Luke 22:20
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:20 (KJV)
Context
Luke 22:20 is part of the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper or Communion, and it is in this context that He speaks the words recorded in this verse.
Meaning
In this verse, Jesus took the cup of wine and gave it to His disciples, stating, “This cup is the new testament in my blood.” The cup symbolises the new covenant that Jesus was establishing through His blood. In the Old Testament, blood was associated with covenant ratification (Exodus 24:8), and here Jesus presents His blood as the seal of the new covenant.
Jesus declared that the cup represented the “new testament” or “new covenant.” This new covenant fulfils the promise recorded in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God pledged to make a new covenant with His people. Under the old covenant, people were required to follow the law, but under the new covenant, salvation would come through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross.
Jesus further explains that the cup represents His blood, which would be “shed for you.” This points to the impending crucifixion and the sacrifice that Jesus would make to atone for the sins of humanity. The shedding of His blood signifies the forgiveness and redemption offered through His sacrificial death.
Biblical connections
The timing “after supper” connects this action to the Passover meal, linking the old covenant’s deliverance from Egypt to the new covenant’s redemption through Christ. The Greek text underscores that the cup is the new covenant in His blood, poured out for you, emphasizing the personal, substitutionary nature of Christ’s atoning work.
Application
Understanding the symbolism of the cup deepens our appreciation for the Lord’s Supper. It reminds us that Jesus’ blood was shed for our salvation, and we are called to actively remember and proclaim the new covenant in our daily lives. As we partake of Communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Reflection
How does understanding the symbolism of the cup deepen your appreciation for the Lord’s Supper?
What does it mean for you personally that Jesus’ blood was shed for your salvation?
In what ways can you actively remember and proclaim the new covenant in your daily life?
Remember to read the surrounding verses and consult other biblical commentaries for a more comprehensive understanding of the passage.
