Luke 22:11 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:11 mean?

Luke 22:11 describes Jesus instructing his disciples to speak to the owner of a house, asking where the room is that the "Master" will use to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. The verse shows Jesus arranging for a private place to celebrate this important meal with his closest followers.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to Peter and John, sending them ahead to prepare for the Passover. The disciples are told to address the "goodman of the house"—the person in charge—and to use the phrase "The Master saith unto thee," signaling that Jesus has already made arrangements. This moment highlights Jesus’ foreknowledge and the careful planning for the Last Supper, a key event before his arrest.

The Greek behind Luke 22:11

• "goodman" (οἰκοδεσπότης, oikodespotēs): This word means the head or master of the house. It points to someone with authority over the household, not just any resident.
• "guestchamber" (κατάλυμα, katalyma): This term refers to a guest room or lodging place, not a public inn but a private space within a home, suitable for a special gathering like the Passover meal.
• "Master" (διδάσκαλος, didaskalos): This is the Greek word for "teacher" or "rabbi," showing the respect and authority Jesus held in the eyes of his followers and others in the community.

Why Luke 22:11 matters

• Luke 22:11 shows that Jesus’ final Passover meal was not a last-minute event but was carefully prepared, emphasizing the importance of the occasion.
• The verse clarifies that Jesus was recognized as "the Master" or respected teacher, which would have carried weight with the house owner and explains why the disciples could make such a request.
• This detail connects to the larger narrative of the Last Supper, setting the stage for the events that follow, including Jesus’ teachings and the institution of communion.