The Meal in Luke 22:19-20 and the Suffering Servant in Luke 22:37: The Lukan passion narrative as sacrifice images of reconciliation in Luke’s Gospel

Abstract

The meal in the Gospel of Luke (22:19-20) and the Suffering Servant narrative in Luke 22:37 are very significant in understanding the importance of these texts to the early Jesus community. The interpretation of these texts was precious as they read and meditated on the significance of the death of Jesus to them. The death of Jesus to the early community meant to fulfil the Old Testament prophecies of the coming messiah who will bring about a new era of reconciliation through his death. The use of socio-historical interpretation in this article helps to examine the meal in Luke 22:19-20 and the claim of Jesus in Luke 22:37 to see whether there is a correlation to the Old Testament, especially the process of reconciliation. The two texts in question showed that the Lukan community in the Gospel of Luke believed that the death of Jesus was a means of atoning for the sin of the community event that was familiar in the Old Testament. The language in the texts showed that Jesus authenticated the Old Testament prophecies upon himself. The article concludes that Jesus’ death in the Gospel of Luke is for the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation.