Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 22:52

"And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?" — Luke 22:52 (ASV)

Verse 52 gives details regarding the makeup of the crowd—religious, political, and military leaders. These details suggest Luke’s emphasis that it was not the believing Jews who brought about Jesus’ crucifixion but their arrogant leaders. Jesus’ comment shows the underhanded nature of their act. The word “hour” (GK 6052) here designates a time of opportunity or destiny. The verb “reigns” represents the noun exousia (“power,” “authority”; GK 2026). Satan had previously offered Jesus exousia in the Temptation (4:6); but Jesus, who after obediently going to the cross would receive “all authority” (exousia) from the Father (Matthew 28:18), was willing to have Satan exercise his authority for a time under God’s plan of salvation.