Luke 22:14-16

The Lord’s Supper

22:14 Now ¹  when the hour came, Jesus ²  took his place at the table ³  and the apostles joined ⁴  him. 22:15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired ⁵  to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 22:16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again ⁶  until it is fulfilled ⁷  in the kingdom of God.” ⁸ 

[22:14]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[22:14]  ² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[22:14]  ³ tn Grk “reclined at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.

[22:14]  ⁴ tn Grk “the apostles with him.”

[22:15]  ⁵ tn This phrase parallels a Hebrew infinitive absolute and serves to underline Jesus’ enthusiasm for holding this meal (BDF §198.6).

[22:16]  ⁶ tn Although the word “again” is not in the Greek text, it is supplied to indicate that Jesus did indeed partake of this Passover meal, as statements in v. 18 suggest (“from now on”). For more complete discussion see D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1720.

[22:16]  ⁷ sn Jesus looked to a celebration in the kingdom to come when the Passover is fulfilled. This reference could well suggest that some type of commemorative sacrifice and meal will be celebrated then, as the antecedent is the Passover sacrifice. The reference is not to the Lord’s supper as some argue, but the Passover.

[22:16]  ⁸ sn The kingdom of God here refers to the kingdom in all its power. See Luke 17:20-37.