Matthew 26:27

KJV

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he took {G2983} the cup {G4221}, and {G2532} gave thanks {G2168}, and gave {G1325} it to them {G846}, saying {G3004}, Drink ye {G4095} all {G3956} of {G1537} it {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

Also he took a cup of wine, made the b'rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, "All of you, drink from it!

Berean Standard Bible

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

American Standard Version

And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:27 marks a pivotal moment during the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Following the distribution of the bread, representing His body, Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks, and commands His disciples to drink from it. This act transforms the traditional Jewish Passover meal into a profound new covenant ritual, symbolizing His impending sacrifice and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity sealed by His blood.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 26:27 is nestled within the broader narrative of Jesus' final week leading up to His crucifixion. It immediately follows the institution of the bread in [Matthew 26:26](/matthew/26-26 "Matthew 26:26 - Institution of the Bread"), forming the second part of the Lord's Supper. This verse sets the stage for the explicit declaration of the "blood of the covenant" in [Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the New Covenant") and Jesus' vow not to drink again until the Kingdom of God in [Matthew 26:29](/matthew/26-29 "Matthew 26:29 - The Kingdom of God"). The entire passage (Matthew 26:26-29) is a solemn, prophetic act, reinterpreting the Passover for a new era and pointing directly to Jesus' atoning death as the foundation of the new covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Last Supper was a Passover Seder meal, a deeply symbolic annual Jewish feast commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (as recounted in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover Regulations")). During a traditional Seder, four cups of wine were consumed, each with specific significance. While the text doesn't specify which cup Jesus used, it is widely understood to be the third cup, the "Cup of Redemption," which was drunk after the main meal and associated with God's deliverance. By taking this cup and giving it new meaning, Jesus was not abolishing the Passover but fulfilling and transforming it, imbuing it with new significance centered on His own redemptive work. This reinterpretation would have been profoundly impactful for His Jewish disciples.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Covenant**, transitioning from the Old Covenant (sealed with animal blood) to the New Covenant (sealed with Christ's blood), as prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant"). It highlights the theme of **Sacrifice and Atonement**, with the cup symbolizing Jesus' impending death for the forgiveness of sins, a foundational concept in Christian theology. Furthermore, it emphasizes **Remembrance and Proclamation**, establishing a ritual for future generations of believers to recall Jesus' sacrifice until His return, a concept further developed in [1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaiming the Lord's Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _lambánō_):** This verb signifies an active, deliberate taking or receiving. Jesus is not merely handed the cup; He actively "takes" it, indicating His intentionality and authority in instituting this new practice. It highlights His sovereign control over the events unfolding, even amidst His impending suffering.
* **gave thanks (Greek, _eucharistéō_):** This word is the root of "Eucharist," a common term for Holy Communion. It means "to be grateful" or "to express gratitude," specifically in the context of giving thanks or saying grace at a meal. Jesus' act of giving thanks transforms the common act of drinking into a sacred moment of gratitude and blessing, acknowledging God's provision and redemptive plan even in the shadow of the cross.
* **all (Greek, _pâs_):** This term, meaning "all," "every," or "the whole," is emphatic. Jesus' command, "Drink ye all of it," underscores the universal and inclusive nature of the new covenant for those who are His disciples. It signifies that every single participant is invited to partake fully in the benefits and responsibilities of this covenant, sharing in His sacrifice and the life it offers, without exception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took the cup":** This action signifies Jesus' deliberate initiation of the second element of the Lord's Supper. In the context of the Passover Seder, this would likely have been the third cup, the "Cup of Redemption," which traditionally symbolized God's deliverance. By taking it, Jesus re-contextualizes this symbol to represent His own redemptive work.
* **"and gave thanks":** Before distributing the cup, Jesus blesses it, expressing gratitude to God. This act of thanksgiving is central to the meaning of the communion, transforming the wine into a sacred symbol and setting a tone of reverence and appreciation for God's ultimate plan of salvation.
* **"and gave [it] to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it;'":** Jesus distributes the cup to His disciples with an explicit command for universal participation. The emphatic "all of it" (Greek: _pâs_) indicates that every single one of them was to drink. This underscores the communal nature of the new covenant and the shared participation in Christ's sacrifice, binding all believers together in this sacred act.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:27 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the physical cup and its contents (wine) are transformed into profound symbols. The cup itself symbolizes Jesus' impending suffering and the new covenant established through His blood, moving beyond its traditional Passover meaning. This act represents a **Ritual Transformation**, where Jesus reinterprets an existing, deeply ingrained Jewish ritual (the Passover Seder) and imbues it with new, Christ-centered meaning, establishing a new covenant meal for His followers. Furthermore, the command "Drink ye **all** of it" utilizes **Emphasis** through the use of the Greek word _pâs_ ("all"), highlighting the universal and inclusive nature of this new covenant for all who are His disciples.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:27 serves as a foundational text for understanding the New Covenant, moving beyond the Old Testament's sacrificial system to a new era of grace sealed by Christ's blood. This verse, alongside the institution of the bread, establishes the central sacrament of Christian worship, the Lord's Supper, as an ongoing remembrance of Christ's atoning work. It underscores the profound truth that salvation and forgiveness are not earned but are a gift freely given through the shed blood of Jesus, inviting all believers into a reconciled relationship with God. The act of giving thanks before partaking also emphasizes the posture of gratitude and worship that should accompany our reception of God's grace.

* [Jeremiah 31:31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "Paul's Account of the Lord's Supper")
* [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke's Account of the Last Supper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:27 calls believers to a profound reflection on the nature of God's love and the cost of our redemption. When we partake of the cup in communion, we are not merely performing a ritual; we are actively remembering Jesus' selfless sacrifice, the shedding of His blood that sealed the New Covenant and brought about the forgiveness of our sins. This act should stir within us deep gratitude for the immeasurable grace we have received and a renewed commitment to live lives worthy of such a gift. It also serves as a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ, as we, a diverse body of believers, partake together from the same cup, signifying our shared redemption and common hope in His return. This unity should compel us to live in love and service towards one another, reflecting the very love that Christ demonstrated on the cross.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering Jesus' act of "giving thanks" before distributing the cup shape your own attitude towards gratitude and worship?**
* **What does the command "Drink ye all of it" signify about the inclusivity and communal nature of the Christian faith?**
* **How does partaking in the cup deepen your understanding of the New Covenant and the forgiveness available through Christ's blood?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "gave thanks" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "gave thanks" (Greek: _eucharistéō_) is highly significant as it is the etymological root of the term "Eucharist," a common name for Holy Communion. Jesus' act of giving thanks before distributing the cup transforms the meal into a sacred act of gratitude. It highlights that the Lord's Supper is fundamentally an expression of profound thanksgiving to God for His unparalleled gift of salvation through Christ's sacrifice. This act sets a precedent for Christian worship, emphasizing that our remembrance of Christ's death should always be accompanied by a spirit of grateful adoration for God's redemptive plan.

**Why did Jesus command "Drink ye all of it"?**

Answer: The command "Drink ye all of it" (Greek: _pínete ex autoû pántes_) emphasizes universal participation among those present and, by extension, all who are His disciples. It underscores the inclusive and communal nature of the New Covenant established by Jesus' blood. Unlike the Old Covenant, which had specific roles for priests and the people, the New Covenant invites all believers to partake fully in its benefits and responsibilities. This command reinforces that the covenant is for everyone who believes, fostering unity and shared identity within the body of Christ. It also ensures that the meaning of the cup—representing Christ's blood—is universally embraced by the community of faith, signifying their shared redemption and commitment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:27, with Jesus taking the cup and commanding His disciples to drink, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The cup, symbolizing His blood, directly foreshadows the pouring out of His life as the definitive and perfect sacrifice for sin. This act seals the New Covenant, as prophesied in the Old Testament, where the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins")). Jesus, as the Lamb of God, fulfills this requirement, offering His own blood not just as a symbol, but as the very means by which humanity is reconciled to God ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood")). Through this act, He establishes a new relationship, based on grace and forgiveness, making peace through the blood of His cross ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through His Blood")). Thus, the cup of Matthew 26:27 is not merely a memorial; it is a profound declaration of Christ's redemptive work, inviting all believers to partake in the life-giving benefits of His finished work on Calvary.

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 10:16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Isaiah 25:6

¶ And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

Psalms 116:13

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Luke 22:20

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

Song Of Solomon 7:9

And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth [down] sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.

Song Of Solomon 5:1

¶ I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Isaiah 55:1

¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.