Luke 22:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:20 captures Jesus' profound declaration during the Last Supper, instituting the New Covenant through the symbol of the cup. Following the breaking of bread, Jesus presents the wine as His blood, signifying the establishment of a new, grace-based relationship between God and humanity, sealed by His impending sacrificial death. This pivotal moment reinterprets the Passover meal, transforming it into a forward-looking sacrament that anticipates Christ's atoning work on the cross and its personal, redemptive implications for all believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Luke's account of the Last Supper, specifically after Jesus has broken bread and declared it to be His body given for the disciples ([Luke 22:19](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19 - Jesus Institutes the Bread")). The action with the cup follows immediately, completing the institution of the Lord's Supper. This entire scene is framed by Jesus' deep desire to share this Passover meal with His disciples before His suffering ([Luke 22:15](/luke/22-15 "Luke 22:15 - Jesus' Desire for the Passover")). It stands in stark contrast to the preceding narrative of Judas's betrayal ([Luke 22:3-6](/luke/22-3-6 "Luke 22:3-6 - Judas's Betrayal Planned")) and the disciples' argument about greatness that follows ([Luke 22:24-30](/luke/22-24-30 "Luke 22:24-30 - Disciples Argue About Greatness")), highlighting the solemn, redemptive purpose of Jesus' actions amidst human weakness and treachery.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Last Supper was a Passover Seder, a meal rich with symbolic meaning for first-century Jews. The Passover commemorated God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, marked by the blood of a lamb on the doorposts, which averted the angel of death ([Exodus 12:1-14](/exodus/12-1-14 "Exodus 12:1-14 - The First Passover")). The meal traditionally involved multiple cups of wine, each with specific significance. By taking the third cup, known as the "Cup of Redemption," and reinterpreting it as His "blood of the new covenant," Jesus was deliberately re-contextualizing a deeply significant Jewish ritual. He was not abolishing the Passover but fulfilling and transforming its meaning, shifting the focus from a historical deliverance of Israel to a spiritual deliverance for all humanity through His own sacrifice.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:20 powerfully articulates several key themes central to the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of the **New Covenant**, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant"), which Jesus now inaugurates through His blood. This signifies a radical departure from the Old Covenant, which was based on the Mosaic Law and animal sacrifices, to a new relationship with God founded on grace and Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. Another crucial theme is **Sacrificial Atonement**, as the phrase "shed for you" underscores the substitutionary nature of Jesus' death—His life given as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Finally, the **Personal Application** of salvation is emphasized by the phrase "for you," highlighting that Christ's redemptive work is not a general act but one specifically for the benefit of each individual who believes, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** This word signifies "new" in terms of freshness, quality, and being unprecedented, rather than merely new in age (which would be _neos_). Here, it emphasizes that the covenant Jesus institutes is qualitatively different and superior to the Old Covenant. It is a fresh, never-before-seen arrangement with God, marked by an internal transformation rather than external law.
* **testament (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** While often translated "testament" (implying a will), the primary meaning here is "covenant" or "agreement." It refers to a solemn, binding pact or disposition established by God. This choice of word highlights the divine initiation and unbreakable nature of this new relationship, a unilateral promise from God to His people, sealed by His Son's sacrifice.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** In biblical thought, blood is intrinsically linked to life and atonement. It is the life-giving fluid, and in the Old Testament, the shedding of blood was required for the remission of sins, signifying a life given in place of another ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood")). Here, Jesus' blood is not merely symbolic; it is the very means by which the New Covenant is ratified, providing ultimate cleansing and forgiveness.
* **shed (Greek, _ekchéō'_):** This verb means "to pour forth" or "to gush out." Its use here vividly portrays the violent and complete nature of Jesus' sacrifice. It is not just a drop or a small amount, but a full outpouring of His life, indicating the totality and sufficiency of His atoning work. The passive voice ("is shed") emphasizes that this is an act done to Him, yet willingly undertaken for a specific purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying,"**: This phrase establishes the immediate context within the Last Supper. "Likewise also" connects this action with the previous one of breaking bread, indicating that the cup holds a parallel and equally profound significance. The phrase "after supper" indicates that this was the final, climactic act of the meal, often associated with the third cup of the Passover Seder, the "Cup of Redemption." Jesus' "saying" introduces His authoritative interpretation of the cup's meaning.
* **"This cup is the new testament in my blood,"**: Here, Jesus identifies the cup not merely as wine, but as a representation of the "new testament" or "new covenant." The phrase "in my blood" is crucial, signifying that His very life-blood, soon to be poured out, is the ratification and foundation of this new divine agreement. Unlike the Old Covenant, sealed with animal blood, this covenant is inaugurated by the precious, perfect blood of God's own Son, making it qualitatively superior and eternally effective.
* **"which is shed for you."**: This concluding clause clarifies the purpose and personal application of Jesus' sacrifice. The blood is not shed arbitrarily but "for you," indicating a substitutionary and redemptive act. It is a sacrifice made on behalf of humanity, specifically for the disciples present, and by extension, for all who would believe. This emphasizes the atoning, sin-forgiving nature of His death, providing reconciliation and access to God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:20 is rich with **Symbolism**, where the physical elements of the cup and its contents (wine/blood) are imbued with profound spiritual meaning. The **Metaphor** "This cup is the new testament in my blood" directly equates the cup with the covenant, highlighting that it *represents* the covenant sealed by His blood, rather than literally *being* the covenant itself. The phrase "shed for you" employs **Substitutionary Language**, a theological concept where one's sacrifice stands in place of another's, emphasizing the vicarious nature of Christ's atonement. The setting within the Passover meal also creates a powerful **Typology**, where the Old Testament Passover lamb and its blood, which delivered Israel from physical slavery and death, serve as a type foreshadowing Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose blood delivers humanity from spiritual slavery to sin and eternal death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:20 stands as a foundational text for understanding the New Covenant and the atoning work of Christ. It reveals that God's plan for humanity's redemption culminates not in adherence to a legal code, but in a radical, grace-filled relationship established through the self-giving sacrifice of His Son. This new covenant, sealed by Jesus' blood, offers complete forgiveness of sins, direct access to God, and an inner transformation of the heart, fulfilling ancient prophecies of a new and better way. It underscores the profound truth that salvation is a gift, undeserved and unearned, made possible only by the shedding of innocent blood.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "The Superior Sacrifice of Christ")
* [1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "Paul's Account of the Lord's Supper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:20 invites believers to a profound remembrance and participation in the ongoing reality of the New Covenant. When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are not merely performing a ritual; we are proclaiming the death of Christ until He comes again, remembering the immense cost of our redemption and the depth of God's love. This verse calls us to live in light of this new reality: our sins are forgiven, we are reconciled to God, and we are empowered by His Spirit to live a new life. It challenges us to embrace the freedom and responsibility that come with being covenant partners with God, living lives of gratitude, obedience, and witness, sharing the good news of this new agreement with a world still bound by sin. The "shed for you" reminds us of the intensely personal nature of Christ's sacrifice, urging us to respond with personal devotion and surrender.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "new testament in my blood" deepen your appreciation for the Lord's Supper?**
* **In what ways does the New Covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, transform your daily walk with God?**
* **How does the phrase "shed for you" personally resonate with your understanding of God's love and sacrifice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the reality of the New Covenant?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "new testament" in Jesus' blood?**

Answer: The "new testament" refers to the New Covenant, a new and superior agreement between God and humanity, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Prophecy of the New Covenant"). Unlike the Old Covenant, which was based on the Mosaic Law and animal sacrifices, this New Covenant is established by Jesus' perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. His blood is the ultimate seal of this covenant, signifying complete forgiveness of sins, direct access to God, and an internal transformation of the heart through the Holy Spirit. It moves from external regulations to an internal relationship, making reconciliation with God possible for all who believe.

**Why is blood so central to the concept of the covenant?**

Answer: In biblical understanding, blood represents life itself ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "The Life is in the Blood")). Throughout the Old Testament, the shedding of blood was essential for atonement and the remission of sins ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Without Shedding of Blood There is No Remission")). Covenants were often ratified with blood, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement, often with the implicit understanding that breaking the covenant could result in the shedding of one's own blood. Jesus' declaration signifies that His own life, represented by His blood, is given as the perfect, ultimate sacrifice to establish this new, eternal covenant, providing complete and final atonement for sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:20 is a profound declaration of Christ's central role in God's redemptive plan, revealing Him as the inaugurator and embodiment of the New Covenant. Jesus, the true Passover Lamb ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ Our Passover Lamb")), transforms the ancient Passover meal, fulfilling its typological significance by offering His own life as the ultimate sacrifice. His blood, "shed for you," is the very substance by which this new covenant is ratified, providing a perfect and eternal atonement that animal sacrifices could never achieve ([Hebrews 10:1-14](/hebrews/10-1-14 "Christ's Sacrifice Perfects Forever")). This act foreshadows His crucifixion, where He would fully pour out His life, not just for Israel, but for the sins of the whole world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His shed blood, believers are reconciled to God ([Romans 5:9-11](/romans/5-9-11 "Reconciled by His Blood")), cleansed from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "Cleansing by His Blood")), and granted access to the very presence of God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Access to God Through His Blood")). Thus, Luke 22:20 is not merely a historical account but a timeless testament to Christ's unparalleled work as the mediator of a better covenant, secured by His precious blood, offering eternal life to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.