Luke 22:30 - Who is the Greatest?
so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom
This phrase signifies the promise of fellowship and communion with Christ in His eternal kingdom. Eating and drinking at a table is a symbol of intimate fellowship and acceptance. In biblical times, sharing a meal was a sign of peace and covenant. This promise is reminiscent of the Messianic banquet prophesied in Isaiah 25:6, where the Lord prepares a feast for all peoples. It also echoes the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples, symbolizing the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20). The imagery of a table in the kingdom suggests a place of honor and closeness to the King, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promises to His faithful followers.
and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel
This phrase indicates a role of authority and governance granted to the apostles in the eschatological future. Sitting on thrones is a symbol of ruling and judgment, reflecting the promise of shared authority with Christ. The twelve tribes of Israel represent the entirety of God's people, and this promise connects to the restoration and fulfillment of Israel's destiny. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus similarly promises the apostles that they will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes. This reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the restoration of Israel and the establishment of God's kingdom. The apostles' role in judgment signifies their foundational place in the church, as seen in Ephesians 2:20, where they are described as the foundation with Christ as the cornerstone. This promise underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from Israel to the church.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples during the Last Supper, imparting to them the promise of future roles in His kingdom.
2. The Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' promise, they are being assured of their future participation in His kingdom and their roles as judges.
3. The Kingdom of God
The future realm where Jesus reigns, characterized by divine justice and fellowship with God.
4. The Twelve Tribes of Israel
Representing the entirety of God's chosen people, they are to be judged by the disciples, indicating a restoration and fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.
5. The Last Supper
The event during which Jesus shares this promise, marking a pivotal moment of teaching and covenant with His disciples before His crucifixion.
Teaching Points
Promise of Reward
Jesus assures His disciples of a future reward, emphasizing that faithfulness in this life leads to honor and responsibility in the next.
Role of Judgment
The promise of judging the twelve tribes signifies a role of authority and discernment, calling believers to live lives of integrity and wisdom.
Fellowship with Christ
Eating and drinking at Jesus' table symbolizes intimate fellowship with Him, encouraging believers to seek closeness with Christ now in anticipation of eternal communion.
Fulfillment of God's Promises
The reference to the twelve tribes underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, reminding believers of the certainty of His promises.
Preparation for the Kingdom
Believers are called to prepare for their future roles in God's kingdom by living righteously and serving faithfully in the present.
(30) That ye may eat and drink at my table.--The promise is the same as that implied in what had been already said in Luke 22:16.
And sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.--See Note on Matthew 19:28. The repetition of the promise at the moment when apparent failure was close at hand, is significant as carrying the words into a higher region of symbolic meaning. Not on any thrones of earth were those disciples to sit, any more than the Master was to sit on the throne of His father David in an earthly Jerusalem.
Verse 30. - That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. While the words just considered (ver. 29) referred to a success and a reward, the scene of which was to be this world, the Master now continues his promises of reward to his chosen faithful followers - a reward which will be their blessed portion in eternal life, which will follow this. First, the endless bliss to be shared with him is pictured under the old favourite Jewish image of the heavenly banquet; and second, in that heavenly realm a special place of honor and a distinct work is promised to these his chosen faithful servants. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.
you may eat
ἔσθητε (esthēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
drink
πίνητε (pinēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.
at
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.
My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
table
τραπέζης (trapezēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5132: Probably contracted from tessares and peze; a table or stool, usually for food; also a counter for money.
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
kingdom,
βασιλείᾳ (basileia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
sit
καθήσεσθε (kathēsesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.
on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.
thrones,
θρόνων (thronōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2362: From thrao; a stately seat; by implication, power or a potentate.
judging
κρίνοντες (krinontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.
the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
twelve
δώδεκα (dōdeka)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1427: Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.
tribes
φυλὰς (phylas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5443: A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan.
of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Israel.
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.
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