What does Matthew 26:26 mean?

Matthew is describing what eventually became known as the Last Supper. This is the final time Christ and the disciples were all together for a meal before His arrest and crucifixion. This was the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17–19), which the law required Israelites to eat together according to a specific set of guidelines. While eating together, Jesus has already said something shocking: One of you will betray me (Matthew 26:21). The guilty party is Judas (Matthew 26:24–25), but none of the other men know this, yet.

Now Matthew records more surprising words from Jesus, introducing a sacrament in which Christians still participate today.

In the middle of the meal, Jesus picks up a loaf or cake of bread. He blesses it: He gives thanks to God the Father for the bread. This might have been the customary prayer of thanks for bread among the Jewish people. Next, Jesus breaks the bread, also according to the custom of the day. He distributes it to the disciples, perhaps one by one or perhaps passing it around the low table. Jesus then gives a command to eat, noting that the bread is His body.

The disciples likely had no idea what Jesus meant by this statement. It would only become clear after His death and resurrection. When taken together with the command in the following verse to drink the wine, as His blood, the concept of remembrance will become clearer (Luke 22:19).