Luke 22:20

Luke 22:20, in plain English

After supper, Jesus takes another cup and says it represents the new covenant — a new promise between God and humanity — sealed with His own blood, poured out for you.

Why it's here

This is one of the most profound moments in all of Scripture. Jesus is creating a brand-new agreement between God and people, and His sacrifice is what makes it official.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks with the weight of eternity, offering the most costly gift possible — His own life — to establish a new relationship between you and God.

Where it sits in the story

Long ago, God's covenant with Israel was sealed with animal blood. Now Jesus says His own blood will seal a new and better covenant. Every time you take communion, you're touching this moment — the night Jesus offered everything so you could have a new relationship with God.

The scholarly reading

The cup 'after supper' (meta to deipnēsai) is identified as the 'new covenant (kainē diathēkē) in My blood,' echoing Jeremiah 31:31-34. The blood being 'poured out' (ekchynnomenon) uses sacrificial terminology for the inauguration of this covenant.

Language and setting

By declaring a 'new covenant,' Jesus fulfills Jeremiah's prophecy and supersedes the Sinai covenant ratified by animal blood (Exodus 24:8). The cup represents the blood that seals this new, superior covenant.

Voice

Jesus interprets the Passover cup with radical new meaning, declaring it the seal of the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah, established through His own sacrificial death.

Significance

The second cup carries the meal's most revolutionary claim. Where Moses sprinkled animal blood to seal God's covenant with Israel, Jesus offers His own blood to seal a new and better covenant. Centuries of prophetic promise culminate in a single cup of wine.

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.”

20In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

21Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.

22Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

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.