Matthew 26:26
Jesus took bread,
blessed it, and
broke it ... This is the same sequence of words that described Jesus as the two miraculous wilderness feedings (Matt. 14:19; 15:36) which connect all of these events backwards with the Exodus and the Passover and forward to the Lord's Supper that the church continues to celebrate (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Matthew 26:26
Jesus took bread,
blessed it, and
broke it ... This is the same sequence of words that described Jesus as the two miraculous wilderness feedings (Matt. 14:19; 15:36) which connect all of these events backwards with the Exodus and the Passover and forward to the Lord's Supper that the church continues to celebrate (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Matthew 26:28
This is my
blood of the
covenant that is
poured out for the
forgiveness of
sins. Jesus' death was more than an example of godly suffering. It enacted a new covenant relationship between God and humanity, based in the forgiveness of people's sins through Jesus death and resurrection (cf. Matt. 1:21). See
WLC 170, 171, 172, 174.
Matthew 26:29
Until that day when I
drink it
new with you in my Father's kingdom. Jesus' work of redeeming the world is forward-looking to the time when God's kingdom comes fully to the earth from heaven. This time of consummation is pictured as a time of celebration and joy.
Matthew 26:30
When they had sung a
hymn. This refers to the Jewish practice of singing from the book of Psalms. Psalms 113–118 (the
Hallel) were often sung together on joyous occasions, including at Passover. This may be what Jesus and his disciples sang at this time.
Matthew 26:32
I will go
ahead of you into
Galilee. Jesus' ministry started in Galilee and was centered around the Sea of Galilee. After his resurrection he will also restart and expand his ministry through his disciples from Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20).
Matthew 26:31
I will
strike the
shepherd. Jesus quoted from Zech. 13:7 and referred to himself as God's Shepherd and his disciples as God's flock, the true people of God.
Matthew 26:33
I will never fall
away. Peter, who was Jesus' lead disciple and who became the leader of the church after Pentecost (Acts 2) was sincere and whole-hearted in following Jesus. But under persecution even Peter failed Jesus, denying his association with Jesus out of fear of persecution (Matt. 26:69-75).
Matthew 26:37
Peter and the
two sons of
Zebedee. These three disciples, Peter, James, and John, were the leaders among the Twelve Disciples and were called by Jesus to be with him at especially important times (Mark 5:37; Matt. 17:1) but even they failed Jesus at his time of need (Matt. 26:40, 43, 45).
Matthew 26:39
Yet,
not as I will,
but as you will. Even at the point of great sorrow and pain, facing his own suffering and death, Jesus showed himself to be the faithful and obedient Son who always submits to God's will (Matt. 3:17; 4:1-11; 12:50; 26:42). See
WLC 185;
WSC 103.
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