Luke 22:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

NIV: He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

NASB: And so he consented, and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him to them away from the crowd.

CSB: So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.

NLT: So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

KJV: And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

NKJV: So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

The Pharisees have been trying to destroy Jesus for three years (Mark 3:6). The chief priests joined them when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This incredible display of God's power made Jesus even more popular with the people, and the religious leaders want Him gone (John 11:45–53). They tried to discredit Jesus with accusations and theological debates, but Jesus bested them every time—making the people love Him even more (Luke 20). The growing crowds around Jesus have a double effect: the leaders are more desperate to get rid of Him, but they're also more afraid for their own safety (Luke 22:2).

Suddenly, Judas, one of Jesus' closest twelve disciples, shows up and presents an offer. He will help them identify Jesus far from adoring crowds if they pay him. The leaders are so relieved they rejoice and agree to a price (Luke 22:3–5). Judas consults with the temple guard and carefully monitors Jesus' movements to choose the best time.

Judas is a bad person with bad motives. Even when Jesus chose him, He knew he was "a devil" (John 6:70). But despite his motives and planning, he gives the impression of someone without much initiative. It seems he planned to betray Jesus but didn't take actual steps until Satan possessed him (Luke 22:3). Despite his attempts to find a good time to bring the temple guards to Jesus, it is Jesus who tells him when to go and Satan who gets him to move (John 13:27). Judas proves to be an example of Matthew 5:22, which ties anger with murder. Even if Judas lacks the courage to act on his own, his hatred allows Satan to use him as an accessory to Jesus' murder.

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.