Luke 22:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’

NIV: and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’

NASB: And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, 'Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'?’

CSB: Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?"’

NLT: say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’

KJV: And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

NKJV: Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’

Jesus and the disciples have been in the Jerusalem area for about a week (John 12:1). Jesus has been spending His days teaching in the temple courtyard and His nights sleeping on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37). The disciples have witnessed Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and many debates where Jesus destroyed the arguments of the religious leaders (Luke 19:28–46; 20). It's almost understandable if they've forgotten why they're there: to celebrate the Passover Feast.

Jesus hasn't forgotten. He has been longing to have this moment with the disciples (Luke 22:15).

To prepare for the Passover Feast, the disciples must get a lamb, sacrifice it in the temple, and find bitter herbs, unleavened bread, fruit, and wine. On top of all that, they need a place to celebrate.

A proper site for the meal is the biggest obstacle. When Jesus tells Peter and John to prepare the meal, the location where they will eat dinner is their only question. Jesus gives them curious instructions: go into Jerusalem. By the gate, find a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him to a house (Luke 22:8–10).

The man should be easy enough to find; typically, it is the job of women to carry water. The man must be a servant if he is doing it. That means he doesn't own the house. So, it's reasonable for Peter and John to find and ask the homeowner if they can use a room.

Not only does the homeowner have a room, but it's already furnished (Luke 22:12). Peter and John do as Jesus says and go on to have one of the most important nights of their lives.

Luke 22:7–13 is a preparation. The Sanhedrin has prepared for Jesus' arrest, and Judas is prepared for his betrayal of Christ (Luke 22:1–6). Now, Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare for the Passover dinner. The disciples have witnessed Jesus' supernatural knowledge, so of course they follow His oddly specific instructions and find a room already prepared for them. Matthew 26:17–19 and Mark 14:12–16 also record the preparations.

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.