The Chiastic Structure of Luke 22:31-62

There are multiple ways to view and interpret Luke 22:31-62. The most obvious might be with the narrative tools of rising tension and conflict. The Use of character focus is helpful too. But have you ever considered the chiastic structure?

Luke 22:31-62 is a chiasm. The outer envelope is Peter's denial (31-34, 54-62). The next movement inward is Judas and the world's denial to be numbered among the transgressors (35-38, 47-53). Then the center of the chiasm is Jesus' prayer in 39-46.

Luke brackets the center section with Jesus' two-times statement: "Pray that you may not enter into temptation" (40, 46). Jesus faced the greatest temptation, asking that the cup might pass, but he would do God's will no matter what the temptation, even in the face of death. Peter acted like he would do this, too, but he failed. Judas didn't even try.

Going back to the outer section of the chiasm, we have Simon, who claims he's all-in no matter what, but then, at the end of the account, we see he fell to temptation. In the next layer in the chiasm, it's Judas who is tempted with the world to deny Jesus, going all-in against Jesus (37). The result is what we see in 47-53. Scripture had to be fulfilled, and we see the sword come into play wrongly. Once again, Peter acted on his temptations as if to fulfill what he claimed in the first part. It won't work that way. Judas' denial of Christ led others to follow Judas, aiding their rejection of Christ. Judas' denial is worse than Peter's denial. The picture is escalating in consequences. Worse of all would be if Jesus succumbed to temptation. Praise the Lord! He did not.

Peter's event with the sword demonstrates his idea of what it means to stand with Jesus. Fight? Go to the sword? Action in strength? But Jesus says that's not how it works. Instead, we stand by truth in word and deed, not being afraid to stand with Jesus even when he's on trial. Peter couldn't even do that much when a servant girl asked. (How strong are you now, Peter?)

A couple of things worth noting. First, Satan demanded to have Peter, and God could have said no. He did not. It looks like Job in many ways. In addition, God knew it was for Peter's and our good, because by reading this account, Acts, and Peter's writing, we see how God redeems his people. We also see how Satan is on God's leash.

Second, even Jesus needed strengthening in and after his temptation. Verse 43 shows that God sent an angel to help Jesus. God sends the Holy Spirit to support and strengthen us. Jesus models how we get through temptation through prayer and reliance on God--not by strength, as Peter tried.

The growing plot and resolution leave everything unresolved until after the resurrection. That's not a wrong approach to this Passage, but the chiasmus approach lets you stay in more of this Text without going to the end to resolve the tension.

One of the most beautiful pictures of the Gospel comes in verse 32. Jesus knows Peter will fall, but because Jesus knows Peter is in Christ, he also knows he will turn again (repentance) and then strengthen his brothers (the fruit of being in Christ). Nothing in this statement implies that Peter will lose his salvation, and everything requires that Peter is indeed already saved. This foundation goes back to another time when Jesus was praying in Luke 9:18-20. In verse 20, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ of God. That's how Peter was saved, by faith. So, although Satan is going to sift Peter (31), and Peter is going to sin terribly, Peter sees the problem and weeps bitterly (62). Judas seems not to understand repentance. Judas never fell--he was never with them in the first place. What an encouragement for those who know Christ. What a call for those who do not.