Luke 22:15
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 16
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπεθύμησα
I have desired
G1937
ἐπεθύμησα
I have desired
Strong's:
G1937
Word #:
6 of 16
to set the heart upon, i.e., long for (rightfully or otherwise)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
passover
G3957
πάσχα
passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
9 of 16
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
μεθ'
with
G3326
μεθ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
13 of 16
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Cross References
Luke 12:50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke these words as the formal Passover liturgy began, probably just before or during the first cup (the Cup of Sanctification). The traditional haggadah recounted Israel's Egyptian bondage and God's deliverance. Jesus was about to transform this backward-looking memorial into a forward-looking anticipation of Kingdom consummation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' 'earnest desire' to share this meal with the disciples reveal about His heart toward intimate fellowship with believers?
- How should knowing Christ desired communion with His disciples before suffering shape your approach to the Lord's Table?
- In what ways do you cultivate the kind of intimate fellowship with Christ that He clearly values and desires?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Jesus' opening words are emphatic—With desire I have desired (Ἐπιθυμίᾳ ἐπεθύμησα, Epithymia epethymēsa) uses Hebrew intensive construction (cognate dative) conveying passionate longing: 'I have earnestly/intensely desired.' This wasn't duty but deep personal yearning to share this moment with you (μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν, meth' hymōn) before His Passion.
Before I suffer (πρὸ τοῦ με παθεῖν, pro tou me pathein) reveals Jesus' full awareness of coming agony. Pathein (aorist active infinitive of πάσχω, 'to suffer') encompasses the totality: betrayal, arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion. Yet He desired this meal beforehand—intimacy before isolation, fellowship before suffering, communion before sacrifice. His desire wasn't to avoid the cross but to share this covenant meal establishing what the cross would accomplish. Christ's longing for fellowship with His own reveals the Father-heart of God seeking communion with redeemed sinners.