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The Gospel of Matthew

Passover and the Lord's Supper

Chapter 26:17-30

 

Passover

On Tuesday, the eve of Passover, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it was necessary to prepare for the Passover meal the next day (which, according to the Jewish calendar, begun at sunset). It was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because during the eight days it lasted it was not allowed to eat leavened bread. The leaven in the Bible is invariably a symbol of sin.

The day the lamb was killed and eaten (Exodus 12:15) was the first of the feast, always the fourteenth day of the month of Abib (between March and April) regardless of the day of the week, and was called the "day of preparation." The next day was a special Sabbath (“cessation”), known as "a high day” (Leviticus 23:7) especially sacred (John 19:31).

Originally, each family had their lamb and all the members gathered for the meal that they ate. If the family was small, or someone had no family, they met with others. The Lord's disciples were distant from their families, and asked Him where He wanted them to prepare the meal. Matthew's account is simple: they should enter the city (Jerusalem), seek a certain man and tell him that the Master declared that His time was near and He would celebrate the Passover at his house. They did so, and prepared the Passover at that house.

Mark and Luke give us more details on how this man was to be found, following someone who was carrying a jar of water. Again, the Lord Jesus demonstrated His divine attributes on this occasion, knowing this circumstance in advance. Luke tells us that the disciples sent were Peter and John. Surely all this secrecy would have prevented Judas from knowing where they would be meeting, so he could not tell the priests to go there ahead of time. The Lord only went there with the twelve apostles at dusk, when it was easier to escape the surveillance at the entrance of the city.

Luke and John give us more details about the beginning of the meal: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to set an example of humility, which they should observe towards one another, because, according to Luke, they were again arguing who should be the greatest among themselves (Luke 22:14-30 and John 13:1-20).

During the Passover meal, Jesus revealed that one of them would deliver Him. The disciples were exceedingly sorry to hear that, and each asked Him "Lord, is it I?”. Evidently, they had lost their self-confidence and were stunned, not knowing what to think, and the way the question was made demanded the answer "No". The Lord said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.”

There was no way to identify who was that person, because the food was in common dishes, from which all served themselves with their hands without the use of cutlery. It is clear that Judas was not indicated, nor identified by the others. What He said was a statement that one who ate with Him was violating the rights of hospitality by betraying him: to eat at another’s home carried an obligation to be his friend.

The following words of the Lord Jesus are proof that Judas was acting voluntarily:

1. The Messiah would die, as prophesied in the Old Testament, in other words, the fact that it already was prophesied, eliminated all doubt that it would happen, "by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). It was God's intention that He be sacrificed for the sin of humankind, so it was going to happen regardless of human will.

2. Who, however, betrayed Him would be committing a great and terrible crime, subject to a punishment equal to the crime. It would be so great, that it would have been better if he had never been born, or, at this point, if it were as if he had never been born, i.e. annihilated. It was a common saying among the Jews of that time.

Although it had been predetermined in the prophecies that the Saviour would be betrayed and die in this way, the crime of Judas was so great because:

• To betray the Son of God is a very serious crime, whether prophesied or not. It is a crime against God and the Lord Jesus; on the part of Judas, it was also ingratitude, greed and treachery of the basest.

• God's purpose did not affect Judas - he acted of his free and spontaneous will. He followed the evil desires of his heart.

• Prior knowledge of some action, or an existing plan to execute it, does not change its legal nature.

• God, the Supreme Judge of sin, considers that “lawless hands” did everything that was done to carry out the crucifixion of the Saviour, although with His foreknowledge, (Acts 2:23).

This example proves to us that sinners cannot take refuge in the claim that they are only following the dictates of God's plan for humanity, or use it as an excuse. The sins will bring their own punishment.

Apparently, Judas had been silent so far, but no doubt was surprised by the Lord already being aware of his fraud. To be sure, he now asked Him the same question as the others, but perhaps significantly called him "Master" instead of "Lord" like the others.

John, who identifies himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved", reclining beside the Lord on this occasion, gives us more details about what happened next, and how clearly He identified Judas, giving him “a piece of bread when He had dipped it.” (John 13:26). After that, "Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, What you do, do quickly" (John 13:27). Judas went out immediately, but those at the table did not understand what had happened.

The Lord's Supper

Now, without Judas at the table, the Lord Jesus introduced what we call the "Lord's Supper", "Breaking of Bread" or "Communion".

The Passover meal was symbolic of the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. The main symbol was the lamb that was sacrificed, remembering that which each family sacrificed on that occasion and sprinkled its blood to save their firstborn from death. John the Baptist, the last and greatest prophet, presented the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Undoubtedly, the paschal lamb was His symbol.

The reality was to come the next day, when the Lord Jesus gave His life on the cross. Knowing this, He now introduced two new symbols to replace the Passover lamb, to remind His disciples of His death. It is noteworthy that it was the custom among the Jews to give bread and a "cup of consolation" to those who were mourning (Jeremiah 16:7).

The Lord Jesus took the unleavened bread they ate, blessed it, and broke it, giving it to his disciples. The verb "bless" can often be translated "gave thanks" and this is the meaning here. It was usual among the Jews to give thanks before a meal. It did not give a special virtue to the bread. The Lord explained that the bread symbolized His body which would be given for us (1 Corinthians 11:24) through His death. Obviously, it was not literally His body, which was there, alive, in front of them.

Then the Lord took the cup, ordered everyone to drink of it, and declared that (the content) was His blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the remission of sins. It would be spilled during the crucifixion. What was inside was not blood, but it would be a symbol of His blood, spilled for those who believe in Him, so He said "many" not "all."

The Lord Jesus told His disciples that this was the last time He would drink the "fruit of the vine" with them until one day, when He would drink it new in the kingdom of His Father: the "fruit of the vine", literally, is grape juice. It is remarkable that He did not say "wine". Incidentally, there is no mention of wine in reference to the Lord's Supper in the Bible, only the cup, and the "fruit of the vine" here. Therefore, wine is merely a tradition not supported by the Bible.

It is understood that it is possible that on this occasion it was the same wine commonly used in meals at that time, with minimal alcohol content, either because it was fairly soon after harvest, or mixed with water or even boiled to reduce the alcohol content. The Lord Jesus speaks of drinking it "new" again in the kingdom of God - clearly grape juice.

The Lord Jesus knew He would rise again to complete the work of redemption, and that the kingdom of God was starting spiritually. Shortly after resurrection He attended meals with His disciples again, where there was "fruit of the vine" to drink, thus fulfilling His promise.

There is an assumption that He was referring to His second coming, when He will launch the kingdom of God physically in the world, and that the Lord's Supper will continue to be held in everlasting remembrance of His redemptive work, just as the Israelites should celebrate Passover. However, 1 Corinthians 11:25 suggests that the Lord's Supper will be taken only during the period of His absence, which casts doubt on this assumption.

Finally, before leaving, they sang a hymn (probably taken from Psalms 113-118, traditionally sung on this occasion), and departed for the Mount of Olives.

 

R David Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"

 

 

 

 

18 And 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." ' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.
Mat 26:21 Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."

22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"
23 He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."

 

 

 

27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew chapter 26, verses 17 to 30