Discovery BoxLuke 22:31-46 
Context22:31 “Simon, 1 Simon, pay attention! 2 Satan has demanded to have you all, 3 to sift you like wheat, 4 22:32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, 5 that your faith may not fail. 6 When 7 you have turned back, 8 strengthen 9 your brothers.” 22:33 But Peter 10 said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 11 22:34 Jesus replied, 12 “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow 13 today until you have denied 14 three times that you know me.”
22:35 Then 15 Jesus 16 said to them, “When I sent you out with no money bag, 17 or traveler’s bag, 18 or sandals, you didn’t lack 19 anything, did you?” They replied, 20 “Nothing.” 22:36 He said to them, “But now, the one who 21 has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag 22 too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 22:37 For I tell you that this scripture must be 23 fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ 24 For what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 25 22:38 So 26 they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” 27 Then he told them, “It is enough.” 28
22:39 Then 29 Jesus 30 went out and made his way, 31 as he customarily did, to the Mount of Olives, 32 and the disciples followed him. 22:40 When he came to the place, 33 he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 34 22:41 He went away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take 35 this cup 36 away from me. Yet not my will but yours 37 be done.” 22:43 [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 22:44 And in his anguish 38 he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.] 39 22:45 When 40 he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, exhausted 41 from grief. 22:46 So 42 he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation!” 43
1 tc The majority of
2 tn Grk “behold” (for “pay attention” see L&N 91.13).
3 sn This pronoun is plural in the Greek text, so it refers to all the disciples of which Peter is the representative.
4 sn Satan has demanded permission to put them to the test. The idiom “sift (someone) like wheat” is similar to the English idiom “to pick (someone) apart.” The pronoun you is implied.
5 sn Here and in the remainder of the verse the second person pronouns are singular, so only Peter is in view. The name “Simon” has been supplied as a form of direct address to make this clear in English.
6 sn That your faith may not fail. Note that Peter’s denials are pictured here as lapses, not as a total absence of faith.
7 tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Or “turned around.”
9 sn Strengthen your brothers refers to Peter helping to strengthen their faith. Jesus quite graciously restores Peter “in advance,” even with the knowledge of his approaching denials.
10 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
11 sn The confidence Peter has in private (Lord, I am ready…) will wilt under the pressure of the public eye.
12 tn Grk “he said”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 sn That is, Peter’s denials will happen before the sun rises.
14 sn Once again, Jesus is quite aware that Peter will deny him. Peter, however, is too nonchalant about the possibility of stumbling.
15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
16 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
17 tn Traditionally, “purse” (likewise in v. 36).
18 tn Or possibly “beggar’s bag” (L&N 6.145).
19 sn This refers back to 9:3 and 10:3-4. The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ at the end, “did you?” Nothing was lacking.
20 tn Grk “said.”
21 tn The syntax of this verse is disputed, resulting in various translations. The major options are either (1) that reflected in the translation or (2) that those who have a money bag and traveler’s bag should get a sword, just as those who do not have these items should sell their cloak to buy a sword. The point of all the options is that things have changed and one now needs full provisions. Opposition will come. But “sword” is a figure for preparing to fight. See Luke 22:50-51.
22 tn Or possibly “beggar’s bag” (L&N 6.145).
23 sn This scripture must be fulfilled in me. The statement again reflects the divine necessity of God’s plan. See 4:43-44.
24 tn Or “with the lawless.”
sn This is a quotation from Isa 53:12. It highlights a theme of Luke 22-23. Though completely innocent, Jesus dies as if he were a criminal.
25 tn Grk “is having its fulfillment.”
26 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ comments about obtaining swords.
27 sn Here are two swords. The disciples mistakenly took Jesus to mean that they should prepare for armed resistance, something he will have to correct in 22:50-51.
28 sn It is enough. The disciples’ misunderstanding caused Jesus to terminate the discussion.
29 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
30 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
31 tn Grk “went.”
32 sn See the note on the Mount of Olives in Luke 19:29.
33 sn Luke does not mention Gethsemane by name, but calls it simply the place.
34 sn Jesus’ instructions to pray not to fall into temptation is an allusion to Luke 22:28-38, especially 22:31. The temptation is Satan’s challenge to them to defect, like what happened to Judas and what will happen to Peter.
35 tn Luke’s term παρένεγκε is not as exact as the one in Matt 26:39. Luke’s means “take away” (BDAG 772 s.v. παρένεγκε 2.c) while Matthew’s means “take away without touching,” suggesting an alteration (if possible) in God’s plan. For further discussion see D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1759-60.
36 sn This cup alludes to the wrath of God that Jesus would experience (in the form of suffering and death) for us. See Ps 11:6; 75:8-9; Isa 51:17, 19, 22 for this figure.
37 sn With the statement “Not my will but yours be done” Jesus submitted fully to God’s will.
38 tn Grk “And being in anguish.”
39 tc Several important Greek
sn Angelic aid is noted elsewhere in the gospels: Matt 4:11 = Mark 1:13.
40 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
41 tn Grk “from grief.” The word “exhausted” is not in the Greek text, but is implied; the disciples have fallen asleep from mental and emotional exhaustion resulting from their distress (see L&N 25.273; cf. TEV, NIV, NLT).
42 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus finding them asleep.
43 sn Jesus calls the disciples again to prayerful watchfulness with the words “Get up and pray” (see 22:40). The time is full of danger (22:53).
