Luke 22 – When Darkness Reigns
Icebreaker: In times of crisis, do you stay cool, get hot, panic, dig in or something else? Do you have an example?
Note: Parallel passages in the other Gospels (in parenthesis) are given for reference, but do not need to be read by the group. The question will not rely on the parallel passages unless otherwise indicated.
Read Luke 22:1-6 Judas agrees to betray Jesus: (Matthew 26:1-5,14-16; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11) Because of the crowds, the chief priests and teachers of the law could not find a way to get rid of Jesus until Judas Iscariot, possessed by Satan, came to them to discuss a way to betray Jesus. They promised to give Judas money and he promised to look for a way to hand Jesus over when there were no crowds.
- Why didn’t the chief priests and teachers of the law arrest Jesus while He taught in the Temple? (Luke 21-37-22:2, Matthew 26:5) What benefit did they gain by agreeing to use Judas?
- Why would Satan choose Judas to enter? (John 6:64, 70)
- What is the danger of allying ourselves to unbelievers? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)
- Practically, how can we maintain relationships with unbelievers (family, friends, work) without allowing them to influence our decisions?
Read Luke 22:7-38 The Last Supper: (Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-31; John 13-17) Jesus gave unusual instructions to the disciples for preparing for the Passover (7-13). He shared the first communion with his disciples (14-20), revealed his betrayal (22-23), commissioned the Disciples to lead by serving (24-30), foretold Peter’s denial before the rooster crows and his return, (31-34),and declared that Isaiah 53 was reaching its fulfillment in Him (35-38).
5. Why do you think Jesus would have the Passover arranged in such an unusual way? (7-13)
6. Why would Jesus eagerly desire to eat this Passover with the disciples? (14-18)
7. How did Jesus re-purpose the meaning of the bread and the meaning of the cup during the Last Supper? (19-20) What is the significance of these new meanings? (Hebrews 9:15)
8. Why do we practice this today?
9. In what way does Jesus change the paradigm of leadership among Christians? Describe a time you witnessed this type of leadership? (24-30)
10. Extra Credit: Jesus makes a reference to Isaiah 53:12 in verse Luke 22:37. What are some of the ways Jesus would fulfill the prophesy in Isaiah 53?
Read Luke 22:39-53 Jesus Prayed and is Betrayed on the Mount of Olives: (Matthew 26:30, 36-46; Mark 14:26, 32-42; John 18:1-12) Jesus prays for God’s will to be done as he suffers in anguish, sweating drops of blood while his disciples sleep instead of praying that they won’t fall into temptation. Then Judas brings a crowd, including the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard and the elders to arrest Jesus. Judas betrays him with a kiss. Jesus heals the severed ear of the High Priest’s servant.
11. Compare and contrast the prayer Jesus asked the disciples to pray and the one he prayed. (40,42)
12. When faced with temptation and difficult moments, how can these prayers be helpful for us?
13. How did Judas know where Jesus would be? (Luke 22:39)
14. What was Jesus’ reaction to the betrayal and arrest? What was the reaction of those following Jesus?
15. How do you react when you are confronted, especially without cause?
Read Luke 22:54-71 Jesus’ Trial before the Jewish Leaders (Matthew 26:57-27:2, Mark 14:53-15:1, John 18:13-27) Jesus was seized and taken to the high priest. Peter followed at a distance and was confronted three times that he was a follower of Jesus and he denied it three times before the rooster crowed as predicted by Jesus. The guards mocked and beat Jesus. Then at daybreak the council of elders interrogated Jesus and determined he was blaspheming by not denying that He was the Son of God.
Note: The pre-trial hearings were held by the Jewish leadership of the entire Sanhedrin including the previous and present High Priests, chief priests (Sadducees and Pharisees), and the elders.
16. Jesus foretold Peter’s denial and his subsequent restoration to lead the Disciples (31-34, 54-62, John 21:15-21). How does it help us to know that God is aware that we will sin, but he is able to restore us and use us for His kingdom?
17. Why would it have been fruitless for Jesus to offer a defense in this hearing? (Luke 22:67-68)
18. What was Jesus claiming by his response in Luke 22:69? (Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 110:1)
19. How does his claim affect our faith?
Summary: The Jewish leaders (and Satan) used Judas to betray and arrest Jesus. Although the leaders thought Jesus would be unaware, he knew every step and prepared his disciples through the Last Supper, teaching and prophesying the coming events that would end in the rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish leaders.
20. In what ways does Jesus prepare us for overcoming and prevailing during difficult and unforeseen events?
21. What do you think Jesus meant by “This is your hour-when darkness reigns”? (Luke 22:53) What comfort can we gain by knowing that even though darkness may appear to be reigning for a moment, God reigns for an eternity?