The Lord's Supper

Passage

Matthew 26:26–29 NKJV

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.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Three: The King’s Preparation (Matthew 26:1–56)

The Lord’s Supper reminds us to look ahead for Christ’s return. We will observe this supper until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26). The Passover pointed ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The Lord’s Supper announces that this great work has been accomplished.

The Gospel of Matthew: The Triumph of the King, (Matthew 18–28), Volume 2: An Expositional Commentary The Last Supper

The heart of this passage is Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper in verses 26–30. Jesus would probably have been following the ritual for the Passover. He may have blessed the bread with the familiar words, “Praise be to you, Yahweh, our God, King of the world, who brings forth bread from the earth.” But suddenly, as he finished the prayer, broke the bread, and began to distribute it around the table, he announced in words that were a sharp break from all that was familiar, “This is my body” (v. 26).

1 Corinthians 11:23–27 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.