Mark 14:24

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, This {G5124} is {G2076} my {G3450} blood {G129} of the new {G2537} testament {G1242}, which {G3588} is shed {G1632} for {G4012} many {G4183}.

He said to them, "This is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many people.

He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Context

Mark 14:24 is spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, a significant event held in an upper room in Jerusalem on the night before His crucifixion. This meal was a Passover observance, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. During this sacred meal, Jesus institutes a new ritual, transforming the traditional Passover into a foreshadowing of His own ultimate sacrifice. This verse, specifically, records Jesus' words over the cup, after blessing and breaking the bread (as described in Mark 14:22-23), establishing the core meaning of what would become Christian Communion or the Eucharist.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The New Covenant (Testament): Jesus declares His blood to be the foundation of a "new testament," or more accurately, a new covenant with God. The Old Covenant, established with Israel at Mount Sinai, was based on law and animal sacrifices (see Exodus 24:8). The New Covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, promises forgiveness of sins and a direct, intimate relationship with God, written on the hearts of believers.
  • Sacrificial Blood and Atonement: In ancient Israelite tradition, blood was central to atonement, symbolizing life given for life (as explained in Leviticus 17:11). Jesus' declaration signifies that His own blood, shed on the cross, is the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, providing complete and lasting forgiveness for sins. This act inaugurates the new way of salvation.
  • "Shed for Many": This phrase highlights the expansive scope of Christ's redemptive work. While His sacrifice is sufficient for all humanity, "many" emphasizes the countless individuals from all nations and generations who would benefit from His atoning death. This echoes the prophetic language of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53:11-12, who "shall bear their iniquities."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "testament" comes from the Greek diatheke (διαθήκη), which more accurately translates to "covenant" or "agreement." This emphasizes a solemn, binding pact initiated by God with humanity through Jesus Christ. The phrase "shed for many" (Greek: περὶ πολλῶν - peri pollōn) underscores the extensive, yet specific, beneficiaries of Christ's atoning sacrifice—those who accept His gracious offer of salvation.

Practical Application

This verse is foundational to the Christian understanding of the Lord's Supper, often called Communion or the Eucharist. When believers partake in this sacred meal, they are not merely remembering a past event but are actively participating in the covenant established by Christ's blood. It is a powerful reminder of:

  • The profound cost of salvation and the depth of God's love.
  • The forgiveness of sins available through Christ's sacrifice.
  • The new relationship believers have with God, marked by grace and truth.
  • A call to live in remembrance of Christ and His redemptive work, looking forward to His return (as further explained in 1 Corinthians 11:26).
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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 7:9

    After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

  • Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • Hebrews 9:15

    ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

  • Hebrews 9:23

    ¶ [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

  • 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.

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