Luke 22:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

NIV: and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

NASB: And the chief priests and the scribes were trying to find a way to put Him to death, since they were afraid of the people.

CSB: The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the people.

NLT: The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

KJV: And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

NKJV: And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees and Herodians sought to destroy Jesus in Galilee (Mark 3:6). When Jesus' influence reached Jerusalem, more leaders, including priests, scribes, and Sadducees, joined the fight. Luke mentions their efforts after the triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:47–48). John indicates the tipping point came when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45–54). In fact, Lazarus's resurrection was such a powerful display of Jesus' power and had such an effect on the people that the chief priests sought to kill Lazarus, as well (John 12:9–11).

Because of Jesus' popularity, His enemies are forced to consider their strategy. Their fear of the common people proves they aren't really in control. They can't be directly associated with Jesus' death. Their goal is to get the Romans to do the dirty work.

Luke mentions the "chief priests and the scribes." Matthew includes the "elders of the people" (Matthew 26:3). The elders are typically non-religious businessmen. They may have owned some of the booths that Jesus cleared from the temple Court (Luke 19:45–46). "Chief priest" as used in the New Testament is not a God-ordained position. The "high priest" is the single priest supervising the temple for that year. Chief priests are typically former high priests or relatives of the high priest who have political influence. At this time, Caiaphas is the high priest but Annas, his father-in-law, holds the power. Besides Caiaphas, five of Annas's sons become high priest after him. When chief priests, scribes, and elders are mentioned together, the reference is to part, if not all, of the Sanhedrin—the religious ruling council of the Jews.

In Luke 22:1–2, the Sanhedrin prepares for Jesus' arrest. In Luke 22:3–6, Judas prepares for his betrayal. Next, Jesus will prepare for the Passover meal (Luke 22:7–13). Luke 22:1–2 is essentially a restatement of Luke 19:47–48 and a continuation of Luke 21:37–38. The leaders have lacked a secret place to capture Jesus, where crowds cannot object. Judas's betrayal is what they need. Judas will lead them to Jesus in the quiet dark of night, away from the public. Matthew and Mark also record this turn of events (Matthew 26:1–5, 14–16; Mark 14:1–2, 10–11).

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.