Text Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series
Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)
Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)
Luke 22:7-40 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)
John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)
Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
THE SPLICE
While they were eating, 1Jesus took some bread and after a blessing and having given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it and eat; this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way, after they had eaten, He took the cup used earlier, and giving thanks, He gave it to them saying, while they all drank from it, “Drink from it, all of you; this cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood; My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins; 2do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. And there arose also 3a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. Jesus had dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 4After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 5Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast” or else, that he should give something to the poor. So after receiving the morsel Judas went out immediately; and it was night.
- Jesus took some bread: Was Judas present at the introduction of Holy Communion? We cannot tell by Scripture, so anything here is pure speculation. By the accounts of Mark, John or Matthew, there is no indication as to when Judas left. Luke could possibly have given us the indication, but we can’t really tell. Since I have no idea, I am going to go by Luke’s account, attributing the simplest explanation: that Luke is giving the spoken word of Jesus immediately after explaining the symbolism of the cup of wine He was giving to the disciples. Here are my arguments “for” and “against“. ↩︎
- do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me: This instruction of Jesus’s is from 1 Corinthians 11:25. None of the gospel writers include this comment in their accounts, but Paul said he received this information from Jesus Himself. See 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. ↩︎
- a dispute among them: From Luke 22:24. Perhaps the disciples were debating for someone other than themselves (John arguing Peter’s merits, for example), but human nature says that they were trying to argue the case for why they would be considered “the best” (John for John’s merits, Peter for Peter’s merits). This argument would be what the world calls “tooting your own horn”, which is a gross and blatant display of pride. Contrary to the world view, pride is a sin. We need to ask God daily for assistance in keeping our pride smothered, if you are an actual Christian who cares about Jesus. A holy dignity and holy joy in Christ should replace pride in the Christian.
Luke 22:24 is also an excellent reminder that God is listening to every single thing we say and every single thing we think; He sees every cringy motive and embarrassing action. There are lots of verses on the evils of pride but here are a few to reference: Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 27:2; Proverbs 29:23; James 4:6. ↩︎ - After the morsel: This is from John 13:26-30. I’ve always just wondered: did Judas actually eat the piece of food Jesus gave to him, the piece signifying that Judas was, indeed, the betrayer? ↩︎
- Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him: Did the others not see the morsel passed or hear the conversation? Although the conversation between Jesus and Judas is not specific (that we are reading about; could have been more that wasn’t included in the Bible), it would seem that the words and the action of giving the morsel would be enough to give a hint as to who the culprit is. (see footnote 11 in The Last Supper, Part One) ↩︎