Jesus handed over to Pontius Pilate ~ Jesus's journey to the Cross in Luke 23
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"Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate." (Luke 23:1)
As you read and study Jesus's trial and sacrifice, we encourage you to take a moment to worship and meditate on who Jesus is with this beautiful song, "Who is That Man?"
The Passover Context: Understanding Luke 22
Before we delve into Jesus's journey to the Cross, we must reflect on the preceding time period, in Luke 22, leading up to Jesus's crucifixion.
Let's begin.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover Connection
"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover." (Luke 22:1)
This verse begins the "passion narrative", the account of Jesus's death and resurrection. The Feast of Unleavened Bread took place immediately following Passover (see Exodus 12:1-20; Deut. 16:1-8). The two feasts were often considered as one. Passover commemorated the night of the tenth plague in Egypt, when the firstborn of Israel were "passed over" and spared by the angel of death. The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated the Exodus (see Ex 12; Lev 23;5,6). Many Jewish pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate these feasts.
The Day of Passover: Timing of Jesus's Betrayal
"Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed." (Luke 22:7)
The synoptic Gospels are very clear that Jesus was betrayed on the day of Passover (see Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper at Passover
"When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.
Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.
And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"
Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 14:30)
The Bread and Wine: Symbols of the New Covenant
In verse 16, Jesus says, "I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled": In the kingdom to come, when final victory is celebrated, Jesus again will eat. (see Rev. 19:9)
In verse 18, Jesus says, "I will not drink of the fruit": As is made clear in verse 16, Jesus will abstain from celebrating a meal until His return.
In verse 19, Jesus says, My body....do this in remembrance of Me": Jesus instituted a new meal which is not only a memorialof His death, but also a fellowship meal of unity. It is a proclamation and a symbol of the believers anticipation of Jesus's return, when all God's promises will be fulfilled (see 1 Cor. 10:16,17; 11:23-26) The Bread of the Lord's Supper represents the body of Jesus, offered on behalf of His disciples.
In verse 20, Jesus says, "This cup is the new covenant": The wine of The Lord's Supper depicts the giving of life, a sacrifice of blood, which inaugurates the new covenant for those who respond to Jesus's offer of salvation (see Heb. 8:8; 13; 9:11-28)
Jesus's Body Given for You: The Substitutionary Sacrifice
This is the strongest substitutionary image in the Gospel of Luke: Jesus died on the Cross in our place and for our sins (see Acts 20:28) Thank you Jesus.
The Betrayal and Trial Before the Sanhedrin
Jesus would suffer as God's plan unfolded, and the one who betrayed Him would face "woe" (Luke 22:22)
Isaiah 53:12 Fulfilled: The Righteous One Suffers
Jesus cited Isaiah 53:12, which describes a righteous one who suffers as a criminal. Jesus noted that His death would fulfill Isaiah's prediction when he said, "this which is written must still be accomplished in Me" (Luke 22:37)
The Son of Man at God's Right Hand: Jesus's Bold Claim
In verse 66, here begins a major morning trial that involved all the Jewish religous leaders, the entire council or Sanhedrin. This trial violated various Jewish legal rules given in later sources: meeting on the morning of a feast; meeting at Caiaphas's home; trying a defendant without defense; and reching the verdict in one day instead of the two days that were required for capital cases. They asked him, "If you are the Christ, tell us".
Jesus made the point that authority would reside with Him from this point on in His reply saying "Hereafter"; which means "from now on" Though He was on trial, in reality He is the ultimate judge. Jesus goes on to say, "..the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God"; Jesus's reply here alludes to the regal enthronement image of Psalm 110:1. This reply is what convicted Him.
Why Jesus's Answer was Blasphemy to the religous leaders
Apparently what offended Jesus's audience was His claim to sit in God's presence and to exercise divine authority. In effect, His answer to their question about being the Christ was more than they expected. It was not blasphemous to claim to be Messiah. What was blasphemous was the claim to be the Judge of the Jewish people, with God's authority. Jesus's remark also implies the hope of vindication. though the people would kill Him, Jesus would end up at God's side. The title of the Son of Man is an allusion to Daniel 7 (see also Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62)
What's Next: Jesus handed over to Pontius Pilate (Luke 23)
In my next post, The King on a Cross , we shall continue along Jesus's journey to the Cross as he was handed over to Pontius Pilate, in Luke 23 and then onto His Glorious Ressurection where He is risen in Luke 24.
God Bless you.