Luke 22:1 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:1 mean?

Luke 22:1 explains that the Jewish festival called the Feast of Unleavened Bread was approaching, and this festival is also known as the Passover. The verse sets the timing for the events that are about to happen in the story.

Luke, the writer, is describing the days leading up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He is writing for readers who may not be familiar with Jewish customs, so he clarifies that the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover are connected. This verse signals that the coming events take place during an important religious holiday for the Jewish people.

The Greek behind Luke 22:1

• ἑορτή (heortē, "feast"): This word refers to a festival or special religious celebration. Here, it points to the significant annual observance in Jewish life.
• ἄζυμος (azymos, "unleavened bread"): This word means bread made without yeast. It highlights the specific kind of bread eaten during this festival, which recalls the Exodus story.
• πάσχα (pascha, "Passover"): This is the Greek form of the Hebrew word for Passover, the major Jewish holiday remembering Israel’s escape from Egypt. Luke uses this word to help readers connect the timing of Jesus’ final days with this foundational event.

Why Luke 22:1 matters

• Luke 22:1 helps readers unfamiliar with Jewish traditions understand that the events about to unfold happen during a major festival, giving context to the urgency and crowds in Jerusalem.
• The verse shows that the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover were closely linked in practice, even though they were technically separate observances in the Jewish calendar.
• By mentioning Passover, Luke sets up the significance of the coming events, since Passover themes of deliverance and sacrifice will echo in the story of Jesus’ death.