New Testament · Gospel

Mark 14:23

Betrayal Begins

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. Mark 14:23 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 14:23, in plain English

Then Jesus took a cup of wine, gave thanks to God, and passed it to them. They all drank from it.

Why it's here

Sharing one cup among all of them was an act of profound unity. They were all part of the same covenant, the same family, the same story.

Who's speaking

Jesus shares the cup with His disciples.

Where it sits in the story

One cup, passed from hand to hand. In that simple act, Jesus was binding them together — and binding Himself to them — in a covenant sealed with His own life.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus takes the cup (likely the third cup of the Seder, the 'cup of redemption'), gives thanks (eucharistesas — the root of 'Eucharist'), and shares it communally.

Language and setting

The Passover Seder included four cups of wine; the third cup, drunk after the meal, was associated with God's promise of redemption (Exodus 6:6).

Voice

Jesus takes the cup and gives it to the disciples.

Significance

The cup of the new covenant follows the bread, completing the sacramental institution that will define Christian worship for all subsequent generations.

In context

Mark 14:21–25

21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.”

23Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

25Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”

Read all of Mark 14 — A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume while Judas negotiates his price. The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Peter's denial unfold in rapid succession.

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