Untitled Sermon

The Betrayer

21 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.

22 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

Last Discourse (22:21–38)

> At the Last Supper, Jesus begins his final instruction, revealing his knowledge and control of events. As he prepares for death, he also prepares the disciples for his departure. This discourse is a final testament to them.

> The betrayer comes, as Scripture promises (22:21–23). Jesus teaches that greatness is found in service, not in the way the world leads (22:24–27). In the midst of this call to serve, Jesus notes his authority in receiving a kingdom and promises the Twelve a future rule over Israel (22:28–30), thus providing them fellowship with him and a share in God’s plan.

> In the short term, Peter will deny Jesus, despite the disciple’s emphatic vows of allegiance (22:31–34). Jesus knows the disciples better than they know themselves. The battle with Satan is on, and only Jesus’ intercession will preserve them.

> In addition, rising opposition requires that the disciples prepare themselves (22:35–38). Just as Jesus will suffer, so will the disciples. They think that the call to bear swords is a literal call to war, a misunderstanding that concludes the discourse. Death is coming and so is crisis, but leadership will require faithfulness and service. Through it all, Jesus is aware of all that is happening.

> This passage alternates between actions tied to Jesus’ death and themes of discipleship. Jesus reveals the betrayer and discusses the inevitability of betrayal, which will be judged. Ironically, the disciples’ inquiry about the identity of the betrayer is followed by a dispute over greatness. Jesus redefines greatness as service and illustrates it negatively by the world’s example.

> Greatness does not consist in the exercise or presence of power, but in service. Jesus promises constant trial, but he gives present kingdom authority to the apostles and promises that they will share in the end-time banquet. The Twelve are also promised eventual authority over Israel.

> Opposition comes as Satan engages in efforts to shame the Twelve. Peter is a prime target, and so Jesus will intercede for him. Jesus calls Peter to lead, an act of restoration before his forthcoming lapse. Peter’s false confidence is exposed in Jesus’ prediction of denial. Meanwhile, Jesus’ rejection means change for the disciples, for they must now make their own provision and be prepared to face rejection. Jesus’ own suffering is the initial example and fulfills Scripture. The apostles again lack understanding about what Jesus says, but they will come to understand later.

a. The Betrayer (22:21–23)

i. The Betrayer Announced (22:21)

(NASB95)

21 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.

22:21 Jesus’ approaching suffering is made possible by the act of someone who has been with him from the start. One of the Twelve will betray him. Jesus knows what is happening and announces it to the Twelve.

> This announcement met with concern, as the disciples were finally beginning to sense both from the meal and this remark that Jesus was going to depart. Though the table was designed to portray their oneness, the heart and hand of at least one of them was not sharing in what was happening.

> Jesus’ allusion, of course, is to Judas, whose activity was described in 22:3–6. Judas pictures someone who associates with Jesus, but is not really allied to him. Judas is a model of someone who makes a false profession and false association with Jesus, as his defection reveals his true allegiance.

ii. Destiny and Responsibility (22:22)

(NASB95)

22 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

22:22 Jesus explains his remark about betrayal by placing two elements side by side. First, God’s plan is at work: these events are destined, elsewhere used by Luke in ; ; ; , ; cf. . God knew by design that the Son of Man, Jesus, would be betrayed. These events are no surprise (9:22).

> Second, the betrayer is responsible for his actions and is subject to God’s wrath (indicated by the cry of woe). The betrayer must stand before God to answer for his act of betrayal and rejection.

iii. The Question of Identity (22:23)

(NASB95)

23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

22:23 Jesus’ remark causes speculation among the Twelve about the identity of the one who is about to betray him. It is beginning to dawn on them that Jesus’ situation is serious, and so discussion centers around the identity of the betrayer. But the identity of the betrayer is not all that is on their minds. As the next subunit shows, other irrelevant concerns also preoccupy these disciples.