Luke 22:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”

NIV: It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.'

NASB: For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘AND HE WAS COUNTED WITH WRONGDOERS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.'

CSB: For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in me: And he was counted among the lawless. Yes, what is written about me is coming to its fulfillment."

NLT: For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.'

KJV: For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

NKJV: For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”

Jesus is telling the disciples what they should bring on their travels as they spread the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). He has told them to bring money and a bag, and that a sword will be more important than a cloak (Luke 22:35–36).

Scholars debate over why Jesus tells them to take a sword. Some scholars think it is a metaphor to warn the disciples they will be persecuted as He is. They think that when Jesus says He will be "numbered with the transgressors," He is referring to the crucifixion when He will be persecuted unfairly between two thieves.

But it may be that the "transgression" He will be accused of is insurrection. The religious and civil leaders believe Jesus is a "transgressor": lawless, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:12. While Pilate questions Jesus, Jesus tells him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above" (John 19:11). When Pilate tries to release Jesus, the council incites the crowd to threaten Pilate with accusations of treason: "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). Pilate understands the lies in their argument, but he still fears Caesar.

That two disciples carried weapons (Luke 22:38) and Peter cut off the ear of one of their servants (Luke 22:49–51; John 18:10–11) may have emboldened the Sanhedrin to make such accusations. In Jesus speaking of His fulfillment of the first part of Isaiah's prophecy, He also calls to mind the end: "yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34). This would explain why Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away. Jesus may be "numbered with the transgressors," but that doesn't mean He is one.

Luke 22:35–38 contains material unique to this gospel. Jesus updates the instructions He gave in Luke 9:1–6 and 10:1–12. As before, the disciples will travel, spreading the message of the kingdom of God. But they can no longer rely on the kindness of strangers as they build the church (Acts 1:8). Theologians and Bible scholars are typically more concerned about what Jesus means about taking swords. Next, Jesus leads the disciples to the Mount of Olives where He will pray before Judas returns with the soldiers to arrest Him (Luke 22:39–53).

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.