Luke 22:17

Luke 22:17, in plain English

Jesus takes a cup of wine, gives thanks to God, and tells His friends to share it among themselves. A simple act that's about to gain eternal significance.

Why it's here

Sharing a cup was a normal part of the Passover meal, but Jesus is quietly transforming familiar rituals into something brand new.

Who's speaking

Jesus acts as the host of the meal, leading with gratitude even on the night He would be betrayed.

Where it sits in the story

There's something so intimate about sharing a single cup. Jesus passes it around the table to His closest friends, and in that simple gesture of sharing, He's planting the seed of what Christians have done ever since — communion.

The scholarly reading

Jesus takes the potērion (cup), gives eucharistēsas (thanks), and instructs them to diamerisate (divide/share) it among themselves. This cup likely corresponds to one of the traditional four Passover cups.

Language and setting

Luke uniquely records a cup before the bread (verses 17-18) and after (verse 20), possibly reflecting the multiple cups of the Passover Seder. The thanksgiving over the cup follows standard Jewish berakah practice.

Voice

Jesus presides over the Passover meal as host, taking the traditional cup and transforming its meaning through His thanksgiving and instructions.

Significance

Jesus takes the familiar Passover cup and gives thanks — a routine act at every Jewish festive meal. But His instruction to share it carries new significance: this communal act of drinking together is about to become the foundation of Christian communion.

15And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.

16For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

17After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.

18For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

19And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Read all of Luke 22 — The upper room, a betrayer's kiss, a servant's ear, and Peter's denial by firelight. The longest night in history begins.