Jesus' Intercessory Prayer for Peter in Luke 22
Jesus' Intercessory Prayer for Peter in Luke 22
Luke 22:31-32 records Jesus saying, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" [1]. This passage is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to his disciples during the Last Supper.
The literary context of Luke 22:31-32 is Jesus' final instructions to his disciples before his arrest. The preceding verses describe Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and his announcement of Judas' betrayal (Luke 22:1-30). The following verses detail Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial and his subsequent warning to the disciples to be prepared for the challenges ahead (Luke 22:33-38) [3].
The historical setting of this passage is Jerusalem during the Passover celebration. Jesus has gathered with his disciples to observe the feast, and the events described in Luke 22 take place in the upper room and on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane [3].
The key terms in Luke 22:31-32 are "Satan" and "sift." Satan is the adversary who seeks to test and destroy the disciples, while "sift" is a metaphor for the process of testing and refining, as wheat is separated from chaff [2].
A major exegetical decision in this passage is the interpretation of Jesus' prayer for Peter. According to John Gill, Jesus' prayer was likely part of his high priestly prayer in John 17, which includes petitions for the preservation and sanctification of his disciples [6]. Charles Hodge notes that the Lutherans distinguish between Christ's general intercession for all humanity and his special intercession for the elect [7].
The range of interpretations for Luke 22:31-32 includes various understandings of Jesus' prayer and its implications for Peter and the other disciples. According to Adam Clarke, Jesus' prayer was a response to Satan's request to test Peter, and it ensured that Peter's faith would not ultimately fail [9]. Tyndale House commentary notes that Jesus' prayer was a demonstration of his concern for Peter's well-being and his awareness of the challenges that Peter would face [8].
This passage has functioned in Christian tradition as a demonstration of Jesus' intercessory role and his concern for his disciples. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites Luke 22:32 as an example of Christ's intercessory prayer, alongside other biblical references [5]. The passage has also been used to support the doctrine of Christ's ongoing intercession for believers, as noted by Charles Hodge [7].
The significance of Jesus' intercessory prayer for Peter is highlighted by the events that follow in Luke 22. Peter's denial of Jesus is a fulfillment of Jesus' prediction, and it demonstrates the reality of Satan's testing. However, Peter's subsequent repentance and restoration, as recorded in John 21:15-22, demonstrate the effectiveness of Jesus' prayer [4].
Sources
- Luke “Luke 22:62 (YLT) — and Peter having gone without, wept bitterly.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Luke 22:32 cross-references: Psalms 32:3, Psalms 51:12, Zechariah 3:2, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, Mark 16:7, Luke 8:13, Luke 22:61, John 14:19, John 17:9, John 17:15, John 21:15, Acts 3:19, Romans 5:9, Romans 8:32, Romans 8:34, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 1 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 2:18, Titus 1:1, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:15, 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Peter 1:10, 2 Peter 3:14, 2 Peter 3:17, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:19”
- Luke “Luke 22:8 (BBE) — And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make the Passover ready for us, so that we may take it.”
- John “John 21:21 (KJV) — Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 22:31: But I have prayed for thee,.... Christ prayed for all the apostles; but particularly for Peter, because he was in the greatest danger: whether the prayer Christ refers to was that in Joh 17:1 in which are many passages relating to the preservation, sanctification, final perseverance and glorification of the apostles, as well as of other saints, as in Joh 17:9 and so these words might be spoken a little after that prayer was ended, which was about this same time; or whether it was any other, and only mental, and not vocal, is not certain: however, the petition was, th”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 118: 594 § 3. Its Objects. As to the objects of Christ’s intercession, the Lutherans make a distinction between his intercession as general and special. He intercedes generally for all men, and specially for the elect. The former is assumed on the authority of Luke xxiii. 34 , where Christ is represented as praying for his murderers, saying, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” It is said to be due to the intercession of Christ that the wicked are not immediately cut off; that they have the Gospel preached to them, and every”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 22:61: 22:61 the Lord turned and looked at Peter: Jesus was in the house being questioned and must have looked through a window or vestibule. When their eyes met and the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction (22:34).”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 22 (introduction): The chief priests and scribes plot our Lord's destruction, Luk 22:1, Luk 22:2. Judas, at the instigation of the devil, betrays him, Luk 22:3-6. He eats his last supper with his disciples, Luk 22:7-18. Institutes the eucharist, Luk 22:19, Luk 22:20. Announces one of his disciples as the traitor, Luk 22:21-23 : The contention which should be greatest, Luk 22:24-30. Warns Peter against Satan's devices, Luk 22:31, Luk 22:32. Peter's resolution, Luk 22:33. His denial foretold, Luk 22:34. Tells his disciples to make prudent provision for their own support, Luk ”