Matthew 26:26-29
The Lord’s Supper Instituted
26 Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after (a)blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”(A)
27 And when He had taken a cup and (b)given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;
28 for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a (c)substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.(B)
29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Footnotes:
a.
Matthew 26:26: The customary blessing spoken over the bread in the Passover meal was, “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”
b.
Matthew 26:27: Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine (“Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!”) and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.
c.
Matthew 26:28: By laying his hands on the head of the sacrifice the one offering the sacrifice identified himself with it and through its death it became an atonement or covering for his sin. Because the unblemished sacrifice “covered” his sin, it placed the one offering the sacrifice in a right relationship with God, just as later under the new covenant the perfection and sacrifice of Christ would cover (atone for) the imperfection and sin of those who identified with Him and accepted Him as Savior.