The New Covenant, Betrayal, and Surrender

What happens in this chapter?

• The religious leaders seek a way to kill Jesus.
• Satan enters Judas, and Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
• Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover.
• Jesus eats the Passover with His disciples.
• Jesus gives the bread as His body and the cup as the new covenant in His blood.
• Jesus says one of them will betray Him.
• The disciples argue about who is the greatest.
• Jesus teaches that greatness means serving.
• Jesus tells the disciples they will sit at His table in His Kingdom.
• Jesus warns Peter that Satan wants to sift him.
• Jesus says He has prayed for Peter.
• Jesus tells the disciples to prepare for coming difficulty.
• Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives.
• Jesus submits to the Father’s will.
• Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
• Jesus stops the sword and heals the servant’s ear.
• Jesus is arrested.
• Peter denies Jesus three times.
• Jesus looks at Peter, and Peter weeps bitterly.
• Jesus is mocked and beaten.
• Jesus is questioned by the council.
• Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man and Son of God.

Explore this chapter

Jump to key lessons

1. Judas agrees to betray Jesus

Luke 22:1-6

Story / teaching

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, is near.

The chief priests and scribes are looking for a way to put Jesus to death, but they fear the people.

Then Satan enters Judas, also called Iscariot, one of the twelve.

Judas goes to the religious leaders and discusses how he can betray Jesus to them.

They are glad and agree to give him money.

Judas then looks for an opportunity to betray Jesus when the crowd is not there.

Meaning

The betrayal comes from inside the circle.

Judas is not a stranger.

He is one of the twelve.

He has heard Jesus teach, seen His miracles, traveled with Him, and shared table fellowship.

Luke also shows the spiritual darkness behind the betrayal:

Satan is involved.

But Judas is still responsible for his choice.

Spiritual evil does not remove human responsibility.

Real-life lesson

Being near holy things does not automatically make a heart faithful.

A person can be near Jesus’ people, teaching, miracles, ministry, and worship, yet still choose darkness.

Honest takeaway

Hidden betrayal can grow while a person still looks like a disciple.

Closeness on the outside is not the same as surrender on the inside.

2. Jesus prepares the Passover

Luke 22:7-13

Story / teaching

Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal.

They ask where He wants them to prepare it.

Jesus gives them specific instructions.

They will meet a man carrying a jar of water.

They are to follow him into the house he enters and speak to the master of the house.

The master will show them a large furnished upper room.

They should prepare the meal there.

They go and find it just as Jesus told them.

Meaning

Jesus is not losing control as the cross approaches.

Even small details are under His knowledge and authority.

The betrayal is coming, but Jesus is still leading.

The Passover setting is deeply important.

Passover remembered God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt through the blood of the lamb.

Jesus is about to reveal Himself as the true Passover Lamb whose blood brings deeper rescue.

Real-life lesson

Jesus is not confused by the moments that confuse us.

Even when darkness is moving, He remains Lord.

What we often miss

The disciples prepare the Passover, but Jesus is preparing something greater.

They are setting a table.

Jesus is about to give Himself.

3. Jesus gives the bread and cup

Luke 22:14-20

Story / teaching

When the hour comes, Jesus sits down with the apostles.

He says He has earnestly desired to eat this Passover with them before He suffers.

He takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them.

He says:

This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.

Then He takes the cup after supper and says:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Meaning

Jesus gives the Passover its deepest meaning.

The bread points to His body given.

The cup points to His blood poured out.

His death will establish the new covenant, meaning the promised new relationship between God and His people.

Jesus is not simply being killed.

He is giving Himself.

“Do this in memory of me” means His followers are to keep remembering His saving death.

Communion is not empty ritual.

It brings believers back to the body and blood of Christ given for them.

Real-life lesson

The center of Christian faith is not our performance, but Jesus’ self-giving.

We remember Him because salvation comes through what He has done, not what we achieve.

What we often miss

Jesus says He desired this meal before He suffered.

He is not emotionally detached.

He wants to share this covenant meal with His disciples before the cross.

Expanding / explaining Luke 22:19-20

Jesus gives the bread as His body and the cup as the new covenant in His blood.

This means His death is the foundation of salvation.

His body is given for sinners, and His blood is poured out to establish the new covenant promised by God.

Super simple meaning:

Jesus gives Himself so people can be forgiven and brought into covenant with God.

4. Betrayal at the table

Luke 22:21-23

Story / teaching

After giving the bread and cup, Jesus says that the hand of the one betraying Him is with Him on the table.

He says the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom He is betrayed.

The disciples begin questioning which of them could do this.

Meaning

Jesus’ death is both God’s plan and human sin.

“The Son of Man goes as it has been determined” means the cross is not an accident.

But “woe to that man” means Judas is still guilty.

God’s sovereignty does not excuse betrayal.

Real-life lesson

God can use even evil actions in His plan, but evil is still evil.

This helps us avoid confusion.

The cross is God’s saving purpose, but Judas’s betrayal is still wicked.

Honest takeaway

Being part of God’s plan does not make sinful choices innocent.

Judas is responsible for betraying Jesus.

5. True greatness means serving

Luke 22:24-27

Story / teaching

The disciples begin arguing about which of them is considered to be greatest.

Jesus tells them that the kings of the nations lord it over people, and those who have authority over them are called benefactors.

But it must not be like that among His disciples.

The greatest must become like the younger, and the one who leads must become like one who serves.

Jesus says He is among them as one who serves.

Meaning

The timing is shocking.

Jesus has just spoken about His body given, His blood poured out, and betrayal.

The disciples are arguing about status.

Jesus corrects their idea of greatness.

In His Kingdom, greatness is not domination, ego, rank, or being served.

It is humble service.

Jesus Himself is the model.

He is Lord, yet He serves.

Real-life lesson

The closer we get to the cross, the more ridiculous status-chasing looks.

If Jesus gives Himself for sinners, His followers cannot build life around ego, position, and recognition.

Honest takeaway

A disciple can sit at the table with Jesus and still think too much about personal greatness.

That is a serious warning.

6. Jesus promises Kingdom honor

Luke 22:28-30

Story / teaching

Jesus tells the disciples that they are those who have continued with Him in His trials.

He confers on them a Kingdom, as the Father conferred one on Him.

They will eat and drink at His table in His Kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Meaning

Jesus corrects their pride, but He does not erase their future hope.

The disciples are weak, but they have continued with Him.

Jesus promises future participation in His Kingdom.

This is grace.

Their honor comes from His gift, not their greatness.

Real-life lesson

Jesus can correct pride and still encourage hope.

God’s Kingdom does include reward, honor, and responsibility, but these are gifts from Christ, not trophies of self-importance.

What we often miss

Jesus speaks Kingdom promise while knowing they will soon fail.

His grace is stronger than their weakness.

7. Jesus warns and prays for Peter

Luke 22:31-34

Story / teaching

Jesus says:

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat.

But Jesus says He has prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail.

And when Peter has turned again, he must strengthen his brothers.

Peter says he is ready to go with Jesus both to prison and to death.

Jesus answers that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny three times that he knows Him.

Meaning

This is one of the most personal and powerful moments in the chapter.

Satan wants to sift Peter, meaning to shake him violently and expose weakness.

Peter is confident, but Jesus knows the truth.

Yet Jesus does not only predict failure.

He has already prayed for Peter.

He also speaks of Peter turning back and strengthening others.

Peter’s failure will be real, but it will not be final.

Real-life lesson

Jesus knows your weakness before pressure exposes it.

That should humble us.

But Jesus also intercedes for His people.

That gives hope.

What we often miss

Jesus does not say:

If you turn again.

He says:

When you have turned again.

Jesus already sees restoration beyond failure.

Expanding / explaining Luke 22:31-32

Jesus tells Peter that Satan wants to sift him, but Jesus has prayed for him so that his faith may not fail.

Peter will fail badly, but Jesus’ prayer means failure will not be the end.

After turning back, Peter will strengthen others.

Super simple meaning:

Peter is weak, but Jesus is praying for him and will restore him.

8. Let your will be done in Gethsemane

Luke 22:39-46

Story / teaching

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives, as usual, and His disciples follow Him.

He tells them to pray that they may not enter into temptation.

Then Jesus withdraws from them, kneels down, and prays:

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.

Luke says an angel from heaven appears to Him, strengthening Him.

In agony, Jesus prays more earnestly, and His sweat becomes like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

When He rises from prayer, He finds the disciples sleeping because of grief.

Again, He tells them to rise and pray that they may not enter into temptation.

Meaning

Jesus faces the cross with real agony.

The cup points to the suffering and judgment He is about to bear.

Jesus does not pretend it is easy.

He brings His desire honestly to the Father.

But He submits fully:

Not my will, but yours, be done.

This is perfect obedience.

Not cold.

Not fake.

Not emotionless.

Deep sorrow and total surrender meet in Jesus.

Real-life lesson

Real faith can pray honestly and still surrender.

You can tell the Father what you desire.

You can ask for the cup to be removed.

But mature faith ends with trust:

Your will be done.

Honest takeaway

The disciples sleep when they should pray.

Spiritual weakness often shows up when sorrow, pressure, and temptation are near.

Jesus tells them twice to pray.

Expanding / explaining Luke 22:42

Jesus prays:

Not my will, but yours, be done.

This is not passive hopelessness.

It is active surrender to the Father.

Jesus honestly asks if the cup can pass, but He chooses the Father’s will above His own human desire to avoid suffering.

Super simple meaning:

Jesus trusts and obeys the Father even when obedience is painful.

9. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss

Luke 22:47-53

Story / teaching

While Jesus is still speaking, a crowd comes, and Judas leads them.

Judas draws near to kiss Jesus.

Jesus says:

Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?

The disciples ask if they should strike with the sword.

One of them strikes the servant of the high priest and cuts off his right ear.

Jesus says:

Let me at least do this.

Then He touches the servant’s ear and heals him.

Jesus then speaks to the chief priests, officers of the temple, and elders who have come against Him.

He says they came with swords and clubs as against a robber, though He was with them daily in the temple.

But He says this is their hour and the power of darkness.

Meaning

The kiss makes the betrayal especially painful.

A sign of friendship becomes a tool of betrayal.

Jesus names the evil plainly.

The disciples respond with violence, but Jesus stops it and heals the wounded enemy.

Even in arrest, He remains merciful.

The hour of darkness is real, but it is limited.

Darkness acts, but it does not control Jesus.

Real-life lesson

Jesus’ way is not defended by sinful methods.

His followers cannot use violence, panic, revenge, or fleshly reactions to protect His Kingdom.

What we often miss

Jesus heals someone from the arresting group.

His mercy is active even toward those involved in His suffering.

10. Peter denies Jesus three times

Luke 22:54-62

Story / teaching

They arrest Jesus and bring Him into the high priest’s house.

Peter follows at a distance.

People light a fire in the courtyard, and Peter sits among them.

A servant girl sees him and says he was with Jesus.

Peter denies it.

A little later, someone else says he is one of them.

Peter denies it again.

About an hour later, another person insists that Peter was with Jesus because he is a Galilean.

Peter says he does not know what they are talking about.

Immediately, while he is still speaking, a rooster crows.

The Lord turns and looks at Peter.

Peter remembers Jesus’ words and goes out and weeps bitterly.

Meaning

Peter’s denial is heartbreaking.

He really loved Jesus, but fear exposed his weakness.

He followed at a distance, sat among the wrong crowd, and denied the Lord he had promised to die for.

Jesus’ look is powerful.

It is not described as hatred.

It is the look that brings Peter back to truth.

Peter breaks and weeps.

Real-life lesson

Failure often begins with distance.

Peter does not stop caring about Jesus, but he follows at a distance and then collapses under pressure.

Honest takeaway

Sincere love is not enough without humble dependence.

Peter meant his promise.

He still fell.

11. Jesus is mocked and questioned

Luke 22:63-71

Story / teaching

The men holding Jesus mock Him and beat Him.

They blindfold Him and demand that He prophesy who struck Him.

They say many other insulting things against Him.

When day comes, the elders, chief priests, and scribes gather and bring Jesus before their council.

They ask if He is the Christ.

Jesus says that if He tells them, they will not believe, and if He asks them, they will not answer.

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

They ask if He is the Son of God.

Jesus answers:

You say it, because I am.

They say they need no further testimony, because they have heard it from His own mouth.

Meaning

Jesus is mocked as powerless, but He speaks of His coming exaltation.

The leaders think they are judging Him.

But Jesus reveals that He will be seated at the right hand of God’s power.

He is the rejected Son of Man, but He will be exalted.

The council hears enough to condemn Him in their eyes, but Luke has shown again and again that Jesus is innocent and righteous.

Real-life lesson

People may mock Jesus when He seems weak, but His glory is not gone.

The cross is coming, but so is resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.

Honest takeaway

Religious leaders can sit in judgment over Jesus while actually being judged by their response to Him.

Important honest note

Luke 22:19b-20, the longer wording about Jesus’ body given and the cup as the new covenant in His blood, has a textual discussion because some early Western manuscripts have a shorter reading. Most modern Bibles include the longer wording, and it fits strongly with early Christian teaching about the Lord’s Supper. The main meaning remains clear: Jesus gives Himself through His death.

Luke 22:43-44, where an angel strengthens Jesus and His sweat becomes like drops of blood, is included in many manuscripts, but some early manuscripts do not include it. Many Bibles include it with a note. The scene fits Luke’s emphasis on Jesus’ real agony and prayer, but it should be handled honestly.

When Jesus tells the disciples to buy a sword, Christians understand the detail differently. In context, Jesus is preparing them for coming hostility and showing that Scripture about Him being “counted with transgressors” must be fulfilled. When they use a sword during the arrest, Jesus stops it. So this should not be used to justify violence in Jesus’ name.

Main messages

• Judas shows the danger of hidden betrayal.
• Jesus remains in control as the cross approaches.
• The Last Supper points to Jesus’ body and blood given for sinners.
• The new covenant is established through Jesus’ death.
• God’s plan does not excuse human betrayal.
• True greatness means serving.
• Jesus prays for Peter before Peter fails.
• Peter’s failure is real, but not final.
• Jesus shows honest sorrow and perfect surrender in prayer.
• Jesus rejects violence and heals an enemy.
• Peter’s denial shows human weakness under pressure.
• Jesus is mocked, but He will be exalted at God’s right hand.

Simple life lessons

• Do not confuse outward closeness with true surrender.
• Remember Jesus’ body and blood with seriousness and gratitude.
• Stop chasing greatness through status.
• Serve because Jesus serves.
• Stay humble about your weakness.
• Trust that Jesus intercedes for His people.
• Pray when temptation is near.
• Tell the Father your desire, but surrender to His will.
• Do not defend Jesus with sinful methods.
• If you fail, let Jesus’ look bring you back to repentance.
• Follow Jesus closely, not at a distance.