47 As he was yet speaking, behold, a crowd, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went on before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. 48 And Jesus said to him, Judas, deliverest thou up the Son of man with a kiss? 49 And they who were around him, seeing what was going to follow, said [to him], Lord, shall we smite with [the] sword? 50 And a certain one from among them smote the bondman of the high priest and took off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answering said, Suffer thus far; and having touched his ear, he healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders, who were come against him, Have ye come out as against a robber with swords and sticks? 53 When I was day by day with you in the temple ye did not stretch out your hands against me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness.
54 And having laid hold on him, they led him [away], and they led [him] into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And they having lit a fire in the midst of the court and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain maid, having seen him sitting by the light, and having fixed her eyes upon him, said, And this [man] was with him. 57 But he denied [him], saying, Woman, I do not know him. 58 And after a short time another seeing him said, And thou art of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And after the lapse of about one hour another stoutly maintained it, saying, In truth this [man] also was with him, for also he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, [the] cock crew. 61 And the Lord, turning round, looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, Before [the] cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter, going forth without, wept bitterly.
63 And the men who held him mocked him, beating [him]; 64 and covering him up, asked him saying, Prophesy, who is it that struck thee? 65 And they said many other injurious things to him.
66 And when it was day, the elderhood of the people, both [the] chief priests and scribes, were gathered together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 If thou art the Christ, tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not at all believe; 68 and if I should ask [you], ye would not answer me at all, nor let me go; 69 but henceforth shall the Son of man be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. 70 And they all said, Thou then art the Son of God? And he said to them, Ye say that I am. 71 And they said, What need have we any more of witness, for we have heard ourselves out of his mouth?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 22:47-71
Commentary on Luke 22:47-53
(Read Luke 22:47-53)
Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus, than to be betrayed by those who profess to be his followers, and say that they love him. Many instances there are, of Christ's being betrayed by those who, under the form of godliness, fight against the power of it. Jesus here gave an illustrious example of his own rule of doing good to those that hate us, as afterwards he did of praying for those that despitefully use us. Corrupt nature warps our conduct to extremes; we should seek for the Lord's direction before we act in difficult circumstances. Christ was willing to wait for his triumphs till his warfare was accomplished, and we must be so too. But the hour and the power of darkness were short, and such the triumphs of the wicked always will be.
Commentary on Luke 22:54-62
(Read Luke 22:54-62)
Peter's fall was his denying that he knew Christ, and was his disciple; disowning him because of distress and danger. He that has once told a lie, is strongly tempted to persist: the beginning of that sin, like strife, is as the letting forth of water. The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. 1. It was a convincing look. Jesus turned and looked upon him, as if he should say, Dost thou not know me, Peter? 2. It was a chiding look. Let us think with what a rebuking countenance Christ may justly look upon us when we have sinned. 3. It was an expostulating look. Thou who wast the most forward to confess me to be the Son of God, and didst solemnly promise thou wouldest never disown me! 4. It was a compassionate look. Peter, how art thou fallen and undone if I do not help thee! 5. It was a directing look, to go and bethink himself. 6. It was a significant look; it signified the conveying of grace to Peter's heart, to enable him to repent. The grace of God works in and by the word of God, brings that to mind, and sets that home upon the conscience, and so gives the soul the happy turn. Christ looked upon the chief priests, and made no impression upon them as he did on Peter. It was not the mere look from Christ, but the Divine grace with it, that restored Peter.
Commentary on Luke 22:63-71
(Read Luke 22:63-71)
Those that condemned Jesus for a blasphemer, were the vilest blasphemers. He referred them to his second coming, for the full proof of his being the Christ, to their confusion, since they would not admit the proof of it to their conviction. He owns himself to be the Son of God, though he knew he should suffer for it. Upon this they ground his condemnation. Their eyes being blinded, they rush on. Let us meditate on this amazing transaction, and consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.