Luke 22 6

Luke 22:6 kjv

And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Luke 22:6 nkjv

So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Luke 22:6 niv

He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Luke 22:6 esv

So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Luke 22:6 nlt

So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren't around.

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 6 Meaning

Luke 22:6 describes the pivotal moment where Judas Iscariot formally agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests and scribes. Having struck a bargain for money, he actively sought a suitable, discreet opportunity to hand Jesus over, specifically avoiding the large crowds of followers who supported Jesus. This verse marks the beginning of the deliberate and calculated execution of the betrayal.

Luke 22 6 Context

Luke 22 begins with the Passover feast approaching, a time of heightened religious and political tension in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes, the religious authorities, were actively plotting to kill Jesus but feared a public uprising from the multitude (Lk 22:2). Into this atmosphere, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's twelve disciples, directly approaches them. Verse 6 marks the conclusion of their treacherous agreement, showing Judas's commitment to the plot. His actions were specifically aimed at finding a time when Jesus would not be surrounded by his followers, addressing the very concern of the religious leaders. This moment sets in motion the events leading to Jesus's arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

Luke 22 6 Word analysis

• So (Καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting to the previous verse (Lk 22:5), indicating consequence or continuation. It means "and," linking Judas's reception of their offer with his consent.
• he consented (ἐξωμολόγησεν - exhomologēsen): Derived from exhomologeo, meaning to agree, consent, confess, or acknowledge. Here, it denotes Judas's full and formal agreement to the terms proposed by the chief priests and scribes. It is not merely a passive acceptance but an active declaration of his commitment to betray Jesus. This word implies a settled conviction and intention.
• and sought (ἐζήτει - ezētei): From zēteō, meaning "to seek," "search for," "endeavor." The imperfect tense here indicates continuous or repeated action—Judas was actively and continually looking, not merely waiting passively. This highlights his deliberate and calculating nature in planning the betrayal.
• an opportunity (εὐκαιρίαν - eukairian): From eukairia, meaning "a favorable opportunity," "a suitable or convenient time." This emphasizes that Judas wasn't haphazard in his betrayal; he was looking for the optimal moment or circumstance that would allow the arrest to proceed smoothly and without public outcry, precisely what the Jewish leaders desired.
• to betray (παραδοῦναι - paradounai): From paradidōmi, meaning "to hand over," "deliver up," or "betray." In this context, it unequivocally signifies a malicious handing over, an act of treachery. It describes the fundamental act Judas intended to perform.
• Him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers to Jesus. This makes the object of the betrayal explicit and direct.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers back to the chief priests and officers of the temple (Lk 22:4). Judas was actively working with them as their agent.
• in the absence of the multitude (ἄτερ ὄχλου - ater ochlou):
  • in the absence of (ἄτερ - ater): Meaning "apart from," "without," "in the absence of." It stresses the condition under which the betrayal must occur.
  • the multitude (ὄχλου - ochlou): From ochlos, referring to the crowd or mass of people, specifically Jesus's followers who might intervene. This phrase is critical because it reveals the strategic element: both the religious leaders and Judas understood that a public arrest during the feast risked riots. Judas's consent included finding a moment of solitude or limited public visibility for Jesus, demonstrating his awareness of the logistical challenges and his cunning in navigating them for the authorities.

Luke 22 6 Bonus section

The active searching ("sought an opportunity") for a "favorable time" ("eukairia") by Judas is highly ironic. "Eukairia" typically refers to a propitious or divinely appointed moment for good. Here, Judas subverts its meaning by seeking a convenient moment to commit an evil act, demonstrating the corruption of his moral compass. This active pursuit emphasizes Judas's personal agency in the betrayal, even while the Scriptures declare that Satan entered him (Lk 22:3) and that this event was part of God's definite plan and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23). It highlights the theological paradox of human freedom intersecting with divine sovereignty in fulfilling redemptive history.

Luke 22 6 Commentary

Luke 22:6 details the calculated treachery of Judas. It reveals a chilling level of deliberation, as Judas not only verbally consented but actively pursued the "perfect" moment to betray Jesus. This wasn't an act of spontaneous rage but a cold, pre-meditated plan to hand over his master for financial gain (as indicated in Mt 26:15). The phrase "sought an opportunity" signifies that Judas became an active agent, scouting for a discreet time when Jesus was not surrounded by His protective following. This focus on "the absence of the multitude" underscores the fear of the Jewish authorities regarding the popularity of Jesus and their need for a covert arrest to avoid an uproar among the people. Thus, Judas became a crucial facilitator of the preordained events, his free choice to betray aligning paradoxically with God's sovereign plan for the cross.