Luke 22:1-6 Meaning: Betrayed as the Passover Lamb Approaches
1Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.
2The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
3Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve.
4He went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.
5They were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6He consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people.
3And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.
5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
1And the feast of the unleavened food was coming nigh, that is called Passover,
2and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they may take him up, for they were afraid of the people.
3And the Adversary entered into Judas, who is surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve,
4and he, having gone away, spake with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might deliver him up to them,
5and they rejoiced, and covenanted to give him money,
6and he agreed, and was seeking a favourable season to deliver him up to them without tumult.
1Now the feast of unleavened bread, which [is] called the passover, drew nigh,
2and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariote, being of the number of the twelve.
4And he went away and spoke with the chief priests and captains as to how he should deliver him up to them.
5And they were rejoiced, and agreed to give him money.
6And he came to an agreement to do it, and sought an opportunity to deliver him up to them away from the crowd.
Meaning in one sentence
In Luke 22:1-6, as Passover nears, religious leaders plot to kill Jesus and Judas agrees to betray Him. The timing points to Jesus as the true Passover Lamb.
Context
Luke is the only Gospel writer who explains the Passover feast for readers unfamiliar with Jewish customs. He notes that the feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, was drawing near. In Jerusalem, the religious leaders had been trying to trap Jesus for months. Now they meet to plan his death, but they hold back because they are afraid of the crowds, who still support him.
At that same moment, something darker stirs. Satan enters Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples closest to Jesus. Judas leaves the circle and goes directly to the chief priests and the temple captains. He negotiates a deal to hand Jesus over when no crowd is present. They are delighted and promise him money. Judas agrees and begins watching for the right chance.
The Passover setting is not just a date on the calendar. It is the season when every Jewish family recalls the lamb whose blood marked their doors and saved them from death. Luke places the conspiracy and betrayal within that frame, letting readers sense that a greater deliverance is about to unfold.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight of this passage. The first is Satanas, Satan, meaning adversary. Luke says Satan eiserchomai (entered) into Judas. This is the same verb used of a person walking into a house. Here it pictures an invasive influence that took hold of Judas's heart. The commentators agree: Satan worked through Judas's existing greed and disappointment, not by removing his will but by corrupting it from within.
The second word is paradidōmi, to deliver or betray. It appears twice in these verses and will echo through the rest of the Passion narrative. It is a legal word used for handing a prisoner over to authorities. Judas does not simply tip them off; he delivers a person, the Person, into their custody.
The third is eukairia, opportunity, a seasonable time. Judas seeks the right moment away from the crowd. The word itself carries the sense of a favorable moment, which makes it all the more sobering. He is waiting for the window when betrayal will succeed. We all know what it feels like to watch for a convenient time to do something wrong. This passage warns us that even proximity to Jesus does not protect us from such a search.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this passage with sober attention to the mystery of human evil and divine purpose. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry emphasize that the timing was fixed in God's eternal counsel, the year of the redeemed had come. Wesley notes simply that Satan is never absent when a heart is bent on mischief. Catholic tradition has seen in Judas a warning against despair and the danger of habitual sin, while Orthodox teaching often highlights the cosmic dimension of Satan's enmity against Christ.
Yet all traditions agree on the core: Jesus was not a victim of circumstance. He steps toward the cross as the Passover Lamb, even as human fear, greed, and satanic hatred conspire against him. What the religious leaders and Judas intend for evil, God uses for the world's salvation.
A common misunderstanding
People sometimes think that when Satan entered Judas, Judas became a puppet with no free will. In fact, the Greek verb eiserchomai (entered) does not remove responsibility. Luke shows Judas going, speaking, consenting, and seeking opportunity, all active verbs. Commentators note that Satan worked through Judas's own avarice and disappointment, not around them. Judas was not forced; he was willing.
Living This Out
This passage asks a quiet question of anyone who reads it: which direction is your heart moving when nobody is watching? The religious leaders plotted in secret. Judas looked for the moment when the crowd was absent. The most dangerous steps away from Jesus often happen in private, a grudge nursed, a compromise justified, a promise broken quietly.
This week, pay attention to the small decisions that no one else sees. They are the soil where betrayal can take root. But they are also the places where grace can meet you. You do not have to wait for a crowd to choose faithfulness. You can turn toward Jesus in the hidden moments, and he will meet you there.
Main takeaway: As the Passover feast draws near, the plot against Jesus intensifies, revealing Him as the true Lamb who will be sacrificed for our deliverance.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This story tells us that some people were planning to hurt Jesus. Even one of His friends, Judas, decided to help them. But God was still in charge. Jesus was going to die to save us, just like God planned.
For ages 9, 12
Right before the Passover holiday, the religious leaders were looking for a way to kill Jesus quietly because they were afraid of the crowds. Then Satan entered Judas, one of Jesus's own disciples. Judas went to the leaders and agreed to hand Jesus over for money. This shows how even someone very close to Jesus can make a terrible choice when they let greed and pride take over. But we also see that God was working out His bigger plan. Jesus was about to become the Passover Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean that Satan entered Judas?
In Luke 22:3, 'Satan entered Judas' means the devil influenced Judas's heart and mind, not that he took control of his body against his will. The Gospel accounts show Judas acting on his own desires, greed and disappointment. Satan exploited those desires, but Judas remained responsible for his choice.
Why did Judas betray Jesus for money?
Judas was the treasurer for the disciples and had been stealing from the money bag (John 12:6). His love of money made him vulnerable to temptation. When he approached the chief priests, they agreed to pay him thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). This also fulfilled a prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13.
Why were the chief priests afraid of the people?
The chief priests and scribes wanted to kill Jesus, but they feared the people because many believed Jesus was a prophet from God (Matthew 21:46). If they arrested Him publicly, a riot might break out. So they needed a private way to seize Him. Judas's offer to betray Him away from the crowd was exactly what they needed.
How does the Passover relate to Jesus' death?
In the Old Testament, the Passover lamb was sacrificed to save the Israelites from death in Egypt (Exodus 12). Jesus died at Passover time, and the New Testament calls Him our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The timing in Luke 22:1-6 is not accidental. It shows that Jesus' death fulfills the meaning of Passover: He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study