Luke 22 1

Luke 22:1 kjv

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

Luke 22:1 nkjv

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

Luke 22:1 niv

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,

Luke 22:1 esv

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.

Luke 22:1 nlt

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching.

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 1 Meaning

Luke 22:1 sets the chronological stage for the Passion narrative, indicating that the significant Jewish festival known as the "Feast of Unleavened Bread," also commonly referred to as "the Passover," was imminent. This verse highlights the religious calendar as the backdrop for Jesus' final days, marking a period of intense religious observance in Jerusalem and signaling the culmination of God's redemptive plan through Christ's sacrifice.

Luke 22 1 Context

Luke 22:1 transitions from Jesus' final public teachings (Luke 21) to the critical events of His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. It marks the commencement of what is often called the "Passion Week." Historically and culturally, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were the most significant pilgrimage festivals for the Jews, requiring all males to come to Jerusalem. The city would be teeming with pilgrims, creating a politically charged atmosphere. The temple authorities, including the chief priests and scribes, were actively seeking a way to eliminate Jesus (Luke 19:47-48, 20:19), but they feared the populace. The approach of Passover intensified their urgency, as the massive crowds could either hinder their plans or provide a volatile environment that they wished to control before it led to unrest. This verse thus establishes the timeline for the dramatic events to follow, setting the scene against the backdrop of an ancient feast commemorating national liberation, which would be profoundly redefined by Jesus' impending sacrifice.

Luke 22 1 Word analysis

• Now (Gr. δέ, de): This particle serves as a common connector, signaling a transition in the narrative. It subtly links the previous teachings and pronouncements to the unfolding events of Jesus' passion.
• the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Gr. ἡ ἑορτὴ τῶν ἀζύμων, hē heortē tōn azymōn): Refers to the seven-day festival (Ex 12:15-20, Lev 23:6) immediately following Passover, during which no leavened bread was permitted. This was a direct commemoration of the hasty Exodus from Egypt, where the Israelites did not have time for their bread to rise. The presence of leaven symbolized sin or corruption in Jewish tradition, while its absence signified purity.
• which is called (Gr. ἡ λεγομένη, hē legomenē): This explanatory phrase, typical of Luke, indicates that for his largely Gentile audience, the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" was commonly understood or even used interchangeably with "the Passover." This shows Luke's precision in distinguishing but also his recognition of common usage, or a theological collapsing of the two distinct, though conjoined, feasts.
• the Passover (Gr. τὸ πάσχα, to Pascha): This refers specifically to the sacrifice of the lamb and the memorial meal on the evening of the 14th of Nisan (Ex 12:6, Lev 23:5), commemorating God's "passing over" the homes of the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt. It was a feast of deliverance, profoundly significant for Israel's identity. Its symbolic depth resonates strongly with Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7).
• was approaching (Gr. ἤγγιζεν, ēggizen): The imperfect tense here indicates a continuous action of drawing near. It conveys a sense of imminence and the growing anticipation and tension leading up to these momentous events. It suggests that the time had not fully arrived but was definitively close, creating a sense of urgency.

Luke 22 1 Bonus section

The intertwining of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover in Luke 22:1 subtly foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of these Mosaic covenant celebrations in Christ. The purification rite of removing all leaven from homes before the Feast (Ex 12:19-20) resonates with the call for believers to "purge out the old leaven" (1 Cor 5:7-8) as Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. This deep connection suggests that Jesus' sacrifice not only delivers from judgment (Passover) but also purifies from sin (Unleavened Bread), initiating a new covenant of righteousness. The meticulous care of the religious leaders in preparing for the traditional feasts (e.g., the lamb sacrifice, avoiding leaven) contrasts sharply with their spiritual blindness regarding the true significance of the very events unfolding around them, demonstrating a "shadow" without understanding the "substance" (Col 2:16-17).

Luke 22 1 Commentary

Luke 22:1 concisely sets the crucial chronological framework for Jesus' passion by mentioning the imminent approach of the Jewish Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. While distinct in their initial observances (Passover on 14th Nisan, Unleavened Bread starting 15th Nisan), these two festivals were often collectively referred to as "Passover" due to their immediate proximity and interconnected significance as the first annual pilgrimage feast. Luke's clarification "which is called the Passover" indicates that for his intended audience, possibly less familiar with Jewish nuances, this broader identification was paramount. The mention of this festival signals a heightened period of religious intensity and pilgrimage to Jerusalem, creating a densely populated backdrop for Jesus' final confrontation with the religious authorities. The irony lies in the fact that while the Jews celebrated their liberation from bondage in Egypt, their true Liberator, the ultimate Passover Lamb, was about to be sacrificed. This verse therefore does not just denote a date but profoundly underscores the theological and redemptive context of Jesus' crucifixion within God's sovereign plan for humanity's deliverance.