What does Luke 22:14 mean?

The original Passover feast was eaten standing, dressed for travel as the Israelites had to flee Egypt that night (Exodus 12:11, 33–37). As with other feasts at the time of Jesus, the disciples celebrate while reclining on couches. The switch represents that the Jews are free and safe and can eat at leisure.

The "hour" is twilight. The lamb is to be slain at the temple court in the afternoon, then roasted. It is to be eaten the next "day;" since in the Jewish calendar days start at twilight, the dinner begins when the sun goes down.

When we read of Jesus' ministry and see that He is with "the disciples," that often means the greater number of followers. In Luke 10:1, He sent seventy-two to minister to people. In Acts 1, about one hundred and twenty people waited for the Holy Spirit. In some cases, Jesus is with just the Twelve. Here, Luke calls them "apostles," which is how Theophilus (Luke 1:1–4) would know them.

This verse can be taken as one of Luke's asides which introduces a section. John includes a great deal more about this night, including Jesus washing the disciples' feet, a long discourse about what His leaving means, and the High Priestly Prayer (John 13—17). Luke alone includes an argument about who is the greatest (Luke 22:24–30). Disputes over greatness occurred more than once; Matthew and Mark include similar discussions earlier (Matthew 18:1–4; 20:24–28; Mark 9:34–35; 10:41–45). Luke also records instructions for travel the other Gospel writers do not include (Luke 22:35–38).