And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

LUKE 22:15KJV
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Luke 22:15 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:15 mean?

Luke 22:15 records Jesus telling his disciples that he has greatly desired to eat the Passover meal with them before he suffers. Jesus is expressing a deep longing to share this important meal with his closest followers, knowing it will be his last before his upcoming suffering.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, the night before his crucifixion. The Passover meal is a central Jewish tradition, and Jesus’ words show both his affection for his disciples and his awareness of the suffering he is about to face. This moment highlights the significance of the meal and the emotional weight Jesus feels as he prepares for what is to come.

The Greek behind Luke 22:15

  • The phrase "With desire I have desired" uses the Greek words ἐπιθυμίᾳ (epithymia, "desire") and ἐπεθύμησα (epethymēsa, "I have desired"). The repetition emphasizes the intensity of Jesus’ longing, showing this is not a casual wish but a deep, heartfelt yearning.
  • The Greek word πάσχα (pascha, "Passover") refers specifically to the Jewish festival meal commemorating the Exodus. This underscores the connection between Jesus’ actions and the deliverance theme of Passover.
  • The verb πάσχω (paschō, "I suffer") points ahead to Jesus’ coming suffering and death, making clear that he knows what lies ahead and is choosing to face it.

Why Luke 22:15 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jesus was caught off guard by his suffering; instead, he is fully aware and embraces this final moment with his disciples.
  • The emphasis on Jesus’ strong desire highlights the importance of the Last Supper as more than just a meal—it is a deeply meaningful event for both Jesus and his followers.
  • Connecting the Passover meal with Jesus’ suffering sets the stage for understanding the significance of his death in the context of deliverance and sacrifice, themes central to both the Jewish Passover and Christian faith.

Where else these words appear

“desired” Greek G1937 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
  • Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
  • 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

“passover” Greek G3957 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
  • Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

“desire” Greek G1939 · used in 37 verses

  • Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
  • 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

“suffer” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.