LUKE 22:1–6
THE PLOT TO BETRAY JESUS
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Luke 22:1–6
1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was drawing near,
2 and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
3 Then Satan entered into Judas, the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve,
4 and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss a plan for handing him over to them.
5 They were pleased and agreed to pay him money.
6 He accepted their offer and sought a favorable opportunity to hand him over to them in the absence of a crowd.
Historical and Jewish Context
The Passover commemorated Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt and was the most sacred feast in Jewish life. Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims, intensifying both religious fervor and political tension. The chief priests and scribes feared public unrest if Jesus were arrested openly during the feast. Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, becomes the instrument through whom the leaders could act discreetly. The mention of “Satan entered into Judas” reflects a biblical way of expressing the tragic convergence of external temptation and interior consent. The plan to arrest Jesus away from the crowd underscores the leaders’ concern for control rather than justice.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage reveals the mystery of human freedom confronted by evil. Catholic theology teaches that Satan cannot compel the human will; Judas’ betrayal involves a real moral choice. The drama unfolds within God’s permissive will, not as a defeat of divine providence but as the path through which redemption will be accomplished. The betrayal during Passover intensifies the meaning of Christ as the true Paschal Lamb, whose sacrifice brings definitive liberation. The leaders’ fear of the people contrasts with Jesus’ fearless obedience to the Father. Even amid treachery, God’s saving plan advances.
Parallels in Scripture
Ex 12:1–14 – The original Passover and the blood of deliverance.
Ps 41:10 – “Even my trusted friend… has raised his heel against me.”
Zec 11:12–13 – Thirty pieces of silver associated with betrayal.
Jn 13:2 – The devil influences Judas during the supper.
Acts 1:16–20 – Scripture fulfilled in Judas’ betrayal.
Key Terms
Passover – Feast of deliverance, fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice.
Satan entered – The influence of evil embraced through free choice.
Hand him over – Language of betrayal that anticipates the Passion.
Absence of a crowd – Fear-driven secrecy opposing truth and justice.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage is proclaimed during Holy Week, marking the transition from Jesus’ public ministry to the Passion. It invites the faithful to examine the reality of betrayal, temptation, and fidelity. The Church places this text alongside the Eucharistic narratives to contrast human unfaithfulness with Christ’s self-giving love.
Conclusion
As Passover approaches, opposition hardens and betrayal takes shape. Judas’ decision reveals the tragedy of a disciple who turns away from grace, while Jesus continues steadfastly toward His saving sacrifice. Even in darkness, God’s plan of redemption moves forward.
Reflection
Am I vigilant against small compromises that can lead to greater unfaithfulness?
Do I allow fear, resentment, or self-interest to distance me from Christ?
Jesus invites me to choose fidelity daily and to trust God even when the cost is high.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, guard my heart from temptation and disloyalty. Give me the grace to remain faithful when trials arise and to choose Your will over fear or self-interest. May I walk with You in sincerity and love, especially in moments of testing. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
Luke 22:1–6 marks the dark beginning of the Passion narrative as opposition to Jesus turns into a deliberate plot. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, is approaching—a sacred time recalling God’s saving deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Ironically, as the people prepare to celebrate liberation, their leaders plan the death of the true Liberator. The chief priests and scribes seek a way to kill Jesus, but they fear the people, revealing both their hostility and their insecurity.
At this critical moment, Judas Iscariot enters the scene. Luke states with stark clarity that Satan enters Judas, indicating the spiritual depth of the betrayal. Judas approaches the leaders and agrees to hand Jesus over at an opportune time, away from the crowds. The betrayal is not driven by misunderstanding but by consent to evil. What unfolds is a convergence of human scheming and spiritual darkness, yet all within the mysterious permission of God’s saving plan.
Lk 22:1 — “Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was drawing near.”
With this simple but weighty statement, Luke marks a decisive turning point in the Gospel. The public ministry of Jesus has ended, and the Passion narrative begins. Time itself seems to narrow. The Feast of Unleavened Bread—Passover—is approaching, and with it the hour for which Jesus has come.
Passover is not a neutral backdrop. It is the feast of liberation, remembrance, and covenant. As Israel once recalled deliverance from slavery in Egypt, a greater deliverance is about to unfold. Luke’s wording, “was drawing near,” carries a sense of inevitability. God’s saving plan is moving toward fulfillment, even as human opposition intensifies.
This verse quietly holds together divine providence and human history. The liturgical calendar of Israel becomes the stage for the supreme act of salvation. What the feast remembers symbolically—freedom through the blood of the lamb—will be realized definitively in Christ Himself. The timing is not accidental; it is deeply theological.
For the disciple, this moment invites attentiveness. Familiar rituals can carry new and profound meaning when God acts within them. The approach of Passover signals that suffering, sacrifice, and redemption are inseparably joined in God’s design.
Historical and Jewish Context
Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Ex 12). It was one of the most important pilgrimage feasts, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem and heightening religious and political tension.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church understands Christ’s Passion as the fulfillment of the Passover (cf. CCC 571, 608). Jesus is the true Paschal Lamb whose sacrifice brings definitive liberation from sin and death.
Key Terms
Feast of Unleavened Bread — memorial of haste and purity in Israel’s deliverance
Passover — covenantal feast of liberation through sacrifice
Drawing near — divine timing moving toward fulfillment
Conclusion
Luke 22:1 sets the sacred calendar in motion. As Passover approaches, salvation history converges on Christ, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
Reflection
Do I recognize God’s saving work unfolding even in familiar seasons and rituals of my faith?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, prepare my heart to enter the mystery of Your Passion. Help me to recognize Your saving work and to walk with You in faith and trust. Amen.
Lk 22:2 — “The chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put him to death, but they were afraid of the people.”
This verse exposes the dark resolve forming beneath the surface of Jerusalem’s religious life. As Passover approaches—the feast of liberation—the leaders charged with guiding the people turn toward plotting death. Luke presents their intent with stark clarity: they are no longer debating Jesus; they are seeking to kill Him.
Yet their hostility is restrained by fear. They fear not God, but the people. Jesus’ authority, integrity, and closeness to the crowd prevent open action. This fear reveals a profound contradiction: religious leaders who should act with moral courage are governed by calculation and public opinion. Their authority has become self-protective rather than pastoral.
Luke highlights a tragic irony. The people listen eagerly to Jesus (Lk 21:38), while the leaders, threatened by truth, seek to silence Him. The coming Passion is not the result of misunderstanding, but of deliberate rejection. Human fear and political caution will soon give way to betrayal and violence.
For disciples, this verse is a sober warning. Opposition to Christ often hides behind caution, delay, or concern for appearances. When fear replaces fidelity, even religious structures can become instruments of injustice.
Historical and Jewish Context
Chief priests and scribes held significant religious and social power. During Passover, fear of unrest was intense, making public action against a popular teacher risky.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ’s death was the result of human sin and free choice, yet permitted by God for the sake of salvation (cf. CCC 599–600). Fear and abuse of authority play a central role in the rejection of Christ.
Key Terms
Chief priests — temple authorities responsible for worship
Scribes — experts in the Law
Seeking a way — calculated, deliberate intent
Afraid of the people — fear of losing control and influence
Conclusion
Luke 22:2 reveals the growing divide between truth and power. As Jesus remains faithful to His mission, opposition hardens into deadly resolve.
Reflection
Do I allow fear of others to weaken my fidelity to truth and conscience?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free my heart from fear and compromise. Give me the courage to remain faithful to You, even when truth is costly. Amen.
Lk 22:3 — “Then Satan entered into Judas, the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve.”
This verse marks a chilling turning point in the Passion narrative. Luke shifts the focus from external opposition to interior betrayal. The forces aligned against Jesus are no longer only religious or political; they are now explicitly spiritual. The entry of Satan signals that the drama unfolding is part of a deeper cosmic struggle.
Judas is identified with painful precision: one of the Twelve. This detail intensifies the tragedy. Betrayal does not come from an outsider, but from within Jesus’ closest circle. Luke does not reduce Judas’ action to mere greed or disappointment; he reveals a heart that has become open to the enemy through disordered desire and resistance to grace.
“Satan entered” does not remove Judas’ responsibility. Rather, it shows what happens when a person persistently closes himself to truth. Evil gains influence where fidelity weakens. The verse stands as a sober reminder that proximity to Jesus does not automatically guarantee faithfulness; communion must be lived interiorly.
For disciples, this moment is deeply unsettling. It calls for humility and vigilance. Even chosen disciples must guard their hearts through prayer, repentance, and perseverance. The path of betrayal often begins quietly, long before it becomes visible.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish thought, Satan represents the adversary who opposes God’s saving work. His activity increases at decisive moments in salvation history, especially when covenant faithfulness is tested.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Satan acts in history but never overrides human freedom (cf. CCC 395, 409). Judas’ betrayal involves real personal responsibility, even as it serves God’s salvific plan (cf. CCC 600).
Key Terms
Satan — the adversary opposing God’s plan
Entered — gaining influence through interior consent
Judas Iscariot — disciple who betrays Jesus
The Twelve — those chosen for intimate communion and mission
Conclusion
Luke 22:3 reveals the inner darkness that precedes betrayal. The Passion advances not only through external plots, but through a heart that has turned away from grace.
Reflection
Am I vigilant about the small compromises that can slowly distance my heart from Christ?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, guard my heart against temptation and deception. Keep me faithful in humility and truth, and never let me turn away from Your love. Amen.
Lk 22:4 — “He went off and discussed a plan with the chief priests and the temple guards about how he might hand him over to them.”
This verse moves from interior betrayal to concrete action. What began as an opening to evil now becomes deliberate collaboration. Judas does not act impulsively; he goes off and discusses a plan. Luke emphasizes calculation, intention, and consent. Betrayal is no longer hidden—it is organized.
The presence of the chief priests and the temple guards reveals the seriousness of the plot. These are official representatives of religious authority and enforcement. Judas becomes the crucial link between hostile leaders and Jesus’ private movements. He offers what they lack: access without crowds, knowledge without risk.
Luke’s language is restrained but heavy with meaning. “Hand him over” echoes the deeper theological reality of the Passion. Judas’ action participates in human sin and treachery, yet it will paradoxically serve God’s saving purpose. Still, Luke never diminishes personal responsibility. Judas chooses secrecy over loyalty, negotiation over repentance.
For disciples, this verse is sobering. Betrayal advances step by step—through silence, rationalization, and cooperation with what opposes Christ. Fidelity requires not only resisting evil thoughts, but refusing to act upon them.
Historical and Jewish Context
Temple guards were responsible for maintaining order in the temple precincts. Involving them indicates a planned arrest under religious authority, avoiding public disturbance during Passover.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ freely accepted betrayal and arrest as part of His redemptive mission, while those who acted against Him remained morally accountable (cf. CCC 599–600, 612).
Key Terms
Discussed a plan — deliberate, calculated betrayal
Chief priests — religious authorities opposed to Jesus
Temple guards — agents of enforcement
Hand him over — act of betrayal leading to arrest
Conclusion
Luke 22:4 shows betrayal taking shape through intention and action. What began in the heart now enters history.
Reflection
Do I stop sin at the level of thought, or do I allow it to progress into action?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the grace to resist temptation before it bears fruit. Keep my heart faithful and my choices rooted in truth and love. Amen.
Lk 22:5 — “They were pleased and agreed to pay him money.”
This verse reveals the chilling ease with which betrayal is welcomed. The religious authorities respond not with hesitation or moral struggle, but with satisfaction. Luke’s phrase “they were pleased” exposes the alignment of their intent with Judas’ offer. What should have provoked conscience instead brings relief and approval.
Money enters the Passion narrative quietly but decisively. Luke does not specify the amount here; the focus is not on quantity but on motive. The betrayal of Jesus is reduced to a transaction. Human life, truth, and righteousness are weighed against financial gain, and greed seals the agreement. Judas’ interior compromise now receives external confirmation.
This moment deepens the tragedy. Betrayal becomes mutual and contractual. Evil advances not through chaos, but through agreement. The verse underscores how sin often presents itself as practical, efficient, and advantageous—yet at the cost of conscience and communion.
For disciples, this verse serves as a warning about misplaced values. When material gain becomes decisive, fidelity erodes. The love of money, though seemingly small, can open the door to grave moral collapse.
Historical and Jewish Context
Payments for betrayal or informants were not uncommon in political or religious conflicts. Money here symbolizes calculated cooperation rather than spontaneous violence.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church warns that attachment to wealth can distort moral judgment and lead to grave sin (cf. CCC 2536). Judas’ choice reflects disordered desire overpowering discipleship.
Key Terms
Pleased — moral satisfaction in wrongdoing
Agreed — deliberate consent
Money — material gain replacing fidelity
Conclusion
Luke 22:5 shows betrayal confirmed and rewarded. The Passion advances through human consent shaped by greed.
Reflection
Do I ever allow material concerns or advantage to compromise my loyalty to Christ?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free my heart from attachment to wealth and self-interest. Teach me to choose fidelity over gain and love over convenience. Amen.
Lk 22:6 — “He accepted their offer and sought a favorable opportunity to hand him over to them in the absence of a crowd.”
This verse completes the progression of betrayal with chilling finality. Judas’ interior decision and negotiated agreement now settle into readiness. By accepting the offer, he commits himself fully. Luke presents this not as a moment of confusion, but of resolve. Betrayal becomes a waiting game, attentive to timing and secrecy.
The phrase “favorable opportunity” reveals calculated patience. Judas does not rush; he watches and waits. The goal is clear: to deliver Jesus without public interference. The absence of a crowd is essential, for truth often falls when witnesses are removed. Darkness prefers privacy.
Luke subtly contrasts this secrecy with Jesus’ public teaching in the temple (Lk 21:37–38). While Jesus taught openly before all, betrayal seeks concealment. The movement from light to shadow prepares the reader for the night scenes of arrest, trial, and denial that will soon unfold.
For disciples, this verse is a stark reminder that grave sin often disguises itself as prudence and timing. Waiting for the “right moment” can be a way of silencing conscience. Fidelity requires transparency, courage, and resistance to secret compromise.
Historical and Jewish Context
Crowds during Passover made public arrest dangerous. Authorities feared unrest, so secrecy was essential to their plan.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that while Christ freely accepted His Passion, those who conspired against Him acted with real moral responsibility (cf. CCC 599–600). Human freedom is fully engaged in this moment.
Key Terms
Accepted — full consent to betrayal
Favorable opportunity — calculated timing
Hand him over — act of treachery leading to arrest
Absence of a crowd — secrecy enabling injustice
Conclusion
Luke 22:6 shows betrayal poised for action. What has been planned in secret now waits for night to fall.
Reflection
Do I allow secrecy or timing to justify choices that distance me from Christ?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep my heart transparent and faithful. Give me the courage to choose truth in the light and to resist compromise in secret. Amen.
CONCLUSION
For believers today, Luke 22:1–6 is a sobering reminder of how sacred moments can coexist with grave sin. Religious observance alone does not guarantee fidelity of heart. The passage warns against fear-driven decisions, compromise, and the gradual opening of the heart to betrayal. Judas’ fall did not begin with the act itself, but with an interior surrender to temptation.
At the same time, this passage invites reflection on God’s sovereignty and mercy. Even betrayal cannot derail God’s plan of salvation. The Passion begins not as a failure of Jesus’ mission, but as its fulfillment. God’s redemptive purpose advances even through human sin, not by approving it, but by transforming its consequences into the means of salvation. The Gospel calls believers to vigilance of heart and renewed commitment to faithfulness in times of testing.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, guard our hearts from fear, compromise, and hidden betrayal. Help us to recognize the subtle ways temptation enters and to resist it with faith and humility. Strengthen us to remain faithful to You, especially in moments of trial. May we trust that even when darkness seems to prevail, Your saving plan is at work, leading all who remain faithful into redemption and life. Amen.