And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus' command to "Drink ye all of it" emphasizes that participation in this new covenant is meant for everyone, not just a select few. This isn't just a symbolic act; it's a profound invitation to receive the forgiveness of sins, made possible by his blood.
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just instituted the memorial of his body with the bread, and now he's taking the cup to establish a new covenant in his blood. This moment is the climax of the Last Supper, immediately following the Passover meal, as Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending sacrifice and the coming establishment of God's new way of relating to humanity.
Jesus elevates a familiar cup, transforming it from a Passover ritual to a profound symbol. What does His 'giving thanks' reveal about His heart?
In the midst of His impending suffering, Jesus pauses to give thanks. This wasn't just a formality; it was a deliberate act of worship and trust.
Gratitude Amidst Grief
Jesus explicitly commands 'Drink ye all of it.' Why is this cup so crucial, and what does it signify for us today?
The wine in the cup is not merely a symbol; it represents the very core of the New Covenant – Christ's blood shed for forgiveness.
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The Blood of the Covenant
The Lord's Supper directly echoes the ancient Passover, transforming a remembrance of physical liberation into a profound commemoration of spiritual redemption through Christ's blood, establishing a new covenant for all who believe.
c. 1446 BC
The First Passover
God institutes the Passover feast to commemorate the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, marked by the sprinkling of lamb's blood on doorposts to pass over the plague of death.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Last Supper
During Passover, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, using the cup as a symbol of his own blood that would be shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing a new covenant.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified, and his blood is shed, fulfilling the prophecy and the symbolism of the Passover lamb and the Lord's Supper. This act ratifies the new covenant.
c. 48 AD
Apostolic Council of Jerusalem
The early church grapples with the implications of the new covenant in Christ, particularly concerning the inclusion of Gentiles and the continued practice of Jewish customs.
c. 50-60 AD
Paul's Epistles
Paul writes letters to various churches, explaining the theology of the new covenant, the significance of Christ's atoning blood, and the proper observance of the Lord's Supper.
This passage speaks directly to the significance of the cup in the Lord's Supper, calling it a participation in the blood of Christ and connecting it to the fellowship believers share with Christ and with each other.
Luke 22:20This verse, a parallel account of the Last Supper, explicitly states that the cup represents the 'new covenant in my blood,' underscoring the theme of a new relationship with God established through Christ's sacrifice.
Exodus 24:8This Old Testament passage describes Moses sprinkling blood to ratify the covenant between God and Israel, providing a crucial historical and covenantal backdrop to Jesus' institution of the cup representing his blood.
Isaiah 53:12This prophecy foretells the Suffering Servant who 'poured out his soul to death' and 'bore the sin of many,' directly foreshadowing the atoning blood that Jesus was about to shed, as symbolized by the cup.
bensonMatthew 26:27: "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;"
Matthew 26:27-28 . And he took the cup — Called by the Jews the cup of thanksgiving; which the master of the family used likewise to give to each after supper. And gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this — That is, of the wine which it contains. For this is my blood — That is, the sign of my blood; of the new testament — Whereby the new testament, or covenant, is procured or confirmed;…
henryMatthew 26:26-30: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body."
26:26-30 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish ever so well garn…
Jesus' command to "Drink ye all of it" emphasizes that participation in this new covenant is meant for everyone, not just a select few. This isn't just a symbolic act; it's a profound invitation to receive the forgiveness of sins, made possible by his blood.
Jesus has just instituted the memorial of his body with the bread, and now he's taking the cup to establish a new covenant in his blood. This moment is the climax of the Last Supper, immediately following the Passover meal, as Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending sacrifice and the coming establishment of God's new way of relating to humanity.
Jesus has just instituted the memorial of his body with the bread, and now he's taking the cup to establish a new covenant in his blood. This moment is the climax of the Last Supper, immediately following the Passover meal, as Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending sacrifice and the coming establishment of God's new way of relating to humanity.
"And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you," — Jesus' command to "Drink ye all of it" emphasizes that participation in this new covenant is meant for everyone, not just a select few. This isn't just a symbolic act; it's a profound invitation to…
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Last reviewed October 2026