Luke 22 9
What is Luke 22:9 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Luke chapter 22 - Betrayal, Bread, And The Blood Of The Covenant
Luke 22 documents the transition from the Old Covenant Passover to the New Covenant in Christ's blood during the final meal with His disciples. It articulates the deep struggle of the human will against divine necessity in the garden of Gethsemane and the heartbreaking abandonment by His closest friends. This chapter marks the beginning of the legal and physical assault on the Son of God, setting the stage for the sacrifice that saves.
Luke 22:9
ESV: They said to him, "Where will you have us prepare it?"
KJV: And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
NIV: "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
NKJV: So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?"
NLT: "Where do you want us to prepare it?" they asked him.
Meaning
Luke 22:9 describes the disciples' practical question to Jesus regarding the preparation for the Passover meal. Their inquiry, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?", demonstrates their obedience and dependence on Jesus' specific instructions for this pivotal event. It highlights the logistics involved in observing the Mosaic Law's requirements for the festival, anticipating Jesus' unique plan for this particular Passover.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 22:7-8 | Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it." | Immediate context of Jesus' command to prepare the Passover. |
| Mk 14:12 | On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" | Parallel account in Mark's Gospel. |
| Mt 26:17 | Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" | Parallel account in Matthew's Gospel. |
| Ex 12:8-11 | They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire... eaten in haste. | Original instructions for the Passover meal. |
| Dt 16:5-7 | You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your towns... but at the place that the LORD your God will choose... there you shall boil and eat it... | Law concerning Passover location. |
| Jn 2:25 | He himself knew what was in man. | Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereignty. |
| Mk 14:13-15 | He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you..." | Jesus' specific, prophetic instructions for preparation. |
| Lk 22:10-12 | He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you... He will show you a large upper room furnished; make preparations there." | Fulfillment of Jesus' detailed guidance. |
| Ex 12:21 | Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your clans and kill the Passover lamb." | Historical act of preparing the lamb. |
| Ex 12:26-27 | When your children ask you, 'What does this service mean to you?' you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD...'" | Passover's ongoing memorial significance. |
| Lev 23:5 | In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the LORD's Passover. | Setting for the Passover in Mosaic Law. |
| Lk 22:15 | And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." | Jesus' profound desire for this specific Passover meal. |
| 1 Cor 5:7 | Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump... For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. | Christ identified as the true Passover Lamb. |
| Heb 10:5-7 | Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired... Here I am to do your will, O God." | Jesus' obedience to God's will, linked to His sacrifice. |
| Lk 22:19-20 | And he took bread, and when he had given thanks... saying, "This is my body... This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." | The institution of the Lord's Supper at this Passover. |
| Jn 13:1 | Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world... | Jesus' awareness of the timing of His death and this Passover. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Disciples' obedience rooted in love and loyalty. |
| Col 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you... with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Old Covenant festivals (like Passover) as shadows pointing to Christ. |
| Lk 1:38 | And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." | An example of complete obedience to God's word. |
| Jos 1:16 | And they answered Joshua, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go." | Historical precedent of obedience to a leader's command. |
| Isa 50:4 | The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. | Jesus, as the ultimate teacher, giving specific words. |
| Lk 6:46 | "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" | Emphasis on the importance of obedience to Jesus' words. |
Context
Luke 22:9 occurs as the initial response of the disciples following Jesus' direct command in the preceding verse (Luke 22:8) for Peter and John to "Go and prepare the Passover for us." This verse marks the beginning of the detailed preparation for the Last Supper, a pivotal moment in salvation history. The chapter, Luke 22, focuses intensely on the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion: the plot against Him, Judas' betrayal, the Last Supper (where the new covenant is inaugurated), the Mount of Olives prayer, Jesus' arrest, and Peter's denial. Historically and culturally, the Passover was one of the most significant annual Jewish feasts, commemorating the Exodus from Egyptian bondage. Families would travel to Jerusalem to observe it, offering the Passover lamb in the Temple before eating it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The disciples' question reflects the practical necessity of finding suitable accommodations and making proper arrangements for such a feast, a task that required careful planning and a large enough space for Jesus and the Twelve.
Word analysis
They asked him: (Greek: Εἶπον δὲ αὐτῷ, Eipon de autō)
- Eipon: From eipon, "to say, speak, command." Here, implying a question, a direct inquiry. It follows immediately from Jesus' command, signifying their ready obedience.
- de: A common conjunction, "and," "but," "moreover." Here, it marks a simple transition or a continuation of the narrative flow.
- autō: "To him," referring to Jesus. This underscores that their query is addressed specifically to Jesus, seeking His directive.
"Where: (Greek: Ποῦ, Pou)
- Pou: An interrogative adverb meaning "where?" This simple question expresses a practical need for a precise location for their preparations. It shows they are ready to act but await specific guidance.
do you want: (Greek: θέλεις, theleis)
- theleis: From thelō, "to will, wish, desire, intend." This word is significant. It highlights the disciples are not just asking for a location, but for Jesus' specific will or intention regarding the venue. It implies Jesus has a unique purpose and a preordained place in mind for this crucial Passover.
us to prepare: (Greek: ἑτοιμάσωμεν, hetoimasōmen)
- hetoimasōmen: Aorist active subjunctive, first person plural of hetoimazō, "to prepare, make ready, set in order." The subjunctive mood indicates a question asking for instruction or permission: "Should we prepare?" or "That we may prepare." It emphasizes the act of preparing everything needed for the meal according to tradition.
for you: (Greek: σοί, soi)
- soi: Dative, second person singular, "for you." This makes the preparation intensely personal and Christ-centered. They are preparing it for Him, underscoring His central role in the Passover celebration.
to eat: (Greek: φαγεῖν, phagein)
- phagein: Aorist infinitive of esthiō, "to eat, consume." It clearly states the purpose of the preparation: the meal itself.
the Passover? (Greek: τὸ πάσχα;, to pascha?)
- to pascha: pascha refers to the Passover, the most significant Jewish festival. The definite article to emphasizes it as THE specific, well-known, traditional feast. Its profound significance for Israel (deliverance from Egypt, lamb's sacrifice, blood on doorposts) sets the stage for its fulfillment in Christ.
Words-group Analysis:
- "They asked him, 'Where do you want...': This phrase highlights the disciples' humble posture and reliance on Jesus' divine guidance. They don't presume to know or choose a location but defer entirely to His will, indicative of a learner-teacher relationship in a moment of great importance.
- "...us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?": This cluster of words precisely delineates the task and its beneficiary. It's a collective effort ("us to prepare"), for Jesus' benefit ("for you"), and for a specific, holy purpose ("to eat the Passover"). This preparation points beyond the typical Passover to its ultimate culmination in Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb.
Commentary
Luke 22:9 serves as a bridge, moving from Jesus' command to prepare the Passover to His specific instructions on how and where to do so. The disciples' question, seemingly practical, carries theological weight. It affirms Jesus' authority and their complete dependence on His will, particularly as they anticipate this final, pivotal Passover meal. It signifies a transition: the meticulous adherence to traditional Passover preparations will now converge with Jesus' inauguration of a New Covenant, symbolized by His body and blood. Their query subtly highlights the supernatural aspect of this Passover, as Jesus does not instruct them to find a typical space but rather directs them to an uncanny, pre-arranged setting, signaling His divine foresight and control over even the seemingly mundane details of His Passion. The question also serves to remind the reader that this is not just any meal, but the Passover, the ultimate prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, which the disciples are now obediently helping to arrange.
Bonus section
The seemingly simple question from the disciples reveals a deeply rooted obedience to the Jewish tradition of observing the Passover, intertwined with their developing understanding of Jesus as their Rabbi and Lord. Their "where" query implicitly acknowledges that this specific Passover meal would be distinct, likely understanding its importance and their Master's unique perspective. Their willingness to follow detailed, even unconventional, instructions (as shown in subsequent verses regarding the man with the water jar) underscores their trust in Jesus' guidance over logistical common sense. This immediate and unquestioning response stands in stark contrast to Judas's clandestine betrayal happening simultaneously (Lk 22:3-6), emphasizing the fidelity of most of the disciples to Jesus' immediate commands, even when the specifics remain unknown.
Read luke 22 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
Explore the mystery of the 'Bread of Life' being broken and the 'Cup' being poured out for the remission of sins. Begin your study with luke 22 summary.
In Gethsemane, the 'angel from heaven' appearing to strengthen Jesus highlights the extreme intensity of His spiritual battle, a detail unique to Luke's Gospel. The Word Secret is Agōnia, meaning a struggle or contest, describing a conflict so severe it produced sweat like drops of blood. Discover the riches with luke 22 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Explore luke 22 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines