The Passover Fulfilled: Christ's Covenant Sacrifice
The Passover meal becomes the covenant meal through Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice.
Luke 22:7–23 (BSB)
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked.
10 He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters,
11 and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’
12 And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.
15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.
16 For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.
18 For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.
21 Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.
22 Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”
23 Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.
What is the big idea of Luke 22:7–23?
The Passover meal becomes the covenant meal through Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice.
How does Luke 22:7–23 point to Christ?
Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, gives His body and sheds His blood to establish the new covenant; through faith in His atoning death and resurrection sinners receive forgiveness and covenant redemption.
How does Luke 22:7–23 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
On the day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, Jesus instructs Peter and John to prepare the Passover. He expresses earnest desire to eat this Passover before He suffers. Taking bread, He gives thanks, breaks it, and says, 'This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' After supper He takes the cup and declares it the new covenant in His blood, poured out for many. Yet He announces that the hand of the one betraying Him is with Him at the table. The Messiah consciously reinterprets the Passover around Himself, identifying His impending death as covenant-establishing sacrifice.
Authorial Intent
To show that Jesus fulfills Passover and inaugurates the new covenant through His sacrificial death.
Literary Context
Following Judas’ agreement to betray (22:1–6), this section inaugurates the passion proper. It precedes the dispute among the disciples and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial (22:24–34).
Chapter: Luke 22
The Passover Betrayal, the New Covenant Meal, and the Suffering Servant King
Jesus willingly gives himself as the Passover-fulfilling new covenant Savior, submits to the Father’s will in suffering, intercedes for failing disciples, and confesses his identity as the enthroned Son of Man and Son of God.