Matthew 26:17-30
The Passover Meal
Read the passage
17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
18He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”
19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples.
21And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
22They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”
23Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.
24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”
27Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
28This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples ask Jesus where he wants them to prepare the Passover. He directs them to a certain man in the city, and they make the preparations. That evening Jesus reclines at the table with the twelve.
Jesus tells them that one of them will betray him. The disciples become sorrowful and ask, one after another, whether it is they. Jesus says that the one who dips his hand in the dish with him will betray him, and Judas asks, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answers, “You have said it yourself.” He says the Son of Man will go as Scripture has foretold, yet warns that it would have been better for the betrayer not to have been born.
As they eat, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” He takes a cup, gives thanks, and gives it to them, saying that it is his blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus says he will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until he drinks it new with them in his Father's kingdom. After they sing a hymn, they go out to the Mount of Olives.
The meal holds sorrow, betrayal, covenant, forgiveness, and hope together. Jesus is not surprised by the failure around the table, yet he gives himself and points beyond the coming suffering to the Father's kingdom.
How We Know
Moses speaks of covenant blood in Exodus, and Jeremiah promises a new covenant in which God forgives sin. Jesus identifies His own blood with covenant and forgiveness. Paul also records the bread and cup and says the church proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes.
Questions
1 What does Jesus give the disciples during the Passover meal?
AnswerJesus gives the disciples bread, says it is His body, and gives them a cup, saying it is His blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. He does this during the Passover meal while announcing that one of them will betray Him.
2 Why does Jesus call the cup his covenant blood?
AnswerJesus calls the cup His covenant blood because it is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. His blood establishes the new covenant and points to His sacrificial death.
3 How does betrayal at the table deepen the meaning of Jesus' gift?
AnswerJesus knows the sin among His disciples and still announces His blood poured out for forgiveness. Our hope rests in His saving gift, while His warning keeps us from treating betrayal lightly.
4 What need for forgiveness should our household bring honestly?
AnswerThe household can share a meal or prayer of thanksgiving, name one need for forgiveness, and practice reconciliation without pretending trust is instantly restored.
What This Means for Us
Jesus explains His death before the disciples see it happen. His blood will be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. The cross is more than an example of generous love: He gives Himself to bring guilty people into covenant fellowship with God.
That promise gives us a reason to confess rather than hide. At a table where betrayal is being exposed, Jesus speaks of forgiveness. We need not present an unbroken record of loyalty before asking for mercy, but we must be truthful about the sin from which we need saving.
He also promises to drink with His disciples in His Father’s kingdom. When the church receives the bread and cup, it remembers His death and looks toward His coming. A household can give thanks for both: forgiveness Christ has secured and fellowship with Him still to come.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the covenant mercy shown in your body and blood. Make us honest about betrayal and sin, generous in forgiveness, wise about trust, and hopeful in the kingdom you promise. Amen.