Luke 22:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

NIV: They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

NASB: And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.

CSB: So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it.

NLT: The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

KJV: And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

NKJV: Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

Jesus and the disciples are celebrating the Passover meal. He has just told the group that one of them will act as a traitor (Luke 22:21–22). They are worried, wondering which one of them He means. Yet their worry takes an interesting, surprisingly humble form. They don't accuse each other of being the betrayer; each disciple is worried that it's himself (Mark 14:19). On some level, they all seem to understand that they have the capability of betraying Jesus.

Luke's version of this revelation is short and to the point. This verse introduces the heart of the chapter. One moment, the Twelve are worried they will betray Jesus. The next, they are arguing over who is the greatest. Jesus uses their debate to teach about proper leadership in God's kingdom. Are they going to rule like the leaders of the world: lording over their people and grasping for power, even while knowing they are capable of great treachery? Or are they going to choose to lead like Jesus, serving each other and eventually being rewarded by Him (Luke 22:24–30)?

After the chapter's core message, Luke presents a parallel to Jesus' warning about Judas. Each disciple is worried that he will betray Jesus; yet all of them will lose faith in Jesus. Only Judas truly betrays Jesus. Only Peter denies Him in a shameful, public way (Luke 22:31–34). But because Peter ultimately stays with Jesus, he does not share Judas's judgment. He will be reconciled to Jesus and return to strengthen the other believers (2 Corinthians 7:10; Luke 23:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5; John 21:15–19).

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.