Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 22:14

"And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him." — Luke 22:14 (ASV)

Luke forges a strong link between the Passover and the concept of redemption. This passage also exhibits the strong orientation to the future that characterizes Luke’s gospel.

Both of Jesus’ opening sentences are strongly worded: “I have eagerly desired” (lit., “with desire I have desired”) and an emphatic future negative: “I will not eat” (cf. v.18). Together these sentences convey the depth of Jesus’ feelings at this time and the immense significance of what is taking place. Jesus did partake of the meal when, as the host, he “took” the cup and the bread (vv.17, 19, 20). But he goes on to indicate that he will not eat the lamb (probably) till the coming of the kingdom.

Unlike the other accounts of the Last Supper, Luke mentions a cup before (v.17), as well as after (v.20), the bread. Luke has apparently combined his data from various sources to describe both the Passover setting of the supper (vv.7– 18) and the institution of the Lord’s Supper (vv.19–20). If so, the cup of v.17 may be the first of the traditional four cups taken during the Passover meal, and Jesus’ comments come at the beginning of that meal (see comment on Mt 26:17). This cup was followed by part of the Passover meal and the singing of Pss 113 and 114. Alternately, the cup of v.17 may be the third cup, mentioned here in connection with the Passover setting and again in connection with its place in the Eucharist, on which Luke focuses (v.20).

Jesus’ words in vv.14–18 are significant. The meal is a turning point. Jesus anticipated it; and he likewise anticipates the next genuine meal of its kind that he will eat sometime in the future when the longed-for kingdom finally comes, or, in Luke’s characteristic vocabulary, “finds fulfillment.” The believer in the present age observes the Lord’s Supper “until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).