Session 13
Matthew 26:17-30
Memory Verse: Matthew 26:28
This lesson from Matthew 26:17-30 is set around the final Passover meal Jesus ate with His disciples just before His death. The first part (vv. 17-25) focuses on Jesus’s announcement of His betrayal. This revelation left the Twelve-or at least eleven of them-in shock, wondering which of them was the betrayer.
In the second part (vv. 26-30) Jesus used the bread and wine to introduce a new symbolism into the ceremony that originally commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The new element Jesus introduced has become known as “the Lord’s Supper.” Jesus explained that His body would be broken and His blood would be poured out not only for these disciples but also for all who would become His followers in the future-the “many.” All of this would be “for the forgiveness of sins” and to establish the New Covenant.
As you study this passage describing the night before Jesus’s crucifixion, write a brief summary of your salvation experience. Include a prayer of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice. During the session, help the group gain a better understanding of what the Lord’s Supper is and what makes it so important for believers.
None of us knows the precise time and date of our death. We do know, however, that death is a certainty for all. Consider this scenario: you know the exact day of your impending death, but no one else knows. You throw a dinner party for your family and friends, knowing this will be the last meal you will have with them. What emotions do you think you would experience if this scenario played out in reality? (PSG, p. 114)
On Tuesday afternoon of Holy Week Jesus left Jerusalem with His disciples and rested on the Mount of Olives. In response to His disciples’ questions in Matthew 24:3, in chapters 24-25 Jesus explained the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and His future return. That night, Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive, fragrant oil. Those present at the dinner were shocked by what they considered a waste (Matt. 26:6-13;
Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8).
On Wednesday, Judas completed a bargain with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6). On Thursday, Jesus sent two of His disciples into Jerusalem to complete the arrangements for the Passover celebration. That evening, Jesus and the disciples entered a large upper room to share their last meal together before His death (Matt. 26:20). This Passover meal was important to Jesus. In his Gospel, Luke wrote that Jesus “fervently desired” to share this meal with His followers (Luke 22:15).
The Feast of Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as the death angel passed over the homes that were marked by the blood of a lamb. It was observed on the fourteenth day of Nisan, which is late March or early April on our calendars. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which recalled the urgency of the exodus, immediately followed and lasted for seven days. These festivals were back-to-back celebrations of God’s deliverance.
By the first century, Passover and The Feast of Unleavened Bread had merged into a single, eight-day celebration (Ezra 6:19-22; Luke 22:1). These festivals occurred at the beginning of the barley harvest in the spring (Lev. 23:10-14) and were among the three pilgrim festivals (along with Pentecost and The Feast of Tabernacles, Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16) when all Jewish males living in proximity to Jerusalem were required to travel to the temple and present their offerings.
Jesus and His disciples had been staying in Bethany on the far side of the Mount of Olives (Matt. 21:17; 26:6). Jewish law required that the Passover meal be celebrated within Jerusalem’s city limits, so Jesus identified a place in the city where they could gather for this special celebration. They met in “a large, furnished room upstairs” (Luke 22:11-12).
Such spaces would have been difficult to find in the city because it was flooded with thousands of pilgrims, all looking for places to eat the Passover with their families or households. But, as always, Jesus was able to provide exactly what was needed at exactly the right time.
Read Matthew 26:17-30 in your Bible. What emotions do you think the disciples felt at this “final meal” with Jesus, especially considering the statement about betrayal? (PSG, p. 115)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with me in the bowl-he will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, his betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” “You have said it,” he told him.
Where do you want us to make preparations for . . . the Passover implies that Jesus already knew where they would celebrate the festival. Luke 22:8 named Peter and John as the disciples Jesus sent into the city to get things ready. Jesus told them to locate a certain man and to tell him that the Teacher’s time is near. This referred to Jesus’s impending death and seems to indicate that Jesus had shared what lay ahead for Him with this unnamed man.
Prepared the Passover involved arrangement of the room and the food for the meal. It also could have included sacrificing the lamb at the temple and transporting it to the site where it would be roasted and eaten. Other parts of the meal included greens, bitter herbs mixed with stewed fruit, wine, and unleavened bread.
That evening, Thursday night, Jesus and the Twelve were reclining at the table in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Jews adopted the Roman arrangement called triclinium for their formal feasts. This involved couches arranged in a U-shaped pattern with a low table in the center. Each guest reclined on his left elbow and took food with his right hand.
During the meal, Jesus made a startling announcement: One of you will betray me. Even though Jesus previously had referred to His coming betrayal (Matt. 17:22; 20:18; Mark 9:31; 10:33; Luke 9:44), this time He suggested a member of His inner circle would be involved.
The disciples were deeply distressed, especially since this revelation came during a meal that symbolized close relationship.
Four items are noteworthy in the shared response: “Surely not I, Lord?” First, the Greek structure expects a “no” from Jesus. Second, eleven of the disciples acknowledged Jesus as Lord. Third, Judas spoke up last, probably to avoid attention. Fourth, when Judas did speak, he called Jesus “Rabbi,” rather than Lord
(v. 25).
Dipped his hand with me probably does not mean their hands would be in a bowl at the same time. Instead, the betrayer was present at the meal. This hint was ambiguous since Jesus referred only to the one and because all the disciples had shared the dinner bowl with Jesus.
Using His favorite term, Son of Man, Jesus tied His betrayal to both Scripture and human responsibility. This betrayal was written about him. However, He added a woe to the betrayer (see Matt. 11:21-22; 18:7; 23:13-29). Jesus said it would be better if the betrayer had not been born than to face God’s wrath for
this duplicity.
Finally speaking up, Judas used the same construction as the others, expecting a negative reply. As noted, he called Jesus his Rabbi, rather than “Lord.” He would address Jesus the same way in Gethsemane (26:49). Jesus’s reply, You have said it, let Judas know that Jesus was aware of his disloyalty.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
In verses 26-28, Jesus explained the theological reason for His death. As Jesus took bread and broke it, He prayed a blessing over it. In giving it to His disciples to eat, Jesus also introduced a new meaning to this ancient ritual.
Jesus’s command to take and eat it allowed each disciple to be an active participant in His body, which the broken bread represented. By this simple act Jesus transformed the Passover memorial into “the Lord’s Supper.” To be clear, Jesus’s words were symbolic.
The lamb’s blood was a major feature in the Passover ritual (Ex. 12:7,13,22-23). But now Jesus focused on His own blood, represented by the wine in a cup. Four cups were used during the Passover meal. Taking this one, possibly the third, Jesus gave thanks and urged His disciples to drink from it. That Jesus had them drink from a common cup symbolized their unity.
Poured out indicates a violent death and reflected Old Testament sacrificial language for atonement (see Ex. 29:12). The promises of God to Moses were central to Judaism and the Passover, but Jesus was initiating a new covenant based on His sacrifice (see Jer. 31:31-34).
For many points to the substitutionary nature of Jesus’s death. It also emphasizes that the redeemed community would be larger than just those followers of Jesus in the room at that moment. Meanwhile, for the forgiveness of sins goes to the heart of Jesus’s death (see Matt. 1:21; 20:28). Ultimately, that is why He came.
But I tell you again called for hearers to pay close attention. Then using a strong double negative, Jesus emphasized that this was the last Passover-but not the last meal-He would share with them. He simply would abstain from the fruit of the vine (either diluted wine or grape juice) until His return. On that day, He would drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. Jesus’s emphasis was not on His abstinence but on the coming of the kingdom. With you reassured the disciples they would be present.
The Passover meal was required to end before midnight. To conclude the celebration, the host would lead the guests in singing a hymn. Normally, Psalms 115-118 (called “Hallel” psalms”) were used.
From the upper room, Jesus and His disciples left the city and walked east to the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane. Sometime later, Judas arrived, and Jesus was arrested (v. 47).
Spend time praying Scripture using Matthew 26:28. Read the verse, then respond to these questions:
Thank Jesus for the sacrifice of His body and His blood. Ask Him to remind you of His sacrifice each time you take the Lord’s Supper.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 121 of the Personal Study Guide:
As a group, consider why it is important for all believers to regularly remember Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Remind adults that regularly celebrating Jesus’s death through the Lord’s Supper should challenge them to reflect on their sin and His atonement.
Direct adults to the first set of questions on page 121 of the PSG. Guide the group to consider how they personally prepare for the Lord’s Supper and how they might encourage one another the next time the ordinance is observed. Point out the second set of questions on page 121 of the PSG during the week. Urge adults to reflect on these questions and to ask for God’s help in eliminating false steps that could lead them to deny or betray Jesus.
Encourage adults to continue using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Matthew’s Gospel) to pray Scripture back to God during the week ahead. Close the session in prayer, thanking Christ Jesus for offering His body and blood so we can find forgiveness and avoid the wrath we deserve.
Text or email your group this week with a phrase, verse, or thought from this week’s lesson. Challenge them to complete the Bible Skill activity on page 120 of the PSG. Enlist a few volunteers to be ready to share what they learned when you gather for Bible study next week. Remind adults that the coming session will be the last in the study of Matthew’s Gospel.
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. (See 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-29.)
Compare multiples passages to get a better understanding of a biblical truth.
Compare Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Consider what each passage teaches about the Lord’s Supper. What makes the passages unique? What elements did each writer seem to emphasize in their description? How did the writers encourage us to reflect on the past and look to the future? Which Gospel writer did Paul follow more closely?