Luke 22:15 – “And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus expresses His deep desire to share the Passover meal with His disciples before His suffering begins. His words reveal both His humanity and His awareness of the significance of the moment. Jesus knows that this is not just any meal—it’s the Last Supper, where He will explain the meaning of His death and establish the new covenant.
The phrase “eagerly desired” (sometimes translated as “earnestly desired”) highlights the emotional weight of the moment. Jesus is about to face betrayal, abandonment, and death, but His focus is on sharing this sacred time with His disciples. The Passover meal, which commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, is now being transformed into a celebration of God’s ultimate act of deliverance through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Historical Context
The Passover was a central event in Jewish life, commemorating the night when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The meal included symbolic foods, such as lamb (representing the sacrifice), unleavened bread (symbolizing the haste with which they left Egypt), and bitter herbs (reminding them of their suffering in slavery).
By Jesus’ time, the Passover had been celebrated for over a thousand years, but its full meaning was about to be revealed. Jesus, as the true Passover Lamb, would be sacrificed to deliver humanity from slavery to sin. His words in this verse indicate that He fully understood His role in fulfilling the meaning of the Passover.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals the depth of Jesus’ love for His disciples and His commitment to God’s plan of salvation. Despite knowing that He would suffer and die, Jesus eagerly anticipated this meal because it represented the fulfillment of God’s plan. His willingness to face suffering demonstrates His obedience to the Father and His love for humanity.
Theologically, this verse points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover. Just as the original Passover lamb was sacrificed to save the Israelites, Jesus would be sacrificed to save all who believe in Him. His death would bring forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life, making this meal a turning point in history.
The phrase “before I suffer” highlights the purpose of Jesus’ suffering. It wasn’t meaningless pain—it was part of God’s redemptive plan. Through His suffering, Jesus would take the punishment for sin, bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s use of the phrase “eagerly desired” emphasizes the emotional and spiritual significance of the moment. This isn’t a casual meal—it’s a deeply meaningful event that carries the weight of Jesus’ mission. The repetition of desire suggests that Jesus had long anticipated this moment, knowing that it was part of God’s divine plan.
The contrast between the warmth of the meal and the looming betrayal and suffering creates dramatic tension. The setting is one of fellowship and love, but the readers know that it will soon be interrupted by betrayal, arrest, and death. Luke’s narrative invites reflection on the meaning of Jesus’ actions and words, showing that even in the face of suffering, He is focused on fulfilling His mission of love and redemption.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 12:1-14 – The institution of the Passover, which Jesus fulfills through His death.
- John 1:29 – John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 – Paul calls Christ “our Passover lamb,” who has been sacrificed.
- Matthew 26:26-29 – A parallel account of the Last Supper, where Jesus explains the new covenant through the bread and wine.
- Isaiah 53:5 – The prophecy of the suffering servant, who would be pierced for our transgressions.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. He eagerly desired to share the Passover meal with His disciples because He knew that it symbolized the salvation He was about to bring. Believers can find comfort in knowing that Jesus willingly faced suffering out of His love for them.
This verse also highlights the importance of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) for Christians. Just as Jesus eagerly anticipated sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, believers should approach Communion with a sense of reverence and gratitude. It’s a time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice, reflect on His love, and renew our commitment to Him.
Additionally, this verse teaches Christians to trust God’s plan, even when it involves suffering. Jesus knew what was ahead, but He trusted that God’s plan would result in redemption and victory. In the same way, believers can trust that God is working through their trials for His purposes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is at the heart of this verse. The fact that Jesus eagerly desired to share this meal shows His deep love for His disciples and His desire to prepare them for what was coming. God’s love is also seen in the bigger picture—this meal is part of His plan to rescue humanity through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Jesus’ willingness to suffer is a demonstration of God’s sacrificial love. God didn’t abandon humanity to sin and death. Instead, He sent His Son to take on that suffering, providing a way for people to be forgiven and reconciled to Him. The Last Supper, and Jesus’ desire to share it, is a reflection of God’s desire for relationship and fellowship with His people.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly connects to Jesus’ mission as the Savior. His eager desire to share the Passover meal reflects His understanding of its significance. He is the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice will fulfill the purpose of the Passover and establish the new covenant.
The fact that Jesus anticipated this moment “before I suffer” shows that His suffering wasn’t an obstacle—it was the pathway to redemption. His suffering and death were central to His mission, and He willingly embraced them for the sake of humanity.
The meal itself points to Jesus’ role as the mediator of the new covenant. During the meal, Jesus will break the bread and share the cup, symbolizing His body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20). His actions at the Last Supper establish a practice that believers continue to observe today, remembering His sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Jesus’ eager desire to share the Passover meal reflect His love for His disciples and for you personally?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of trusting God’s plan, even when it involves suffering?
- How can you approach the Lord’s Supper (Communion) with a deeper sense of gratitude and reverence?
- In what ways can Jesus’ willingness to face suffering encourage you in your own trials?
- How does understanding Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?
This verse is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ love, His willingness to suffer for our sake, and the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. As believers reflect on this moment, they are invited to trust in God’s timing, rest in His love, and live in gratitude for the sacrifice that brought them eternal life.