Luke 22:15

With desire. The expression “with desire I have desired” is a characteristic Hebraistic idiom meaning “I have very much desired.” Similar idiomatic expressions appear in John 3:29 (“rejoiceth greatly”), Acts 4:17 (“straitly threaten”), and elsewhere in the NT. They are very common in the LXX. This was the last occasion on which Jesus would be together with His beloved disciples before the agony of betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. This, the climax of His earthly ministry, had ever been before Him as He labored among men. For nearly a year Jesus had diligently been seeking to prepare His followers for the events of these final hours of His life (see on Matt. 16:21; 20:17; etc.).

This passover. The fourth Passover of Jesus’ ministry (see pp. 193, 247; The Duration of Christ’s Ministry), the third celebrated with the disciples in Jerusalem. Not all of them, however, had been present as members of this group upon either of the previous occasions — the Passovers of A.D. 28 and 29 — which occurred prior to the selection and appointment of the Twelve in the summer of A.D. 29. It was definitely the Passover meal that Jesus and the Twelve now celebrated together on this occasion (see Additional Notes on Matt. 26, Note 1; DA 642, 652; GC 399).

Before I suffer. Again and again Jesus had spoken to the disciples of His sufferings (see on Matt. 16:21; 20:17). The OT prophets often spoke of the sufferings of Messiah (see Ps. 22; Isa. 53; etc.). Jesus must tread the pathway of suffering all the way to the cross in order to qualify as the “captain” of our salvation (see Heb. 2:10). Without the cross there could be no crown (see 1 Peter 1:11). It is our privilege, as followers of the lowly Jesus, to have a share in His sufferings (see 2 Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; DA 225).