Luke 22:1
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 22:1
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
Chapter Context
Luke 22 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, wisdom, judgment. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-71: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 22:1
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
Analysis
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. Luke merges the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Greek ἡ ἑορτὴ τῶν ἀζύμων, hē heortē tōn azymōn) with the Passover (τὸ πάσχα, to pascha), reflecting how these originally distinct festivals—Passover on Nisan 14, Unleavened Bread on Nisan 15-21—had become one eight-day celebration in Second Temple practice. The phrase drew nigh (ἤγγιζεν, ēngizen, imperfect tense) emphasizes gradual approach, building dramatic tension as Jesus' 'hour' approaches.
This sets the chronological framework for the Passion narrative, grounding Christ's death in Israel's central redemptive festival. The Passover commemorated the Exodus deliverance when the lamb's blood saved Israel from death (Exodus 12), establishing the typological framework Paul would make explicit: 'Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us' (1 Corinthians 5:7). Luke's Gentile audience would need this Jewish calendar clarification.
Historical Context
Written circa 60-62 AD for Theophilus and Gentile readers unfamiliar with Jewish festivals. Passover commemorated the Exodus (1446 BC), when lambs were slain and blood applied to doorposts. By Jesus' time, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims crowded Jerusalem annually for this weeklong festival.
Reflection
- How does understanding Jesus' death as fulfilling the Passover lamb typology deepen your appreciation of His sacrifice?
- What 'deliverances' in your life point you toward the ultimate deliverance Christ accomplished?
- Why is it significant that God ordained the timing of Christ's death to coincide precisely with Passover?