Matthew 26:26
Summary for Matt 26:26-29: 26:26-29 a The Last Supper derives its significance in part from the Jewish Passover (see Exod 12 b). The phases of the Jewish liturgy for Passover are as follows: (1) Festal blessing; (2) first cup (see Luke 22:17-18 c); (3) eating bitter herbs (see Matt 26:23 d and corresponding study note); (4) eating unleavened bread (26:26 e; Mark 14:22 f); (5) second cup is mixed; (6) the Passover haggadah (reading) is given (Exod 12 g); (7) first part of the hallel (Pss 113–114 h; see study note on Pss 113–118); (8) second cup is taken; (9) blessing and eating of unleavened bread (Matt 26:26 i; Mark 14:22 j; Luke 22:19 k); (10) the Passover lamb is eaten; (11) third cup (Matt 26:27-28 l; Mark 14:23-24 m; Luke 22:20 n); (12) fourth cup (see Matt 26:29 o[?]; Mark 14:25 p[?]); (13) time of fellowship; (14) second part of the hallel (Pss 115–118 q; see Matt 26:30 r). None of the New Testament accounts of the Last Supper includes every aspect of a typical Jewish Passover. However, the most important aspects of the Passover that gave meaning to the early Christian celebration of the Lord’s Supper are included (see 1 Cor 11:23-25 s). Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the ultimate Passover lamb and the perfect sacrifice for sin.• this is my body ... my blood: Ever since the Reformation, there have been three dominant interpretations of Jesus’ statements concerning the bread and the wine: (1) that the bread and wine change into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ (transubstantiation); (2) that Christ is mysteriously present in the sacrament either spiritually (real presence) or “in, with, and under” the bread and wine (consubstantiation); (3) that the bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ, benefiting the recipient through the Spirit by faith (symbolism). 26:26 t The unleavened bread of the Passover (Exod 12:18 u) is also described as the “bread of suffering” (Deut 16:3 v), referring to hardships in Egypt.
• The customary blessing 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.”
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