Luke 22:16
What does Luke 22:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:16 means
Jesus declares He will not eat the Passover again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. This shows both abstinence and anticipation. The Passover’s ultimate meaning will be realized in Him, and its final fulfillment awaits the kingdom’s consummation. He points the disciples beyond the looming cross to the certain future of God’s reign. His words carry both a farewell to the old observance and a promise of a reunion when redemption’s work is complete. By abstaining, He signals a transition from type to reality: the Lamb will be sacrificed once for all. The verse steadies fearful hearts by anchoring their hope not in present ritual but in the coming kingdom where He will again share table fellowship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I say to you, I will not take it till it is made complete in the kingdom of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for I say to you, that no more may I eat of it till it may be fulfilled in the reign of God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I say to you that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I say unto you, that I will not eat any more at all of it until it be fulfilled in the kingdom ofGod.
Context
After expressing deep desire to share this meal, Jesus shifts their eyes forward with a vow of abstinence until the kingdom’s fulfillment. Immediately He will distribute a cup for them to share and then break bread, each act accompanied by thanksgiving and profound explanation. These actions institute the Lord’s Supper. Soon after, He will identify that a betrayer’s hand is with Him at the table, revealing the paradox of grace and treachery in the same setting.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Acts 10:41
not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
- Luke 22:30
that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- John 6:50
This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:
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