Did Jesus Make a Mistake in This Verse?

Many skeptics claim that Jesus made a mistake during the Last Supper. They point to a statement He made about His disciples sitting on thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

Some believe this proves He wasn’t the Messiah and, by extension, not the Son of God.

However, when we look deeper into the context of this passage, we see that this perceived mistake is actually a misunderstanding.

Let’s explore this question and understand why this is not a mistake at all.

Context of the Last Supper

To start, we must understand the context of the Last Supper. This moment in the Gospels is pivotal, and Jesus intentionally layered His words with meaning.

In Luke 22:17-20, He establishes the foundation for the New Covenant by sharing bread and wine with His disciples.

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.'” – Luke 22:17-18

Here, Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God, referring to His eternal reign, which will become fully realized at His return.

This moment signals the beginning of a new era in the salvation plan He will complete through His death, burial, and resurrection.

In the next verse, Jesus breaks the bread and shares it with His disciples, saying:

“This is my body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19

This act establishes what we now call communion, a practice that Christians continue today to remember Jesus’ sacrifice.

The Betrayal of Judas

As the meal continues, Jesus acknowledges that one of His disciples will betray Him. In verse 21, He says:

“But behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table.” – Luke 22:21

This is crucial because it shows that Jesus knew exactly what was about to happen. He was fully aware that Judas would betray Him. He follows this by saying:

“And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined, but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!” – Luke 22:22

This statement is a warning to Judas. Jesus understood the consequences of the betrayal, and He was not confused about the roles of His disciples.

The 12 Thrones and the Kingdom

Now, let’s focus on the statement that causes confusion for some: Jesus says to His disciples:

“And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” – Luke 22:29-30

At first glance, this might seem contradictory. Judas, one of the disciples, was about to betray Jesus. So how could Jesus say that the disciples would sit on thrones, ruling over Israel?

To understand this, we must acknowledge that Jesus did not include Judas in this promise.

The disciples who would “sit on thrones” were those who remained faithful to Him, not Judas, who would soon betray Him.

Jesus’ words referred to those who stayed steadfast, not to the one who would betray Him.

To clarify further, Jesus had already predicted Judas’ betrayal. He knew that Judas would not “continue with Him in His temptations,” meaning Judas was not part of the group who would share in the kingdom promises. Jesus says,

“You are they which have continued with me in my temptations,” – Luke 22:28

Judas, who was about to betray Him, was not included in this group of faithful followers. In fact, Jesus referred to Judas as “a devil” in John 6:70, further showing that Judas would not reign with Jesus.

Why Jesus Didn’t Make a Mistake

Some skeptics argue that Jesus made a mistake by saying His disciples would sit on thrones. However, this assumption overlooks the context.

Jesus was speaking to those who would remain faithful to Him. Judas’ betrayal disqualified him from this promise, so when Jesus spoke of His disciples sitting on thrones, He was referring to those who would continue to follow Him.

Jesus was not confused about the future. He understood that Judas was about to betray Him, and He was fully aware of who would sit on thrones with Him.

The statement about thrones was a promise to those who would stay faithful to Him, not to Judas.

Applying Context to Bible Study

This passage teaches us an important lesson about Bible study: context is everything. Without understanding the historical and literary context, it’s easy to misinterpret verses and arrive at incorrect conclusions.

This is why it’s so important to read the Bible holistically and seek a deeper understanding of its message.

It also shows the value of careful Bible study—taking time to understand each passage in its broader narrative helps us to apply its lessons more accurately to our lives.

Jesus did not make a mistake when He spoke of His disciples sitting on thrones in His kingdom. His statement wasn’t a contradiction but a promise to those who remained faithful to Him.

Understanding the context of the Last Supper and Jesus’ knowledge of Judas’ betrayal helps clarify this passage.

If you’re interested in learning more, watch this insightful video about whether Jesus wants Christians to be poor or not.

May this help you deepen your understanding of Scripture and grow in your faith. God bless.

WATCH THE VIDEO