Luke 22:20

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Likewise {G5615} also {G2532} the cup {G4221} after {G3326} supper {G1172}, saying {G3004}, This {G5124} cup {G4221} is the new {G2537} testament {G1242} in {G1722} my {G3450} blood {G129}, which {G3588} is shed {G1632} for {G5228} you {G5216}.

He did the same with the cup after the meal, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant, ratified by my blood, which is being poured out for you.

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.

Luke 22:20 is a pivotal verse from the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the sacrament of Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or Eucharist. This verse specifically focuses on the significance of the cup, linking it directly to the establishment of a new covenant through His sacrificial blood.

Context

This declaration takes place during the Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples in Jerusalem, just hours before His betrayal and crucifixion. The Passover itself commemorated God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, marked by the blood of a lamb applied to doorposts. In this setting, Jesus redefines the symbols of the meal, shifting their focus from the historical deliverance of Israel to a spiritual deliverance for all humanity through His own sacrifice. Following the breaking of bread (representing His body), Jesus takes the cup, which traditionally symbolized joy and salvation, and imbues it with profound new meaning.

Key Themes

  • The New Covenant: Jesus explicitly states that the cup represents the "new testament" or new covenant in His blood. This signifies a radical shift from the Old Covenant, which was based on the Mosaic Law and animal sacrifices, to a new relationship with God founded on Christ's perfect sacrifice and grace.
  • Sacrificial Atonement: The phrase "shed for you" underscores the substitutionary nature of Jesus' death. His blood is not merely a symbol but the very means by which this new covenant is sealed and sins are forgiven, providing a path to reconciliation with God.
  • Personal Application: The inclusion of "for you" emphasizes the personal, redemptive work of Christ. His sacrifice is not a general act but one specifically for the benefit of each individual who believes.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "testament" here is diatheke (διαθήκη), which more accurately means "covenant" or "agreement." It implies a solemn, binding pact established by God. This choice of word highlights the divine initiation and unbreakable nature of this new relationship. The concept of "blood" (Greek: haima, αἷμα) is central to biblical understanding of atonement, as it represents life itself, and in the Old Testament, blood was required for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

Practical Application

Luke 22:20 calls believers to remember the profound significance of Jesus' sacrifice every time they partake in Communion. It is a tangible reminder of the new relationship we have with God through Christ's blood, a covenant of grace that offers forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. This verse encourages us to live in light of this incredible gift, recognizing that our redemption was secured at a tremendous cost, and to share this good news with others. It also serves as a foundational text for understanding the purpose and meaning of the Lord's Supper in Christian worship.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:25

    After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.

  • Matthew 26:28

    For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  • Zechariah 9:11

    As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.

  • Hebrews 13:20

    Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

  • Exodus 24:8

    And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

  • Jeremiah 31:31

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

  • Hebrews 12:24

    And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

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