Meaning of Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1 situates the reader at a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry: the cusp of the Passover festival, a time deeply significant for Jewish history and religious observance. The phrase "Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover" highlights the interconnectedness of these observances. Passover, commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage, was intrinsically linked to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed and lasted for seven days. This temporal proximity underscores the theme of liberation and new beginnings, which would soon find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. The approaching festival signals that the events about to unfold are not random occurrences but are deeply rooted in God's redemptive plan, aligning with ancient prophecies and the very essence of the Passover narrative.

Context and Background

The Passover (Pesach) was the most important of the Jewish festivals, instituted by God in Exodus 12 as a memorial of the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, was averted for the Israelites by the blood of a lamb applied to the doorposts of their houses. This lamb was then eaten as part of a meal, accompanied by unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) began the day after Passover and lasted for seven days, during which no leaven (yeast) was allowed in the home, symbolizing purity and haste. Luke 22:1 places Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem during this critical period, as the religious authorities were also converging for the festival. This timing is crucial, as the Passover lamb was typically sacrificed in the Temple, and Jesus' actions and teachings during this week would take place within this charged atmosphere.

Key Themes and Messages

This verse introduces the overarching theme of fulfillment. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is about to become the ultimate Passover sacrifice. The themes of liberation, atonement, and new covenant are powerfully evoked by the mention of Passover. The liberation from Egypt prefigures the spiritual liberation from sin and death that Jesus' sacrifice will achieve. The Passover lamb's blood protected the Israelites; Jesus' blood will protect believers from eternal condemnation. The impending festival also sets the stage for the institution of the Lord's Supper, which Jesus will establish as a new covenant remembrance meal.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The approaching Passover festival serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His plan of redemption throughout history. For Christians, Jesus' impending sacrifice, occurring during Passover, transforms the ancient festival into a celebration of His finished work. The spiritual application lies in understanding Jesus as the true Passover lamb whose blood cleanses us from sin. We are called to partake in the Lord's Supper, remembering His sacrifice and the new covenant He established, which offers liberation from the bondage of sin and the promise of eternal life.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Luke 22:1 is a crucial link in the chain of biblical prophecy and fulfillment. The Passover narrative in the Old Testament foreshadows the work of Christ. From the initial Passover in Egypt, through the various Passover sacrifices and celebrations described in the Law, to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, the theme of redemption through a sacrificial lamb is a consistent thread. This verse bridges the Old Covenant, symbolized by the Exodus and the Mosaic Law, and the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus' blood. It highlights Jesus as the climax of God's redemptive history, fulfilling the deepest meaning of the Passover.

Analogies

One analogy for the approaching Passover is like a kingdom preparing for a grand coronation. The entire nation is abuzz with anticipation, preparing for a momentous event that will usher in a new era. Similarly, the Jewish people were preparing for Passover, a festival that celebrated a past liberation and a hopeful future. However, the true "coronation" that Jesus' arrival during this festival heralds is one of cosmic significance—the inauguration of a new reign of grace through His sacrifice.

Another analogy is that of a physician preparing a life-saving antidote. The disease (sin) has been rampant, and the antidote (Jesus' blood) has been prepared and is now being administered at the appointed time, during the season of remembrance of a past deliverance (Passover).

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is directly connected to numerous other passages, most notably:

• Exodus 12: The institution of the Passover and the Passover lamb, which Luke 22:1 implicitly references and fulfills.
• John 1:29: John the Baptist's declaration, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This identifies Jesus as the ultimate Passover lamb.
• 1 Corinthians 5:7: Paul's explicit statement, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This verse directly links Jesus to the Passover symbolism.
• Luke 22:14-20: The institution of the Lord's Supper, which occurs during this Passover week and directly reinterprets the Passover meal in light of Jesus' impending sacrifice.
• Hebrews 9-10: These chapters extensively explore the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, particularly the Passover, and argue for Jesus' superior and final sacrifice.