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More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 23:1-12
The Pharisaical Religion
Matthew 23:13-26
Blinded to God’s Truth
Matthew 23:27-39
White Washed Sepulchers
Matthew 24:1-14
The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:32-51
A Faithful Servant
Matthew 25:1-13
The Foolish Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:14-30
The Wise and Foolish Stewards
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and Goat Judgment
Matthew 26:1-5
Jesus Predicts His Death
Matthew 26:6-16
At Simon the Leper’s House
Matthew 26:17-30
The Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:31-35
Three Characteristics of Jesus
Matthew 26:36-46
The Weekness of our Flesh
Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus Is Arrested
Matthew 26:57-68
Jesus on Trial
Matthew 27:1-10
Judas’ Sorrow and Suicide
Matthew 27:11-26
Trial Before Pilate
Matthew 27:27-44
The Mockery and Crucifixion
Matthew 27:57-66
Burial in Joseph’s Tomb
Matthew 28:1-10
Women Visit the Tomb
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The Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:17–30
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Three times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get together for what they call a “gratitude lunch.” With good reason! Washington donated a kidney to Stevens, whom he described as “just a friend.” They met at work where they used to have lunch to … More
Most Bible scholars believe that the events recorded in this passage took place on Thursday of Passion week. This was the first day of the seven-day Feast of the Unleavened bread and the day Passover lambs were sacrificed (Mark 14:12). It was necessary for Jesus and His disciples to find a place in crowded Jerusalem where they could celebrate the feast (v. 17). Jesus sent Peter and John to make these important preparations (Luke 22:8). They were to find a man carrying a pitcher of water and he would show them a large upper room (v. 18). This would not be as hard as it sounds because most men didn’t carry water, this was usually done by the women. To this day neither Scripture nor tradition provides the name of this man who so graciously provided them a place.
Besides finding a location, the two disciples had to purchase the food and prepare it for the Passover which probably took them most of the day (v. 19). When the disciples had nearly finished the meal, Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray Him (vv. 20-21. As each one asked who it was, Jesus let Judas know that it was him and urged him to hurry up and do his thing (vv. 22-25). With this Judas went out into the night (John 13:30). At this point Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper where He took bread and wine and made them visible reminders of His body and blood that was soon to be shed for our remission of sins (vv. 26-30). This ordinance is to be commemorated by the church until He returns (I Cor. 11:23-26). The song the disciples sang may have been Psalm 115-118 (v. 30).
Application
What does Communion mean? For many it is just a ritual that the church goes though once a month and for some weekly. The key words are “remember” and “give thanks" as I partake.
Matthew 26:17-30 (English Standard Version)
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so." Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
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