Day 304: Luke 22-24

(The previous post covered the confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders that immediately preceded Jesus' crucifixion.)

Luke 22
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people.
3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

(Satan entered into Judas Iscariot. Satan is not omnipresent, he cannot be in more than one place at a time.)

4 And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

(Satan was in Judas before Judas went to strike the deal for thirty pieces of silver with the chief priests.)

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6 And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7 And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed.

(The Passover lamb was sacrificed and presented in the temple a day before the Passover meal.)

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we make ready?
10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth.
11 And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

(Jesus had Peter and John go to a man who would provide a place for the Passover meal, also known as the Seder.)

13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him.

(The Last Supper occurred a day before the Passover meal.)

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

(Jesus wanted to have this meal with His Disciples before He suffered.)

16 for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

(During the Passover meal, there were four cups of wine. Two were drunk before the meal and two after. The fourth cup represented Praise for the Completion of Everything. Jesus would not drink of this fourth cup until everything was completed in His Father's Kingdom after Final Judgment.)

(Verses 19-20: the Lord's Supper.)

19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.

(The third cup was drunk with the desert bread (Afikomen), and became our communion. The third cup represented Redemption, which was provided for us by Jesus' Blood.)

21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed!
23 And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24 And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.

(The Disciples were still arguing over who was the greatest.)

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth.
28 But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations;
29 and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,
30 that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Those who serve the most will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God.)

31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

(Peter was to be sifted as wheat by Satan.)

32 but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

(The "sifting" was for Peter's long term growth, to get the "chaff" out of him. When Peter converted, he would be able to strengthen the brethren.)

33 And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

(Jesus predicted Peter's denial of Him. Jesus knew the causes within Peter that would lead to Peter betraying Jesus.)

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.
36 And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
37 For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment.

(Jesus referenced Isaiah 53:12.)

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

(Jesus said "It is enough," not because two swords were enough. Jesus was saying that the discussion was concluded and it was time to go to the mount of Olives...)

39 And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was parted from them about a stone's cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,
42 saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

(Jesus was honest with His desire but prayed for God's Will to be done. These events were not predestined. Jesus had to choose to go through with His death.)

43 And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

(An angel from heaven strengthened Jesus because this choice was difficult.)

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

(This choice was so difficult that Jesus was sweating blood. It may be the most difficult part was knowing He would be separated from God the Father. Jesus had never experienced separation from God and every instance He had seen throughout history showed that it was painful.)

45 And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
47 While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49 And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear.

(Peter was the "certain one" who cut off the servant of the high priest's ear according to John 18:10.)

51 But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye them thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

(Jesus healed the man's ear!)

52 And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
54 And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off.

(The men took Jesus while Peter followed from far off.)

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.
56 And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.
57 But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not.

(Peter's first denial.)

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.

(Peter's second denial.)

59 And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean.
60 But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

(Peter's third denial. While Peter was denying Jesus the third time, the rooster crowed.)

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice.

(Peter was close enough to Jesus that Jesus could see him. Jesus looked at Peter after he denied the third time and Peter remembered Jesus' words.)

62 And he went out, and wept bitterly.

(Peter felt such conviction that he wept bitterly.)

63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.
64 And they blindfolded him, and asked him, saying, Prophesy: who is he that struck thee?
65 And many other things spake they against him, reviling him.

(The men that held Jesus struck Him, mocked Him, and blasphemously spoke against Him.)

66 And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying,
67 If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68 and if I ask you, ye will not answer.
69 But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

(Jesus prophesied that after this He would sit on "the right hand of the power of God.")

70 And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71 And they said, What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.

(The Jewish day went from sundown to sundown. Even though it was the next day according to our calendar, it was still the day before the Passover meal which would begin at sundown.)




Luke 23
1 And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

(Jesus was charged with treason against the government.)

3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest.
4 And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.

(Pilate found no fault in Jesus.)

5 But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place.
6 But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And when he knew that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days.

(Pilate tried to avoid condemning Jesus. When Pilate heard Jesus was from a town outside his jurisdiction, Jesus was then sent to Herod.)

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.
9 And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

(Herod asked Jesus many questions but Jesus did not answer.)

10 And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
11 And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate.

(Jesus was sent back to Pilate.)

12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13 And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 no, nor yet Herod: for he sent him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of death hath been done by him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

(Pilate, again trying to avoid condemning Jesus, said Jesus did nothing to deserve death and that Jesus would be chastised and then released!)

17 Now he must needs release unto them at the feast one prisoner.
18 But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: --

(The people asked for Barabbas (a murderer) to be released instead of Jesus.)

19 one who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.
20 And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus;
21 but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him.

(Verse 20 stated Pilate wanted to release Jesus. However, the people were adamant about Jesus being crucified.)

22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.

(A third time Pilate said Jesus was innocent in an attempt to avoid crucifying Jesus.)

23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
24 And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done.

(The people continued yelling so that Pilate gave them what they wanted.)

25 And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will.

(Pilate delivered Jesus "to their will".)

26 And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.
27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

(Even during Jesus' persecution, He still taught and led the people.)

32 And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

(Jesus was crucified in the place called "The skull.")

34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

(Jesus removed all doubt that He did not sin, even when He was being crucified.)

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar,
37 and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(An inscription above Jesus' head was written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. It said:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.)

39 And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

(One thief on the cross humbled himself: he confessed and repented.)

43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

(Jesus told him that that day he would be with Jesus in Paradise. The word "Paradise" described the part of Hades which was the abode of the righteous souls prior to the resurrection. Also known as: Abraham's Bosom - Luke 16:22.)

44 And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

(There were three hours of darkness.)

45 the sun's light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

(Sundown: It was now Passover.)

46 And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.

(Jesus died on Passover in order to be the Passover Lamb for all and have the Torah point the Jews to Jesus. Notice, Jesus "gave up the ghost"...Jesus was intentional until the end. Even when He died, it was His choice to die.)

47 And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

(A centurion saw Jesus give up the ghost and the centurion knew that Jesus was a Righteous man.)

48 And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.
49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood afar off, seeing these things.
50 And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man
51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God:
52 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.
54 And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

(This referenced a high Sabbath, not the weekly Sabbath.)

55 And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

(Then the women rested on the weekly Sabbath day. This meant that Jesus was crucified on our Thursday evening, which would be the beginning of their Friday. Our Thursday evening would be the beginning of their Friday, which was a high Sabbath. Our Friday evening would be the beginning of the weekly Sabbath. This meant, the women would not be able to prepare Jesus' body for burial until Sunday during the day, our Sunday morning, which would have been three nights ( our Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights). Jesus was in the belly of the earth for three days and three nights, just like Jonah was in the belly of the great fish.)




Luke 24
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

(Jesus' body was gone!)

4 And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:
5 and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

(Jesus had risen.)

7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.
11 And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.

(The Disciples did not believe the women.)

12 But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.
13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem.
14 And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

(Jesus appeared to two followers but they did not know it was Him.)

17 And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.
18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass.
22 Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;
23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

(Jesus began with Moses, then all the prophets, and instructed them in all the scriptures, the things concerning Himself!)

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further.

(Jesus acted like He was going to continue walking to see what they would do.)

29 And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them.
30 And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them.

(Jesus ate food. He had definitely resurrected more than just spiritually. Jesus had a physical body.)

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

(The men finally recognized Jesus and then He vanished out of their sight. Jesus went from the physical realm to the spiritual realm.)

32 And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?

(The word "opened" meant "to completely empty like the womb from a firstborn child." Jesus explained everything connected to His time on earth.)

33 And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

(After they realized it was Jesus, they remembered they felt a burning in their heart while they talked with Him. These two believers found the eleven Disciples and told them about seeing Jesus.)

35 And they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.
36 And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

(Jesus went from the spiritual realm to the physical realm while the Disciples were discussing how Jesus went from the physical realm to the spiritual realm.)

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?
39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having.

(Jesus told them to handle Him so that they see that He had flesh and bone, He was physical.)

40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.
43 And he took it, and ate before them.

(Jesus ate in front of them, which also confirmed He was physical.)

44 And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

(Jesus taught the Disciples about Himself from the Torah, the prophets, and the Book of Psalms. There is prophecy in the Book of Psalms.)

45 Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;

(Jesus opened their understanding.)

46 and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 Ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

(Jesus told the disciples to wait until they received power from on high, the Holy Spirit coming on all flesh at Pentecost.)

50 And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.

(The Book of Acts, which was also written by Luke, began up its narrative from the events in this verse.)

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 and were continually in the temple, blessing God.

(The New Testament began with four accounts of Jesus' time on earth. The third of these Gospel Accounts was written by St. Luke. Luke was also known as the beloved physician. It was believed this account was written about thirty years after Christ's death. Luke, like Mark, was not one of the twelve Disciples. His account was a result of research done during that time, which resulted in a more comprehensive and logic based Gospel than the first two accounts. Consequently, we focused on the historical and logical perspectives.)

Day 305

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