Chapter

Matthew 26:28

ESV for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
NIV This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
NASB for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
CSB For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
NLT for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
KJV For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
NKJV For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

What does Matthew 26:28 mean?

The Passover meal was observed by nearly every Jewish person as a way of remembering and celebrating God's rescue of Israel through the blood of the lamb on their doorposts (Exodus 12:7, 14). Now Jesus is using the elements of the Passover meal to introduce something new.

He has broken bread and distributed it to them, describing it as His body (Matthew 26:26). He has given them the third cup of wine included in the meal, the "cup of blessing," and commanded them to drink it. He now describes that cup of wine as "my blood of the covenant."

Jesus' words have a connection to a powerful moment between God and the people of Israel during the time of Moses (Exodus 24:1–8). The blood of animal sacrifices was used to seal an agreement between God and the people. God promised to take care of them, and the people promised to be obedient to all God told them. Then came this:
"Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, 'Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words'" (Exodus 24:8).
The disciples, then, would have grown up knowing that a covenant between God and His people was sealed with the blood of a sacrifice. Now Jesus has described the wine they are drinking as His blood of the covenant. He says that it is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus is describing a new agreement—a formal promise—between God and many people. This time, though, the covenant will not be for Israel alone. It will be for all people who come to God through faith in Jesus. Jesus' blood will be poured out to pay the price for the sin of all who trust in Him. His blood will seal the agreement God is making to forgive the sins of these Christ-followers or "Christians," taking Jesus' death as the payment for their sin.

The moment is very close now when Jesus' body will be abused, and His blood poured out on the cross. That is the moment Jesus' followers will remember with humble gratitude when they break the bread and drink from the cup together (Luke 22:19). It will come to be known as communion or the Lord's Supper.

Paul will describe it this way in 1 Corinthians 11:26, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
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