Luke 22 4

Luke 22:4 kjv

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Luke 22:4 nkjv

So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.

Luke 22:4 niv

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

Luke 22:4 esv

He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.

Luke 22:4 nlt

and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 4 Meaning

Luke 22:4 reveals the treacherous intent of Judas Iscariot as he initiates secret negotiations with the religious authorities of Jerusalem. Driven by dark motivation, he approached the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard, offering to surrender Jesus to them. This action highlights the dark spiritual forces at play, meticulously orchestrating the delivery of the Son of God into the hands of those who sought to kill Him, while simultaneously revealing human depravity and spiritual blindness.

Luke 22 4 Context

Luke chapter 22 recounts the final moments leading up to Jesus's arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The broader context of the chapter is the imminent Passover festival in Jerusalem, a time when the city was teeming with pilgrims, many of whom admired Jesus. Verse 2 reveals that the chief priests and scribes were actively seeking a way to kill Jesus but feared a popular uprising if they acted openly. This fear drove their need for a secretive and discreet arrest. Into this conspiratorial atmosphere steps Judas Iscariot. The preceding verse (Luke 22:3) explicitly states that Satan entered Judas, explaining his sudden, deliberate shift from disciple to betrayer. Luke 22:4 directly follows, showing Judas acting upon this demonic influence, taking the initiative to consult with those who sought Jesus's life, demonstrating the intersection of human free will, demonic instigation, and divine sovereignty in fulfilling prophecies.

Luke 22 4 Word analysis

• So he went (καὶ ἀπελθὼν - kai apelthōn): "He" refers to Judas Iscariot. The verb "apelthōn" (from ἀπέρχομαι aperchomai) means to go away, depart. This is not a casual walk but a decisive movement driven by intent. It indicates Judas taking the initiative, an active and deliberate step towards the betrayal, separating himself from the other disciples for this clandestine purpose.
• and discussed (συνελάλϵσεν - syneilalesen): This is from the verb συνλαλέω (synlaleō), meaning to speak with, confer, consult. It implies a joint conversation or deliberation, suggesting that the betrayal was not an impulsive act but the result of negotiation and planning between Judas and the authorities. This consultation indicates a deliberate strategizing session for the specific purpose of capture.
• with the chief priests (τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσιν - tois archiereusin): These were the highest-ranking Jewish religious leaders, primarily from the wealthy Sadducee faction, who controlled the Temple administration and significant political power within Judea. They were determined opponents of Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their authority and the Roman status quo. Their role in the conspiracy was paramount.
• and officers (καὶ στρατηγοῖς - kai stratēgois): In the context of the Jerusalem Temple, the stratēgois were "temple captains" or "chiefs of the temple guard." These were Levite officials responsible for maintaining order within the Temple courts and commanding the temple police force. Their involvement indicates that the arrest was planned as an official, if illicit, operation with the necessary force and knowledge of the Temple layout. Their participation highlights the complicity of those responsible for upholding order and religious sanctity in a profound act of injustice.
• how he might betray (τὸ πῶς αὐτὸν παραδῷ - to pōs auton paradō):
  • how (pōs): Denotes the method, suggesting a strategic discussion of the practicalities—the best time, place, and manner for Jesus's capture without inciting public disturbance.
  • he might betray (παραδῷ - paradō): From the verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi), which literally means "to hand over," "deliver up," or "yield." While "betray" (in the sense of treachery) is its clear implication here given Judas's role, the deeper theological significance of paradidōmi is crucial: Jesus was delivered up (often translated as "betrayed" or "handed over") not just by Judas, but by the religious authorities, by Pilate, and ultimately by God the Father Himself, for the redemption of humanity (Rom 8:32, Acts 2:23). This word encapsulates both the wickedness of human action and the divine will in the atoning work of Christ.
• him to them (αὐτὸν αὐτοῖς - auton autois): "Him" refers to Jesus. "Them" refers to the chief priests and officers. This concise phrase starkly states the objective of the clandestine meeting: the transfer of Jesus from the protective fold of His disciples into the hands of His enemies.

Luke 22 4 Bonus section

• The initiation for this consultation appears to be on Judas's side, as opposed to the authorities approaching him first, indicating the depth of his internal shift after Satan's entry (Luke 22:3).
• The timing of this discussion, just before the Passover, was crucial. The authorities sought to avoid an arrest during the festival crowd, but Judas's offer of a quiet delivery mechanism removed this constraint, allowing their plot to advance rapidly.
• The "officers" were integral for the actual physical apprehension and confinement of Jesus, representing the official coercive power available to the Sanhedrin.
• This verse underscores the judicial corruption of the religious leaders, as they conspiratorially sought to eliminate an innocent man, violating Mosaic Law principles they claimed to uphold.

Luke 22 4 Commentary

Luke 22:4 is a concise but potent verse that marks a critical turning point in the Passion narrative. It details the active role Judas took in facilitating Jesus's arrest, underscoring his willing complicity in the evil design. This verse should not be seen merely as a transaction of a person but as a conspiracy against divine truth. The chief priests and officers, who were supposed to uphold righteousness and the Law, became partners with a betrayer, prioritizing their corrupt authority and fear over God's revelation in Christ. The word "betray" (deliver up) foreshadows the ultimate surrender of Jesus for the sins of the world, highlighting that even human malice served a greater, sovereign divine purpose. The private, secretive nature of this consultation also starkly contrasts with Jesus's open teachings and ministry, exposing the clandestine and insidious methods employed by the powers of darkness working through human instruments.