Luke 22 8

Luke 22:8 kjv

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

Luke 22:8 nkjv

And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."

Luke 22:8 niv

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

Luke 22:8 esv

So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it."

Luke 22:8 nlt

Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together."

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 8 Meaning

Luke 22:8 details a crucial instruction from Jesus to two of His prominent disciples, Peter and John, on the day when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. Jesus commands them to go ahead and make the necessary preparations for the Passover meal. This act underscores Jesus' authority, His prearranged divine plan even amidst impending betrayal, and sets the stage for the solemn institution of the Lord's Supper, where the traditional Passover meaning would be reinterpreted and fulfilled in His sacrifice.

Luke 22 8 Context

Luke 22:8 falls within the narrative of Jesus' final days leading to His crucifixion. The immediate context of Luke 22 begins with the plotting of the Jewish religious leaders to kill Jesus and Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray Him (Lk 22:1-6). The verse specifically occurs on "the Day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed" (Lk 22:7). This was a highly significant day for Jewish people, marking the start of the Passover festival, remembering God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was customary to meticulously prepare for this feast, including the removal of all leaven from homes and the communal sacrifice of the Passover lamb at the Temple, followed by families gathering to eat the Passover meal in specific Jerusalem locations. Jesus, as a devout Jew, observes this tradition, yet subtly redefines it. This preparation, then, is a direct prelude to the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the New Covenant in His blood, transforming the ancient Jewish festival into a prophecy-fulfilling and new covenant-establishing event for His disciples and future believers.

Luke 22 8 Word analysis

• And He sent (Καὶ ἀπέστειλεν - Kai apesteilen):

  • Kai is a common conjunction, linking this action to the preceding statement about the Day of Unleavened Bread.
  • Apesteilen derives from apostellō, meaning "to send away" or "to dispatch." This verb often implies a formal commissioning with authority or purpose, more than just a casual sending. It highlights Jesus' active role in directing events and His authority over His disciples, signifying a delegated task essential to His mission.

• Peter (Πέτρον - Petron) and John (καὶ Ἰωάννην - kai Ioannen):

  • These two disciples are part of Jesus' inner circle (along with James), frequently chosen to accompany Him to pivotal events (e.g., Transfiguration, Gethsemane). Their selection signifies the importance and trust placed upon them for this critical task. Their later prominence in the early church, as seen in Acts and Paul's letters, confirms their foundational role among the apostles.

• saying (εἰπών - eipōn):

  • A participle, indicating that Jesus sent them with instructions. It signifies direct communication and command, underlining that their mission was not left to their own discretion but was divinely appointed and detailed.

• Go (Πορευθέντες - Poreuthentes):

  • This is an aorist participle, meaning "having gone." It emphasizes the necessary preceding action of movement and travel. It's a clear directive for immediate action, not simply a suggestion, highlighting the disciples' obedient response.

• and prepare (ἑτοιμάσατε - hetoimasate):

  • A strong imperative verb meaning "to make ready," "to get in order." This command necessitates active effort and attention to detail. The preparation for the Passover meal was elaborate, involving securing a place, acquiring the lamb, and gathering all the specific elements according to the Law. This preparation is a physical manifestation of readiness for a spiritual covenant.

• for us (ἡμῖν - hēmin):

  • This dative plural pronoun "for us" emphasizes the communal nature of the meal. Jesus includes Himself and the other disciples. It highlights fellowship and shared participation in this sacred feast, anticipating the shared communion of the Lord's Supper.

• the Passover (τὸ πάσχα - to pascha):

  • The definite article to indicates this specific annual Jewish feast, established in Exodus 12. It refers both to the lamb sacrificed and the meal eaten. Its central meaning for the Jews was remembrance of God's redemption from Egypt. For Jesus and the disciples, this would be the final traditional Passover before its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself as the new Passover Lamb.

• that we may eat it (ἵνα φάγωμεν - hina phagōmen):

  • This hina clause indicates purpose: "in order that we may eat." The eating of the Passover meal is the goal of the preparation. This seemingly simple act of eating is foundational, as it becomes the context for the institution of the new meal (the Lord's Supper), transforming a symbol of historical liberation into a sign of spiritual liberation through Christ's body and blood.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He sent Peter and John": This highlights Jesus' sovereignty in choosing His messengers for a crucial mission, and His precise timing and method for the unfolding of His divine plan.
  • "Go and prepare for us the Passover": This phrase embodies obedience to a specific command. It implies that Jesus already has a clear plan, including the location and the process, which He reveals to the chosen few. This action also underscores the reverence for the traditions before transforming them.
  • "that we may eat it": This states the ultimate purpose of the preparation—the communal meal. The meal itself is a core ritual in both the Old and New Covenants, symbolizing communion, remembrance, and the sealing of an agreement. It sets the stage for the most significant meal in human history.

Luke 22 8 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane act of preparing a meal, as commanded in Luke 22:8, belies a profound theological significance. It shows Jesus as both meticulously attentive to the Jewish Law (He observes the Passover as required) and simultaneously in full control of the divine timetable for His Passion. His sending of specific disciples, Peter and John, reflects His practice of involving trusted individuals in critical tasks, signifying their future roles as pillars in the early Christian community. This directive is a profound act of service by Jesus, demonstrating His humility in planning for the last moments with His disciples, before offering Himself as the ultimate Servant-King. It underscores that God's great plans often unfold through small, obedient steps taken by His commissioned agents.

Luke 22 8 Commentary

Luke 22:8 concisely sets the stage for the climactic events of Jesus' earthly ministry, particularly the Last Supper. The command given by Jesus, imbued with His unique authority, directs Peter and John, two key members of His inner circle, to prepare for the Passover. This act is not a mere logistical arrangement but a divinely orchestrated step in the redemptive plan. By explicitly commanding them to "go and prepare," Jesus affirms the immediate and literal observance of the ancient Passover, while simultaneously preparing to redefine its ultimate significance. The inclusion of "for us" underlines the communal aspect of this pivotal meal, emphasizing fellowship and shared participation in the unfolding drama of redemption. The purpose, "that we may eat it," leads directly into the institution of the New Covenant, where the Lamb of God would soon become the very substance of the new Passover. The meticulous preparation of the traditional Passover thus forms the foundational framework upon which Jesus builds the new rite, linking the deliverance from Egypt to the greater deliverance from sin and death through His impending sacrifice.