Luke 22:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

NIV: But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.

NASB: But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.

CSB: But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me.

NLT: But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.

KJV: But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

NKJV: But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.

Jesus and the disciples are celebrating Passover. Jesus is re-introducing to them the concept of new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34): the promise that because of His sacrifice, those who have faith in Him will be cleansed of their sins and reconciled to God (Romans 3:23–25). Now, Jesus breaks the news that this promise will not be accepted by everyone (John 3:36).

The Gospel writers had different themes and emphases as they recorded Jesus' life. The same is true of this moment. Matthew focuses on Judas's identity as the betrayer; Mark on the curse Judas is under; John on Judas's actions.

In the mirror-like structure of Luke 22—called a "chiasm"—this passage introduces the heart of the chapter. Will the disciples be worldly leaders, like Judas, or servant leaders, like Christ? This passage leads up to that discussion. One of their number will walk away in a shockingly vile way. In the companion passage, Jesus gives a parallel warning: all the disciples will succumb to fear over faith; one, Peter, in a shocking way (Luke 22:31–34).

The fates of the two players are distinctive. Judas receives a "woe": a cry of lament for the judgment of his soul (Luke 22:22). He will later kill himself (Matthew 27:3–10). Peter will publicly denounce Jesus (Luke 22:54–62). But then, as a foil for Judas, his sorrow will lead to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10) and restoration (John 21:15–19) and lead the others to a renewed faith (Luke 22:32).

Matthew 26:23 says, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me." That may mean Jesus and Judas shared a place setting, specifically a bowl of oil with bitter herbs (Psalm 41:9; Exodus 12:8; Numbers 9:11).

Luke 22:21–23 records the first of three events at the Last Supper which prove the world needs Jesus to die for us. The first is Judas's betrayal. Judas receives the Passover bread and wine, but he rejects Jesus' flesh and blood for forgiveness. He leaves to gather the soldiers and servants to arrest Jesus later in the night (Luke 22:47–53). Shortly after, the disciples argue over who is greatest and Jesus reveals the disciples will abandon Him and Peter will deny Him (Luke 22:24–34). Matthew 26:21–25, Mark 14:18–21, and John 13:21–30 also record Jesus' warning about Judas.

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.