And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
LUKE 22:14KJVWhat does Luke 22:14 mean?
Luke 22:14 describes the moment when Jesus and his twelve apostles gather together at the appointed time to share a meal, which is known as the Last Supper. The verse sets the scene for an important event where Jesus will speak openly with his closest followers before his arrest.
The setting is a private room in Jerusalem, and Jesus is speaking to his twelve chosen apostles. This meal takes place during the Jewish festival of Passover. The verse highlights the deliberate timing ("when the hour was come") and the presence of all twelve apostles, signaling the importance and intimacy of what is about to happen.
The Greek behind Luke 22:14
- ὥρα (hōra, "hour"): This word often means a specific, appointed time. Here, it emphasizes that what is about to happen is not random, but planned and significant.
- ἀπόστολοι (apostoloi, "apostles"): The Greek term means "sent ones" or "messengers." Luke uses this word to highlight the special role of these twelve men as Jesus' chosen representatives.
- συν (syn, "with"): This word stresses the togetherness of Jesus and the apostles, underlining the unity and shared experience of this moment.
Why Luke 22:14 matters
- Luke 22:14 makes it clear that the Last Supper was not a casual meal, but a carefully chosen moment with all twelve apostles present, setting the stage for the important teachings and actions that follow.
- The verse helps readers see that Jesus was in control of the timing and setting, emphasizing the purposeful nature of the events leading up to his crucifixion.
- This gathering marks the beginning of the events that Christians remember as the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Communion, connecting the verse to a central practice in many Christian traditions.