Matthew 26:27

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

Matthew 26:27 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the Last Supper narrative (Matthew 26:17-30), the Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. During this meal, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it.” The Passover setting is essential: the cup of wine was part of the traditional meal, and its symbolism pointed to the blood of the Passover lamb that had protected the Israelites from judgment in Egypt.

Meaning

The cup Jesus took represents His blood, which He was about to shed for the forgiveness of sins. By commanding all the disciples to drink, Jesus emphasized that each one was to participate fully in the benefits of His sacrifice. The Greek construction of “all” in “Drink ye all of it” is nominative, meaning Jesus addressed all the disciples rather than telling them to consume every drop. This is reflected in translations such as Tyndale’s “Drink of it every one” and the RSV’s “Drink of it, all of you.” Jesus’ act of giving thanks before distributing the cup highlights His gratitude to God for the redemptive plan about to be fulfilled through His sacrifice.

Biblical connections

The cup is also identified as the cup of Hallel, or praise, used during the Passover meal, connecting to the psalms sung at its conclusion (Matthew 26:30). The parallel account in Mark 14:23 records that “they all drank of it,” emphasizing the disciples’ participation. This act points to the new covenant established through Jesus’ blood, as later explained in the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

Application

This verse reminds believers of the importance of partaking in the Lord’s Supper, also known as the Eucharist or Communion. Just as the disciples were invited to drink from the cup, Christians are called to participate in this sacrament as a way of remembering and proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26). Through the symbolic act of eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers reaffirm their faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and the new covenant established through His blood.

Reflection

Jesus’ example of giving thanks in the face of suffering teaches believers to express gratitude to God for His provisions and blessings, even in difficult circumstances. The command to “Drink ye all of it” is a personal invitation to receive the forgiveness and new life that Jesus secured through His sacrifice.