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The Last Supper: Part Six

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Scripture 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 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Five”, click here.

 

Isaiah 65:18
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.

 

THE SPLICE

 

Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?  So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? 1 We do not know what He is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 2 Truly, truly, I say to you, that 3 you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but 4 your grief will be turned into joy. Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and 5 no one will take your joy away away from you. 6 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in 7 My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be 8 scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet 9 I am not alone because the Father is with Me. You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 10 I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 11 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, yet I will not; I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice  “The Last Supper: Part Seven”, click here.

NOTES

 

1  We do not know what He is talking about:  The disciples are referring to what Jesus had said in John 16:16. Jesus had told the disciples (and others) a couple of times that He was going to die and rise again (see Matthew 17:9, 12, 22-23; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44, John 7:33-34; 10:15-18) and He even tells them how He will die in John 12:32-33. In Mark 9:32 and Luke 9:45 we are told that the disciples didn’t understand the previous statements of death because the meaning was concealed from them and they were afraid to ask about it. Things will become a little clearer to the disciples by John 16:29, but it is doubtful they have a complete understanding. (BACK)

2  Truly, truly, I say to you: The Greek word for truly is amén and it means “verily, truly, amen”. It’s meant to express “so be it”. This phrasing is important, because in using the word amén, a person is placing emphasis on the truth of their statement or they are nodding in agreement with a statement that is called truth. Jesus uses amén twice, almost like an “extra strength” amén, proclaiming the truth of His words. (BACK)

3 You will weep and lament: See Mark 16:10. (BACK)

4 your grief will be turned into joy: See John 20:20. There is also the future joy, as described in Revelation 21:1-22:5. (BACK)

5 no one will take your joy away: John 16:22. The Greek word used for joy is chara and it means “joy, gladness”. This kind of joy is not fleeting happiness, which is a changing emotion. Joy is bigger than happiness and is sustained by the Holy Spirit as a fruit of the Spirit (see Romans 14:17 and  Galatians 5:22). Joy does not depend on any emotions or your situation in the world. It is the kind of joy that allowed Paul and Silas sing praises to God while imprisoned, even after being beaten with rods (see Acts 16:22-25).  (BACK)

6 In that day you will not question Me about anything: John 16:23. The Greek word used for question is erótaó and it means “ask, request”. It means to present a request, whether humbly or otherwise.  (BACK)

7  My Name: It is important to understand that a person’s name in Jesus’s era was unseparated from their character. Therefore, going to the Father in Jesus’s name means in His will, see 1 John 5:14. Whatever your prayers are about, thankfulness should be the crowning attitude (Philippians 4:6).  (BACK)

8 scattered, each to his own home: This scattering takes place in Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). Since they are in Jerusalem, we can assume that the disciples scatter to the place/s they are staying at in/around Jerusalem, not all the way back to Capernaum, as would be the situation in Peter’s and Andrew’s cases (see Matthew 8:5, 14; Mark 1:21, 29; Luke 4:31, 38). Regardless of where they are scattered to, they are all together again, at least for a partial amount of time, by Sunday (Luke 24:33).  (BACK)

9 I am not alone: Just like Jesus, we can say that we never alone when we belong to God. Psalm 34:4-7 and Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 are striking reminders of His protection and deliverance in times of trouble. We can take comfort in knowing that when He allows us to go through difficulties, He will sustain us. See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 for Paul’s declaration on the sufficiency of God’s grace. (BACK)

10 I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD: Jesus is referencing Zechariah 13:7 (BACK)

11 But Peter said: See Matthew 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31. This is the return to the conversation Jesus and Peter had earlier as described in John 13:36-38 and Luke 22: 31-34. We know that Matthew/Mark and Luke/John are describing two different conversations because in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 it is stated that Jesus and the disciples have already left for the Mount of Olives. Luke and John describe the conversation they are giving the account for as taking place before leaving the upper room. Jesus and the disciples are described as leaving the upper room for Luke in Luke 22:39 and for John in John 14:31. (BACK)

The Last Supper: Part Five

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Scripture 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 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Four”, click here.

 

Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

 

THE SPLICE

1 You did not choose Me but I chose you,and appointed you that you would go and 2 bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in 3 My Name He may give to you. 4 This I command you that you love one another.  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world,5 the world would love its own but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you,6 ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they7 persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but 8 now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did,  they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law,9 THEY HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE. When the 10 Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you11 outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is12 offering service to God.  These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, “Where are You going?” But because I have said these things to you,13 sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the14 Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 15 concerning sin 16 because they do not 17 believe in Me; and 18 concerning righteousness , because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the 19 ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 20 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. A little while, and 21 you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Six” click here.

 

NOTES

 

1 You did not choose Me but I chose you:  This is true for all of us who belong to God, not just the Twelve. God chose us, long before the world was even created. (see Ephesians 1:4) (BACK)

2 bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain: We were made to do good works for God (Ephesians 2:10). These good works run in accordance with the fruit that we are to bear, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.  In contrast, the things of the world or of the flesh are described in Galatians 5:19-21. It is in our nature to do the worldly things described in Galatians 5:19-21 (see Romans 1:29-31 for more worldly attitudes). When we become the adopted sons of God, it is the things of the Spirit that we strive to do, and by the grace of God, we actually do them (at least in some capacity). It is important to understand that because we are still under the curse (recorded in Genesis 3), we fight within ourselves NOT to be slaves to the things of the world, and yet, we fail (see Paul’s comments on this struggle in Romans 7:21-23). With Christ, we are not under the Law for these sins, but if you are a true, faithful doulos of Christ, it should be bothering you if you do them, just like Paul’s lament in Romans 7:24. See Romans 8 for more on on our deliverance and victory in Jesus.(BACK)

3 My Name: It is important to understand that asking anything of the Father in the name of Jesus means within the character and will of God (1 John 5:14). If you are a slave of Jesus (Romans 6:22), you do have the inheritance of Christ (Colossians 3:24), as you are now an adopted son (“son” is a general term, there is no male or female within the spiritual realm, Galatians 3:28) of God (Ephesians 1:5). But it is apparent and logical that both sons and slaves have no power over the Father or Owner of them (John 13:16). After all, it is He who saved us, not the other way around (Titus 3:5). (BACK)

4 This I command you: This commandment was also given way back in Leviticus 19:18. What does it mean to love? Jesus said that there was no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends in John 15:13. God loved us so much, He gave His own Son to reconcile sinners to Himself (John 3:16). We can definitely gather that love is sacrificial and unselfish. To understand more about love, see 1 Corinthians 13. Also, see the analysis, All About Love, for explanation on 1 Corinthians 13.(BACK)

5 the world would love its own: See Romans 1:21-32. This portion of Romans sounds very familiar even in today’s world, especially if you really think about what is given general approval in society. None of the ungodly behaviors mentioned in Romans 1:21-31 should be the practice of those claiming to belong to Christ.(BACK)

6 ‘A slave is not greater than his master’: John 15:20. Jesus had mentioned this to the disciples earlier that night in John 13:16, but He had also said something very similar earlier in His ministry, as recorded in Matthew 10:24.(BACK)

7 persecuted Me: The persecution began when Jesus was just a baby, with Herod’s slaughter of all boys under the age of two, as described in Matthew 2:16. We don’t get any reports of persecution until Jesus’s ministry, which He began when He was around 30 years old (Luke 3:23). Throughout His ministry, persecution was from the people in the synagogues (Luke 4:28-30), the religious leaders, (John 8:48, 52, 10:31, 11:47-53) and even people in His own family (John 7:3-5) and supposed friends (John 13:2). The disciples were also probably harassed along side with Him, if you judge by the these comments in John 9:27-28; 11:16; 12:10. The harassment and persecution would get worse for the apostles (as well as any follower of Jesus’s) after Jesus’s resurrection, as told throughout Acts. Here are some specific spots were you can read about the apostles’ persecution and the persecution of other followers as well: Acts 4:1-21; 5:17-44; 6:8-14; 7:54-8:3; 9:1; 11:19; 12:1-6; 16:22-24; 25:1-26:32. For believers today who refuse to back down from what is truth in God’s word, the persecution is mostly kept to name-calling and “canceling”. However, the persecution is expected to increase in time, see Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4.(BACK)

8 now they have no excuse:Their sin is disbelief in Christ. Some actually attributed His miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:22-24; Mark 3:22). Even at the most basic level, no one has any excuse for their disbelief in God, because He has given us enough to know that He exists, see Romans 1:18-20.(BACK)

9 THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE: Jesus is referencing Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4. (BACK)

10 Helper comes: The Helper is the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is as follows (this list is not exhaustive): to convict people of their sin and to show them what righteousness means (John 16:8). For those who heed the conviction of their sin, He regenerates us for our justification by Jesus (Titus 3:5-7). He guides believers in all truth (John 16:13). He enables us and causes us to live in obedience to God’s moral laws (Ezekiel 36:27). He gives us our spiritual life (John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6) and dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). He helps us in our weakness, and intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27). To sum it up, the Holy Spirit, Who investigates all things (even God, see 1 Corinthians 2:10)  is the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, truth and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; 1 John 5:6). (BACK)

11 outcasts from the synagogue: The synagogue was the place where everyone in a town gathered. Inside the synagogue, the Jews conducted religious teaching as well as the worship of God, but they also conducted public court appearances and other general town assemblies there. Outcasting a person from the synagogue was condemning them to total pariah-hood from daily and normal Jewish life. To read about some recent archaeological excavations that surfaced some ancient synagogues in Israel, click here.(BACK)

12 offering service to God: An example of such an erroneous demonstration can be found in Saul (a.k.a Paul, see Acts 13:9) at the martyring of Stephen and afterwards of other followers of Christ (Acts 7:58-8:3, 9:1-2).  Paul eventually changes his ways (Acts 9:3-30), and does end up on the receiving end of the same persecution that he meted out to others, as pronounced by Jesus in Acts 9:16. We don’t know exactly how Paul died, but many hold to the tradition that he was martyred by Nero after the fire in Rome (a fire that was blamed on Christians). To read about some of the persecution experienced by Paul after his conversion, see Acts 9:20-29; 13:50; 16:19-24. Paul gives us a description of his sufferings for Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. We also know Paul wrote, at the very least, these books from prison: Ephesians (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), Philippians (Philippians 1:7, 13, 14, 17), Colossians (Colossians 4:18), 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 1:8, 16, 2:9),  and Philemon (Philemon 1:1, 9, 13).(BACK)

13 sorrow has filled your heart: The sorrow of the disciples seems to last through the night.  The verses of Matthew 26:43 and Mark 14:40 say that in Gethsemane, the disciples’ eyes were very heavy and they were falling asleep. It is in Luke 22:45 where we learn that the sleepiness is due to sorrow. Their sorrow was caused by many things. Jesus has told  the disciples that He will be leaving and the disciples cannot come with Him (John 13:33, 36). Earlier that night, they were told by Jesus that one of them would be betraying Him. Peter is even told that he will be tested by Satan and due to this testing, Peter will deny his friendship (as well as his discipleship) with Jesus that very night. If that weren’t enough, each and every disciple will “fall away”, deserting Him while He is taken under arrest. See Matthew 26:21, 22, 31-35; Mark 14:18-20, 27-31; Luke 22:21-23, 31-34; John 13:21-22, 37-38; 16:32). The disciples have also been told that they will be hated and persecuted (John 15:18-25), but they’ve been experiencing all sorts of hate and persecution already, see Note 7.  Jesus has been forthcoming about His own feelings at the impending betrayal of Judas (John 13:21) and the grief He feels about the subsequent sacrifice that will follow (Matthew 26:37-39; Mark 14:33-36; Luke 22:41-44). For the disciples, all of these things would certainly lend itself to feeling sorrow throughout the entire evening, even before all of the horrors unfold on the next day.(BACK)

14 Helper: John 16:7. The Greek word used for Helper is paraklétos and it means “Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, Helper”. The word can be used in a general sense or a legal sense. Generally, it means someone who gives support, encouragement, or assistance to another. It even applies to someone who intercedes for another. Legally, it means an advocate. The word paraklétos has the feeling of personal involvement and understanding on the part of the helper.   (BACK)

15 concerning sin: John 16:9. The Greek phrasing of John 16:9 transliterally says “about sin, truly, because/since they not have faith/trust in Me”. The Greek word used for sin is hamartia which means “missing the mark, sin, guilt”.  Sin is the leaving off from God’s ways and choosing to pursue your own ways. The Greek word for truly is men and it means “truly, indeed” and is used as an emphasis for the next clause in the sentence. The Greek word for faith (or trust) is pisteuó and it means “to believe, faith, trust, reliance upon”.  This kind of belief has strong personal connection and persuasion; it isn’t a casual or shallow knowledge. Because of the way this sentence is structured, we can understand that the sin Jesus is speaking about is rejecting God-given faith and trust in Jesus. Rejecting faith in Christ is the sin that equals eternal death (John 3:16). All the other sins will be forgiven, except for the one where the Holy Spirit is blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32). This is because the Holy Spirit is the Guide of all truth (John 16:13) and the Witness of Christ (Acts 5:32), and blasphemy would be rejection of the truth. All who belong to Christ have the Holy Spirit and He is the One that lets you know in that proof-positive way that you belong to God (Romans 8:9, 16; Ephesians 1:13-14). Also see Note 17. (BACK)

16 because: John 16:9. The Greek word for because is hoti and it means “that, since, for, because”. It might be more clear for some readers to insert “since” instead of  “because” when reading John 16:9-11. (BACK)

17 believe Me: Not having that trust and faith in Christ is the one sin that cannot be forgiven (see Note 15). If one chooses to keep to the side of sin, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin in Christ (Hebrews 10:26-27). This is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. His testimony regarding Jesus and regarding sin is irrefutable (see Matthew 16:15-17 and then see 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 which cites it is through the Spirit that God imparts wisdom and knowledge of Him). However, you have to be empowered by God to repent and have this faith in the Holy Spirit’s testimony (John 6:44; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:25). (BACK)

18 concerning righteousness: John 16:10. The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosuné and it means “just/justified or right”. A believer’s “rightness” is not their own righteousness that they have conjured up themselves or earned in any way. A saved person’s  righteousness has been granted to them through Jesus (Romans 3:21-28).(BACK)

19 ruler of this world: The ruler of this world is Satan (1 John 5:19). Satan means “adversary”. Here are some basic things we know about the devil: we know there is a battle in heaven, (Revelation 12:7-9). We know that by the beginning of the human race, Satan was on earth, because he was mobile in the body of a serpent, spreading lies with murderous intent (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44). We know that on at least two occasions, when holy angels presented themselves to God, he showed up as well (Job 1:6, 2:1). We know he is always looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8) and using his minions of humans, he will try to destroy those who belong to God, even though that cannot happen (Matthew 24:24; Romans 8:29-39). Still, he doesn’t mind trying, and will even pretend to be a believer and give all the outward appearances of one (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). We also know his destruction is imminent (Revelation 20:10). In order to stand against all of Satan’s temptations and deception, we have two defenses: we are to submit to God, standing firm in our faith and resist Satan (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9) and we are to stand in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).(BACK)

20 All things that the Father has are Mine: Jesus mentions in Matthew 11:27 that God has handed all things over to Him. This is probably because all things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).(BACK)

21 You will no longer see Me…see Me: Of course, the disciples did not see Jesus while He was in the grave. After Jesus’s resurrection, He appeared to them and talked with them for 40 days. See Acts 1:3.(BACK)

 

 

The Last Supper: Part Two

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Scripture 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)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part One”, click here

 

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, 1 Jesus 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; 2 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, and giving thanks, and 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 3 new covenant in My blood; My blood of the covenant, which is poured out 4 for many for forgiveness of sins; 5 do 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 6 a 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. 7 After the morsel, Satan then entered into Judas. Therefore Jesus said to Judas, “What you do, do quickly.” 8 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because 9 Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of 10 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.

 

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Three” click here

 

 

NOTES

1  Jesus took some bread: Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:17-20 introduce us to the memorial of Holy Communion. John does not mention it at all. Because of Luke’s account (particularly in verse 21 with the usage of the Greek word meta), we could, with relative confidence, list Judas as “in attendance” for this church-wide ordinance, with the understanding that the Bible does not explicitly give the particulars of his whereabouts during that aspect of the night. (Back)

2 this is My body which is given for you: There are certain Christian sects that insist that this is a literal transformation: that the communion wafer turns into the actual body of Jesus, and the wine turns into the actual blood of Jesus, during Holy Communion. This idea is called transubstantiation. Holy Communion is a symbolic, not a literal, transformation. First of all, cannibalism is spoken of as a judgment from God in the Bible, and therefore by extension, forbidden as a practice for God-fearing people (Jeremiah 19:9; Ezekiel 5:10; Micah 3:3-4) and Jesus would never entertain forbidden practices (John 8:29) or introduce them into the church. Drinking animal blood is forbidden, much less from human beings (Leviticus 17:14). Jesus Himself tells us that the eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood is a metaphoric idea: He has come down from heaven and is the Way to eternal life with God, as explained in John 6:41-65. Plus, you can see it in your hand and taste it in your mouth. It’s unleavened bread in the form of oyster crackers (or whatever your church uses) and grape juice (or wine) in a tiny cup. (Back)

3 new covenant in My blood: There was an original or old covenant with the people of Israel, see Exodus 24, in particular verses 6-8. Hebrews 9 and 10:1-18 give a thorough explanation on the old and new covenants. Jesus’s sacrifice is once and for all (Hebrews 10:10) and there is no need to sacrifice any animals, especially since their blood never took away sins (Hebrews 10:4). Why have the old covenant, with the Law of God and animal sacrifices in the first place? The Law shows us that we are sinners and are under judgment by God (Romans 3:19-20). The animal sacrifices show that only blood will atone for sin (Hebrews 9:22). The old covenant was a preview of the perfect covenant in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:4-10). (Back)

4 for many for forgiveness of sins: This is only applicable to those who will accept the forgiveness, not a blanket statement for everyone in the entire world (Hebrews 10:26-30, 1 John 1:9). Forgiveness is offered to the entire world (John 3:16), and God doesn’t want anyone to perish in hell (1 Timothy 2:4), but many just won’t let go of their own ideals/identities, admit to their sin (1 John 1:8, 10) and repent of their sin (Luke 5:32), and take the only Way to God (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6). If we confess our sins (this is a part of repentance), acknowledging that God is right and we are wrong, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). (Back)

5  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 statement in their accounts, but Paul received this information from Jesus Himself. Luke does include Jesus’s words “in remembrance of Me” concerning the bread, but not the wine, in Luke 22:19. See 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 for Paul’s account. (Back)

6  a dispute among them: From Luke 22:24. It is possible that the disciples were debating for someone other than themselves (John arguing Peter’s merits, for example), but human nature says that they were arguing the case for themselves (John for John’s merits, Peter for Peter’s merits). This seems especially probable, as they have had these arguments before (Luke 9:46-48). And then, there was that audacious request from the Zebedee family: that Jesus would seat John and James at Jesus’s right and left hand (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45) in His kingdom.  The argument of “I am the best” would be what the world calls “tooting your own horn”. In reality, it is a gross and blatant display of pride. Pride is a world view and is not of God (Proverbs 11:2, 25:27; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 1 Peter 5:5.  (Back)

7  After the morsel: This is from John 13:26-27.  It never says if Judas actually eats this bit of food.  (Back)

8  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? It would seem that the words of Jesus and the action of giving the morsel would be enough to give a hint as to who the culprit is. Perhaps they were purposely blinded from the meaning of the conversation, as a provision from God, so that they would not try to stop Judas. (see Note 29 in The Last Supper: Part One) (Back)

9 Judas had the money box: The money box was full of donations, and the donations we know about are from women (Luke 8:3). Judas’s grip on the money box began long before this night (John 12:4-6). Also see 1 Timothy 6:9-10. (Back)

10 for the feast: Passover is a feast that lasts for seven days. There is the first night of Passover (on the 14th), where the lamb is eaten, along with the bitter herbs. The next day, on the 15th, The Feast of Unleavened Bread is observed. Since the Passover meal has already been consumed, it is possible that the feast meant is for the next day/rest of the days of Passover. See Exodus 12:1-20; Leviticus 23:5-6; Numbers 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Ezekiel 45:21. (Back)