Knowing The Word in Luke 22:1-2

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people.

Comments

Luke has many parallels with the other Synoptic Gospels throughout the crucifixion story, although he has original material as well. Interestingly, he shares some information with John that emphasizes the innocence of Jesus that Matthew and Mark do not have. In regard to the date of the Passover, Numbers 28:16 states that the Passover is the 14th day of the first month and on the 15th day is a feast, namely the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The four gospels all agree that the crucifixion happened on a Friday, but the Synoptics have the Passover on Thursday while John has the Passover on Friday while the lambs are being slaughtered in the temple at the same time Jesus is dying on the cross. It is interesting that none of the Synoptics mentions a lamb as part of the Last Supper as it was the central part of the meal.

Luke shows that the chief priests and scribes took the initiative in killing Jesus, not the Roman authorities. Yet, they feared the reaction by the people and therefore came up with a careful plan to arrest him and bring him to trial.

Application

God designed the sacrificial system around the temple and the Levites, from whom come the priests who offered the sacrifices. It is important that they, and not the Romans, are behind the crucifixion of Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice offered by the chief priest. In John 11:49-52 we read: “But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’ He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” God’s plan for the priesthood culminated in Caiaphas and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the cross and the great gift freely given to us in Jesus.