Passover prepared and shared
Luke 22:1–23FocusThe meal and coming betrayal
Connection to the wholeThe betrayal plot and Passover preparations lead to Jesus' words over the meal and announcement of betrayal at the table.
interpretation Luke 22:61
KJVAnd the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Read it in context
Denial and interrogation
Start reading at Luke 22:54 (Luke 22:54 to Luke 22:71).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter denies Jesus while Jesus endures abuse and examination, moving the narrative toward the charge presented to Pilate.
- 22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
- 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
- 22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
- 22:57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
- 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
- 22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
- 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
- 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
- 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
- 22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
- 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
- 22:65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
- 22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
- 22:67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
- 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
- 22:69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
- 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
- 22:71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 22:1–22:71): Jesus shares the supper with the apostles and prays on the Mount of Olives; Judas, the arresting party, Peter, household servants, and the council appear in later scenes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Denial and interrogation. Read Luke 22:54 through Luke 22:71 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Peter denies Jesus while Jesus endures abuse and examination, moving the narrative toward the charge presented to Pilate. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Denial and interrogation (Luke 22:54 to Luke 22:71). Start reading at Luke 22:54. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 22:54, Luke 22:71, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
Peter denies Jesus
Parallel accounts
Compare the details without assuming the same grouping of speakers in each account.
Related passages
- turned Luke 10:41 Mark 5:30
- looked Job 33:27 Isa 57:15-18 Jer 31:18-20 Hos 11:8 Acts 5:31
- And Peter Ezek 16:63 Ezek 36:31-32 Eph 2:11 Rev 2:5
- Before Luke 22:34 Matt 26:34,75 John 13:38
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 22
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The disciples are instructed
Luke 22:24–38FocusService, failure, and coming change
Connection to the wholeJesus answers rivalry, warns Peter, and prepares the disciples for a changed situation as His suffering approaches.
interpretation Prayer and arrest
Luke 22:39–53FocusSubmission under trial
Connection to the wholeThe garden prayer leads to arrest, contrasting Jesus' submission and restraint with the disciples' weakness and violence.
interpretation FocusFailure beside faithful testimony
Connection to the wholePeter denies Jesus while Jesus endures abuse and examination, moving the narrative toward the charge presented to Pilate.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.