Luke 22:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 22:7
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
Chapter Context
Luke 22 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of creation, wisdom, covenant. 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 essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. 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 22:7
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
Analysis
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. The temporal marker then came the day (ἦλθεν δὲ ἡ ἡμέρα, ēlthen de hē hēmera) shifts to Nisan 14, the Day of Preparation. When the passover must be killed (ἐν ᾗ ἔδει θύεσθαι τὸ πάσχα, en hē edei thyesthai to pascha) uses divine necessity language—edei ('it was necessary') indicates theological inevitability, not mere custom.
Thousands of lambs were slaughtered that afternoon in the temple courts (Josephus records 256,000 lambs for one Passover). Each lamb had to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5), inspected by priests, killed between 3-5 PM ('between the evenings'), blood drained and sprinkled. The lamb's death substituted for the firstborn's death. As these lambs died, the true Lamb of God prepared for His sacrifice. The typology becomes explicit: Christ our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) would be inspected by authorities, found without blemish (Luke 23:4, 14, 22), and die at the ninth hour (3 PM, Luke 23:44) as temple lambs were being slain.
Historical Context
Passover lambs were killed on Nisan 14 (Thursday afternoon by Jewish reckoning which began sundown), then eaten after sundown (which began Nisan 15, technically the first day of Unleavened Bread). The distinction between 'Passover day' and 'Feast of Unleavened Bread' had blurred in common usage, though technically distinct in Leviticus 23.
Reflection
- How does the 'must be killed' language for the Passover lamb foreshadow the divine necessity of Christ's death?
- What significance do you find in Jesus' death occurring at the exact time temple lambs were being sacrificed?
- How does understanding Christ as the fulfillment of Passover transform your understanding of communion?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Exodus 12:18