Luke 22 23

Luke 22:23 kjv

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

Luke 22:23 nkjv

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

Luke 22:23 niv

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

Luke 22:23 esv

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

Luke 22:23 nlt

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

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 23 Meaning

This verse captures the profound bewilderment and distress of Jesus' disciples following His announcement that one of them would betray Him. They turn to each other in mutual confusion, questioning inwardly which individual within their intimate group could possibly commit such a heinous act. This reflects their immediate struggle to reconcile the idea of betrayal from one of their trusted companions with their current understanding of their devoted fellowship.

Luke 22 23 Context

Luke 22:23 is situated immediately after Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, a solemn and profoundly covenantal meal. In verses 19-20, Jesus gives His disciples the bread and cup as symbols of His body broken and blood shed for the new covenant. Following this moment of deep intimacy and spiritual significance, Jesus pronounces a shocking revelation in verses 21-22: "But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table... the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!" This sets the stage for the disciples' distressed reaction in verse 23. The historical and cultural context of dining together signified deep fellowship and trust; betrayal at the shared table was considered a profound act of treachery (echoing Ps 41:9). The disciples, having just shared such a sacred meal, struggle to comprehend how one among them, one of Jesus' chosen Twelve, could possibly be capable of such an act. This leads them to question each other, rather than initially questioning themselves or Jesus directly. This communal confusion stands in stark contrast to the divine purpose unfolding.

Luke 22 23 Word analysis

• And they began to question (καὶ αὐτοὶ ἤρξαντο συζητεῖν - kai auto hyrxanto syzētein):
  • ἤρξαντο (ērxanto) meaning "they began," signifies the immediate and collective nature of their reaction.
  • συζητεῖν (syzētein) means "to discuss, to dispute, to debate, to inquire intently." It suggests a more agitated, perhaps even anxious, exchange among themselves rather than a calm reflection. It conveys perplexity and the attempt to solve a perplexing matter.
• among themselves (πρὸς ἑαυτούς - pros heautous):
  • This phrase indicates an inward-turning reaction within the group. They are looking to each other for answers, reflecting their shared confusion and the internal processing of Jesus' disturbing prophecy. It highlights their shock at the idea that one of their own could be the betrayer.
• which of them it was (τὸ τίς ἄρα εἴη ἐξ αὐτῶν - to tis ara eiē ex autōn):
  • τίς (tis) means "who," denoting inquiry about identity.
  • ἄρα (ara) is a particle often expressing surprise, perplexity, or anxious questioning. Its presence emphasizes the profound uncertainty and the horror of the possibility that one of them, the inner circle, could commit this. It implies a sense of incredulity.
  • ἐξ αὐτῶν (ex autōn) meaning "out of them," clearly points to the group of disciples themselves, amplifying the internal nature of the threat.
• that should do this thing (ὁ μέλλων τοῦτο πράσσειν - ho mellōn touto prassein):
  • ὁ μέλλων (ho mellōn) means "the one who is about to" or "who intends to," highlighting the imminent and certain nature of the betrayal.
  • τοῦτο (touto) meaning "this," refers back directly to Jesus' announcement of the betrayal (v. 21).
  • πράσσειν (prassein) refers to "doing" or "practicing" a deed, implying a purposeful act rather than an accidental mistake. It suggests the intentional nature of the heinous deed.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "And they began to question among themselves": This phrase captures the immediate, internal, and bewildered reaction of the group. Rather than immediately turning to Jesus, their initial response is to look inward, attempting to discern the identity of the betrayer through shared discussion, revealing their collective distress and inability to grasp such a possibility from within their ranks.
  • "which of them it was that should do this thing": This grouping expresses the core of their bewilderment. The horror stems from the idea that someone they knew, lived with, and shared an intimate fellowship with could commit such a grave act of betrayal. It reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of the true depths of sin and self-deception that could reside even in someone outwardly committed to Christ. Their question points to a moral impossibility in their minds, creating profound uncertainty.

Luke 22 23 Bonus section

• The placement of this verse, directly after the institution of the Last Supper, starkly juxtaposes profound covenantal love and intimate communion with shocking betrayal. This contrast heightens the tragic nature of the betrayal, highlighting its gravity.
• Luke's account, by emphasizing the disciples questioning "among themselves," stresses the corporate effect of Jesus' announcement on the group. It implies a general sense of mutual suspicion or perhaps an inability to conceive that one of their own would truly be the betrayer.
• The disciples' questioning signifies their spiritual blindness at this point; they fail to see the darkness already present within Judas (who had already agreed to betray Jesus, Lk 22:3-6) and the profound spiritual reality behind the unfolding events. This also highlights the subtlety of sin, which can hide within the very presence of light until exposed by divine revelation.

Luke 22 23 Commentary

Luke 22:23 vividly portrays the disciples' shock and disorientation after Jesus' declaration of impending betrayal. Their collective reaction of inward questioning, rather than immediate personal introspection (as emphasized in other Gospel accounts), reveals their deep disbelief that any among them, especially after sharing such a sacred meal, could commit such treachery. This highlights their profound struggle to comprehend the depths of human sin and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. They were searching for the 'who,' still blind to the inner workings of spiritual betrayal that could reside even among those closest to the Messiah. This communal confusion also sets the stage for their subsequent self-focused dispute about greatness (v. 24), further emphasizing their spiritual limitations even in a moment of such solemn prophecy.