Mark 14:24

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Captures Jesus' profound declaration during the Last Supper, identifying the wine as His "blood of the new testament" (or covenant), which is "shed for many." This pivotal statement reinterprets the Passover meal, establishing the foundational meaning of the Christian Eucharist as a new covenant sealed by His sacrificial death, offering atonement and forgiveness for a multitude.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of the institution of the Lord's Supper, immediately following Jesus' blessing and breaking of the bread, which He identifies as His body given for them ([Mark 14:22](/mark/14-22 "Mark 14:22 - Institution of the Lord's Supper: Bread")). The declaration over the cup, identifying it as His blood, completes the symbolic action, establishing a new ritual that would become central to Christian worship. The narrative then swiftly moves to Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial and His agony in Gethsemane, underscoring the imminence and gravity of His impending crucifixion ([Mark 14:26-42](/mark/14-26-42 "Mark 14:26-42 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial and Prays in Gethsemane")). This sequence highlights the sacrificial nature of the covenant being inaugurated.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Last Supper was a Passover Seder, a deeply symbolic meal commemorating Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt through the blood of the lamb applied to the doorposts ([Exodus 12:1-13](/exodus/12-1-13 "Exodus 12:1-13 - The First Passover")). For centuries, the Passover had been the central act of Israelite remembrance and covenant renewal. Jesus, by reinterpreting the elements of the Passover meal—the bread and the wine—transforms its meaning. He positions Himself as the ultimate Passover Lamb whose blood establishes a new and superior covenant, fulfilling and superseding the Old Covenant established at Mount Sinai, which was ratified with animal blood ([Exodus 24:8](/exodus/24-8 "Exodus 24:8 - The Blood of the Covenant")). This reinterpretation would have been shocking and profoundly significant to His Jewish disciples.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:24 is rich with theological themes. It centrally introduces the theme of the **New Covenant**, fulfilling prophetic promises like those in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Prophecy of the New Covenant"), where God promises to make a new covenant, writing His law on their hearts and forgiving their iniquity. The verse also underscores **Sacrificial Atonement**, presenting Jesus' blood as the means of forgiveness and reconciliation with God, echoing the Levitical understanding that "the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Significance of Blood for Atonement")). Furthermore, the phrase "shed for many" highlights the **Universal Scope of Salvation**, indicating that while the sacrifice is for a specific, chosen people, its benefits are expansive, reaching countless individuals across time and nations, aligning with the Suffering Servant passages in [Isaiah 53:11-12](/isaiah/53-11-12 "Isaiah 53:11-12 - The Suffering Servant Bears Iniquity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** This word refers to literal blood, but here it carries profound theological weight. In the Old Testament, blood was intrinsically linked to life and was essential for atonement and covenant ratification. Jesus' declaration signifies that His own life, poured out in death, serves as the ultimate, atoning sacrifice, fulfilling the sacrificial system.
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** This term emphasizes freshness and quality, rather than merely chronological age (which would be _néos_). It denotes something qualitatively superior, unprecedented, and distinct from what came before. The "new" covenant is not just a revised version of the old, but a fundamentally different and more effective one, inaugurated by Christ's unique sacrifice.
* **testament (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** While "testament" can imply a will, the primary and more accurate translation in this context is "covenant" or "agreement." It signifies a solemn, binding pact or disposition initiated by God, establishing a relationship and outlining its terms. Jesus' blood establishes this divine covenant, a relationship of grace and forgiveness between God and humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them":** This phrase grounds the statement firmly in the context of Jesus' direct instruction to His disciples during the Last Supper. It underscores the authority and intentionality behind His words, marking them as a foundational teaching.
* **"This is my blood of the new testament":** Here, Jesus identifies the wine not merely as a symbol, but as His very "blood" that inaugurates a "new covenant." This is a profound reinterpretation of the Passover cup, shifting its focus from the blood of the lamb that saved Israel from physical death to His own blood that saves humanity from spiritual death and establishes a new, eternal relationship with God. The "is" (Greek _estí_) implies a real, though perhaps symbolic, identification.
* **"which is shed for many":** This clause clarifies the purpose and scope of His sacrifice. The shedding of His blood signifies His violent, sacrificial death. The phrase "for many" (Greek _perí pollōn_) indicates that His atoning work is not limited to a select few, but extends to a vast multitude, encompassing all who would believe and receive its benefits. It speaks to the efficacy and expansive reach of His redemptive act.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:24 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the wine is transformed into a symbol of Christ's blood, which in turn symbolizes His sacrificial death and the ratification of the new covenant. This is a powerful reappropriation of the Passover imagery. The phrase "blood of the new testament" is a profound **Metaphor**, directly equating the physical element (wine/blood) with a theological reality (the covenant). Furthermore, the statement functions as a **Proclamation**, a definitive declaration by Jesus that institutes a new reality and reveals the salvific purpose of His impending suffering. The language is concise yet packed with theological meaning, characteristic of prophetic pronouncements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:24 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the heart of Christian salvation. It signifies the transition from the Old Covenant, based on law and animal sacrifices, to the New Covenant, founded on the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This new covenant, sealed by His blood, offers complete forgiveness of sins and a direct, intimate relationship with God, fulfilling ancient prophecies and inaugurating a new era of grace. It underscores the profound cost of redemption and the immeasurable love of God in providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:24 calls believers to a profound understanding of the Lord's Supper, not merely as a ritual, but as a participation in the new covenant established by Christ's sacrificial blood. When we partake of the cup, we are remembering the ultimate act of love and atonement, acknowledging that our forgiveness and new relationship with God are entirely dependent on His shed blood. This act of remembrance should evoke deep gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to live in light of such a costly salvation. It also reminds us of the expansive scope of God's grace—that Christ's sacrifice was "for many," inviting us to participate in His mission to share this good news with others so that more may come to experience the benefits of this new covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "new covenant" in Mark 14:24 deepen your appreciation for the Lord's Supper?**
* **In what ways does the concept of Christ's blood being "shed for many" impact your understanding of God's grace and your personal responsibility?**
* **How can you live more fully in light of the forgiveness and new relationship with God that this verse proclaims?**

### FAQ
**What is the "new testament" Jesus refers to in Mark 14:24?**

Answer: The "new testament" is more accurately translated as the "new covenant." This refers to a new, binding agreement or relationship established by God with humanity through Jesus Christ. It supersedes the Old Covenant (or Old Testament) made with Israel at Mount Sinai, which was based on law and animal sacrifices. The New Covenant is sealed by Jesus' own blood, offering forgiveness of sins and a direct, intimate relationship with God, where His law is written on the hearts of believers ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant")).

**Why does Jesus say His blood is "shed for many" instead of "for all"?**

Answer: The phrase "for many" (Greek: _peri pollōn_) emphasizes the vast, countless number of individuals who will benefit from Christ's atoning sacrifice. It does not necessarily exclude anyone, but rather highlights the efficacy and expansive reach of His redemption to a multitude of people from every nation and generation. This echoes prophetic language concerning the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53:11-12](/isaiah/53-11-12 "Isaiah 53:11-12 - The Suffering Servant Bears Iniquity"), who "shall bear their iniquities." While Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for all humanity, its redemptive power is applied to those who believe and accept His gracious offer of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:24 stands as a profound declaration of Christ's identity and mission, revealing Him as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the Lamb of God, willingly sheds His blood, not merely as a symbol, but as the very means by which the promised New Covenant is inaugurated. This act directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning a new covenant ([Jeremiah 31:31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant Prophecy")) and the atoning power of blood ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Blood for Atonement")). His shed blood is the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses us from sin ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness of Sins")), establishing a new and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")). Through His blood, believers receive forgiveness ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")), are reconciled to God ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through His Blood")), and are brought into a new, intimate relationship, becoming part of the "many" for whom He died, echoing the universal scope of salvation proclaimed in passages like [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Thus, Mark 14:24 is not just a historical record, but a living testament to Christ's saving work, continually inviting us into the benefits of His finished sacrifice.

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

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.