Matthew 26:20-30 Meaning: From Passover to New Covenant
20Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
21As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
22They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
23He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.
24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
25Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”
26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,
28for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
29But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
20Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;
21and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord?
23And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.
25And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
29But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
20And evening having come, he was reclining (at meat) with the twelve,
21and while they are eating, he said, `Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up.'
22And being grieved exceedingly, they began to say to him, each of them, `Is it I, Sir?'
23And he answering said, `He who did dip with me the hand in the dish, he will deliver me up;
24the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up! good it were for him if that man had not been born.'
25And Judas--he who delivered him up--answering said, `Is it I, Rabbi?' He saith to him, `Thou hast said.'
26And while they were eating, Jesus having taken the bread, and having blessed, did brake, and was giving to the disciples, and said, `Take, eat, this is my body;'
27and having taken the cup, and having given thanks, he gave to them, saying, `Drink ye of it--all;
28for this is my blood of the new covenant, that for many is being poured out--to remission of sins;
29and I say to you, that I may not drink henceforth on this produce of the vine, till that day when I may drink it with you new in the reign of my Father.'
30And having sung a hymn, they went forth to the mount of the Olives;
20And when the evening was come he lay down at table with the twelve.
21And as they were eating he said, Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up.
22And being exceedingly grieved they began to say to him, each of them, Is it I, Lord?
23But he answering said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, he it is who shall deliver me up.
24The Son of man goes indeed, according as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; it were good for that man if he had not been born.
25And Judas, who delivered him up, answering said, Is it I, Rabbi? He says to him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus, having taken [the] bread and blessed, broke [it] and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
27And having taken [the] cup and given thanks, he gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
28For this is my blood, that of the [new] covenant, that shed for many for remission of sins.
29But I say to you, that I will not at all drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.
30And having sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
Meaning in one sentence
At the Passover table, Jesus foretold his betrayal, broke bread as his body, and poured wine as his blood for the forgiveness of sins.
Context
This scene takes place on the evening of the Passover, the night before Jesus died. He reclines at the table with his twelve disciples, a posture that would have caught the eye of anyone familiar with the original Passover command, where God’s people ate standing, ready to flee Egypt. Here, Jesus is not in haste. He is at rest. And in this setting, he does two difficult things: he tells the men closest to him that one of them will hand him over, and then he takes the bread and wine of the Passover meal and gives them new meaning. The old exodus is giving way to something much greater.
Key Words
The Greek word for reclining (anekeito) describes a relaxed, settled posture at a meal, the opposite of the hurried standing required at the first Passover (Exodus 12:11). Matthew’s choice of this word signals that a new chapter is beginning. The deliverance from slavery in Egypt is being fulfilled in a deeper freedom.
The verb that runs through this whole passage is paradidōmi, to hand over or deliver up. It appears in verse 21 (“will betray me”) and again when Jesus speaks of the cup “poured out for many” (v.28). The same word: Judas will hand Jesus over, and Jesus will hand himself over. One is an act of betrayal; the other is an act of love. Both lead to the cross.
And then there is diathēkē, covenant. When Jesus calls the cup “my blood of the new covenant,” he is reaching back to the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, sealed with the blood of sacrifices. Now he offers his own blood as the seal of a new promise, a promise of forgiveness that opens God’s family to everyone.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have treasured this scene as the institution of the Lord’s Supper, though they understand Jesus’ words differently. Catholics hold that the bread and wine truly become Christ’s body and blood, a mystery they call transubstantiation. Many Protestant traditions see the bread and wine as symbols that point to Christ’s real spiritual presence, received by faith. The Orthodox Church speaks of the elements as mystically changed, a holy mystery. What unites them is the conviction that Christ inaugurated a new covenant here. All agree that Jesus took an old meal and filled it with himself.
A common misunderstanding
Some people read that Jesus was reclining and assume he was simply relaxed or informal, as if the Passover was over and they were just having a casual dinner. In fact, his posture was a deliberate sign. The first Passover was eaten standing, with sandals on and staff in hand, ready to flee. Jesus reclined because the slavery was over. The new exodus was beginning, and he was the Lamb who would set people free once and for all.
Living This Out
This week, you may come to a Communion table, or you may simply remember what Christ did. Either way, ask yourself: do I come in a hurry, or do I come at rest? The work of salvation is finished. Jesus reclined because he knew what he came to do, and he did it. You do not have to earn God’s favor. You can sit at the table and receive what he gives, his body broken for you, his blood poured out to forgive every sin. That is the rest of the new covenant.
Main takeaway: At the Last Supper, Jesus transformed the Passover into a new covenant meal, giving his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus had a special dinner with his twelve friends. He gave them bread and said it was like his body. He gave them wine and said it was like his blood. This helps us remember that Jesus loves us and gave everything for us.
For ages 9, 12
At the Last Supper, Jesus was celebrating the Passover with his disciples. But he changed the meaning. Instead of a lamb, he said his own body and blood would be the sacrifice to forgive sins. When we take Communion, we remember that Jesus made a new promise, a new covenant, with us. It is a promise that anyone who trusts him can be part of God’s family forever.
Questions People Ask
Why was Jesus reclining at the table instead of standing?
The first Passover in Exodus was eaten standing, ready to flee Egypt. By reclining, Jesus showed that the old slavery was over. A new exodus was beginning, one that would free people from sin. His posture was a sign of rest and fulfilled promise.
What does 'this is my body' mean?
Christians understand these words differently. Some believe the bread literally becomes Christ’s body. Others see it as a powerful symbol that points to his real presence. All agree that Jesus was giving himself fully, his life, his sacrifice, so that we could be forgiven and united with him.
Did Judas take the bread and wine?
The Gospel accounts differ on timing. Matthew says Jesus identified Judas as the betrayer during the meal, and then Judas left (John 13:30). It is possible Judas was not present when Jesus gave the bread and cup. Christians have debated this, but the passage reminds us that even betrayal cannot stop God’s plan.
What is the new covenant Jesus talks about?
The old covenant at Sinai was sealed with the blood of animals and required repeated sacrifices. Jesus promised a new covenant sealed with his own blood, offering full forgiveness of sins once and for all. This covenant is open to everyone who trusts in him, not just one nation, and it creates a new family of God.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study