Devine Scripture

Luke 22:4

What does Luke 22:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:4 means

Judas takes initiative, slipping away to negotiate with the chief priests and the captains—temple officers responsible for security—about how to hand Jesus over. He is not coerced; he “communed with” them, seeking terms and a plan. This shows betrayal as a deliberate act, coordinated with religious and institutional power. The captains’ involvement indicates an official, if clandestine, arrest operation rather than a mob act. Judas’s knowledge of Jesus’ habits makes him valuable. The intimacy of the treachery deepens the sorrow: one entrusted to preach the kingdom now plots to deliver the King to His enemies. Yet even this scheming will fit the Scriptures and Christ’s mission to lay down His life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went away and had a discussion with the chief priests and the rulers, about how he might give him up to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he, having gone away, spake with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might deliver him up to them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he went and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray him to them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he went away and spoke with the chief priests and captains as to how he should deliver him up to them.

Context

After learning that Satan entered Judas, we see the outward steps that follow the inward surrender. Judas approaches the leaders and their officers, offering the key they lacked: access to Jesus away from the crowds. The next verses show the leaders’ pleased response and their agreement to pay, and then Judas’s watchfulness for the right moment. This clandestine arrangement will surface later in the garden arrest, where Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss.

v.3And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

v.4This passage

v.5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:14

    Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

  • Acts 5:24

    Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

  • Acts 4:1

    And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

  • Luke 22:52

    And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?

  • Mark 14:10

    And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them.

  • Acts 5:26

    Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

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