Luke 22:30 kjv
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:30 nkjv
that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Luke 22:30 niv
so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:30 esv
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:30 nlt
to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 19:28 | "Truly I tell you, in the new world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." | Direct parallel, emphasizes eschatological judgment |
| 1 Cor 6:2-3 | "Do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels?" | Saints participate in cosmic judgment |
| Dan 7:9-10 | "I watched till thrones were put in place...The court was seated, and the books were opened." | Future judgment involving celestial courts |
| Dan 7:27 | "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High." | Saints receiving dominion |
| Rev 2:26-27 | "To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – 'that one will rule them with an iron scepter...'." | Believers sharing Christ's rule |
| Rev 3:21 | "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne." | Co-reigning with Christ |
| Rev 19:9 | "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." | Fellowship and joy in the kingdom feast |
| Rev 20:4 | "I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge." | Authority of saints in Christ's reign |
| Luke 14:15 | "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God." | Kingdom as a feast |
| Isa 25:6 | "On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine..." | Prophecy of the Messianic feast |
| Luke 12:37 | "Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them." | Christ serving His faithful |
| Matt 8:11 | "I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." | Eschatological fellowship |
| 2 Tim 2:12 | "If we endure, we will also reign with him..." | Endurance linked to co-reigning |
| Rom 8:17 | "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..." | Joint-heirship with Christ |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession..." | Royal status of believers |
| Matt 5:3-12 | The Beatitudes describe blessings for those who embody kingdom principles. | Reward for faithfulness |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..." | Accountability and future rewards |
| Luke 22:28 | "You are those who have continued with me in my trials." | Basis for the apostles' reward |
| John 14:3 | "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." | Future dwelling with Christ |
| Acts 1:6-7 | Disciples ask about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel; Jesus points to the Father's timing. | Messianic Kingdom anticipation |
| Zech 8:23 | Prophecy of nations clinging to the hem of a Jew, recognizing God's presence with Israel. | Universal recognition of Israel's role |
Luke 22 verses
Luke 22 30 Meaning
Luke 22:30 is a profound promise made by Jesus to His loyal apostles concerning their future reward and position in His kingdom. It assures them of intimate fellowship with Him, symbolized by eating and drinking at His table, and bestows upon them authority to rule and administer justice over the entirety of God's chosen people, the twelve tribes of Israel, in the Messianic era. This verse comes directly after Jesus distinguishes His leadership model from that of worldly rulers, emphasizing service and perseverance, and identifies His disciples as those who have continued with Him in His trials.
Luke 22 30 Context
Luke 22:30 occurs during the Last Supper, immediately after Jesus' institution of the new covenant in His blood and a significant dispute among the disciples. Verses 24-27 record the apostles arguing about who among them was the greatest. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach about true greatness found in humble service, contrasting it with worldly rulers. In verse 28, He acknowledges the unique perseverance of His disciples who "have continued with Me in My trials." This verse (22:30) then follows as a direct promise to these loyal followers, signifying their unique and privileged position in His future Messianic kingdom, a kingdom which He implicitly confers upon them in verse 29 ("And I confer on you a kingdom, just as My Father conferred on Me"). The setting is one of intense intimacy before His passion, blending foreboding with glorious future hope for His faithful. It sets their future authority and blessing in contrast to the upcoming betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter, highlighting the rewards of enduring faithfulness.
Luke 22 30 Word analysis
- that you may eat and drink (ἵνα ἐσθίητε καὶ πίνητε - hina esthiēte kai pinēte): This is a purpose clause. Eating and drinking together, especially at a table, symbolizes deep fellowship, intimacy, and shared life. In the ancient world, communal meals were not just for nourishment but were central to social and spiritual bonds, denoting acceptance and participation. Here, it signifies the apostles' inclusion in the innermost circle of Christ's kingdom, sharing in its ultimate joys and blessings. It's a sign of profound communion.
- at My table (ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης μου - epi tēs trapezēs mou): The "table" (τραπέζης, trapezēs) here refers to a banquet table. Sitting at someone's table, particularly a king's or a lord's, signified honor, privilege, and access. It implies the closest possible fellowship with the Lord, as honored guests or family members in His presence. It speaks of divine hospitality, abundant provision, and an unbreakable bond within the sphere of His royal authority.
- in My kingdom (ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ μου - en tē basileia mou): This specifies the realm and context for this promise. The "kingdom" (βασιλείᾳ, basileia) of Jesus is His sovereign reign, which has a present spiritual reality but will culminate in a future, visible, and glorious administration. This phrase anchors the promise in the eschatological hope of Israel's Messiah, fulfilling prophecies of His universal rule. It's not a worldly, political kingdom as the disciples initially expected, but a spiritual and ultimate one where true authority stems from Christ.
- and sit (καθήσεσθε - kathēseshe): This verb means "you will sit," implying a fixed, permanent posture. In a judicial or royal context, sitting signifies holding office, authority, and permanence. It is a position of dignity and power, not merely temporary occupation.
- on thrones (ἐπὶ θρόνων - epi thronōn): "Thrones" (θρόνων, thronōn) are unmistakable symbols of kingship, royal authority, and judicial power. The plural "thrones" confirms the shared nature of this high office among the apostles. This specific imagery ties directly into Old Testament messianic expectations of Israel's restoration and future governance.
- judging (κρίνοντες - krinontes): The participle "judging" (κρίνοντες, krinontes) describes the primary function associated with the thrones. "Judging" here encompasses more than just rendering verdicts; it includes governing, ruling, administering justice, and setting policy. It signifies their active participation in the Messianic reign, exercising Christ's delegated authority. This reflects a profound spiritual and administrative role.
- the twelve tribes of Israel (τὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ - tas dōdeka phylas tou Israēl): "Twelve tribes" refers to the complete nation of Israel, representing God's chosen people in their totality. This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the apostles' future authority—it extends over all of spiritual Israel. The number "twelve" is highly symbolic, mirroring the number of Jacob's sons who founded the tribes, as well as the twelve apostles themselves. It signifies a restored, perfect, and divinely ordered administration for God's covenant people. The context could encompass not just physical Israel but the broader spiritual Israel of the church age (Gal 6:16).
Luke 22 30 Bonus section
The specific promise to the "twelve" implies a unique and foundational role for this core group of disciples, especially relevant as Jesus was establishing the basis of His church and kingdom. While the concept of believers sharing in Christ's reign is universal (Rev 2:26-27), the twelve apostles appear to have a specific, higher administrative role over the renewed Israel (which some scholars see as extending to the church as spiritual Israel) because of their unique eye-witness testimony and foundation-laying role. This verse directly refutes any notion of the apostles abandoning their commitment during trials; rather, it solidifies their enduring reward for faithful continuance. It stands as a powerful motivation for enduring hardship for Christ's sake, as divine vindication and exalted position await the faithful in His kingdom.
Luke 22 30 Commentary
Luke 22:30 encapsulates the ultimate honor and reward promised to the apostles for their steadfast commitment to Jesus through His earthly trials. It reveals a two-fold privilege: intimate fellowship and governmental authority within Christ's established kingdom. The promise of "eating and drinking at My table" underscores a personal, joyous, and everlasting communion with Jesus, a fulfillment of the deep longing for fellowship with God that began at the Last Supper itself, a foretaste of the great banquet in God's eternal presence. This contrasts sharply with the earlier dispute about greatness among the disciples, illustrating that true preeminence in God's kingdom comes from enduring faithfulness and service, not from earthly ambition.
Furthermore, the apostles are promised to "sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." This signifies a position of immense authority, not merely judicial, but administrative and leadership over the complete people of God. This points to a future restoration or ordering of Israel under Messianic rule, with the apostles playing a foundational, authoritative role, reflecting their status as spiritual "princes" of God's new order. Their future roles would be crucial in the spiritual, and possibly even literal, re-ordering and governance of God's covenant people. This prophecy finds direct parallels in other New Testament writings, extending the idea of believers, and especially the apostles, sharing in Christ's royal and judicial reign. It confirms that the suffering and humility of discipleship ultimately lead to glory and exalted position in God's eternal plan.