Luke 22:20

Luke 22:20

Luke 22:20 presents the cup after the supper as Jesus explains it’s “the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” The imagery of a cup signals covenantal sealing in ancient Near Eastern culture. Jesus invokes the language of covenant—new testament (new covenant)—with his blood, signaling a fresh, irreversible commitment God makes with humanity through Christ’s atonement. The phrase “shed for you” highlights the substitutionary nature of the death Jesus would soon endure. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes that Jesus offers a redemptive gift to the community of disciples, including Judas (at least initially) within the same group. The setting reinforces Jesus’ sovereignty and purposeful obedience to the Father, even as tremors of betrayal loom. The inclusion of the disciples in a covenant meal underlines the communal dimension of salvation—this is not an individual prescription alone but a shared experience.

This verse anchors the doctrine of the New Covenant, replacing the old covenant’s animal sacrifices with a once-for-all atonement achieved through Jesus’ blood. It proclaims forgiveness, renewed relationship with God, and empowered life through the Spirit. The blood signifies sacrifice, cleansing, and the pivot from law-keeping to grace-empowered living. Theologically, it foregrounds reconciliation, adoption, and hope for eternal life, while also setting parameters for ethical living in light of grace. Luke underscores that the benefits of this covenant are offered “for you,” inviting personal response and communal trust in Christ’s faithfulness.

In daily life, this verse invites us to reflect on the cost of grace and the seriousness of the covenant we enter through faith. It can reframe how we relate to God, others, and self: forgiveness in boundaries, honest confession, and commitment to living under grace. It prompts generosity and solidarity with the vulnerable, since the cup is a shared sign of a shared salvation. In church life, it reinforces the regular practice of communion as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and a call to faithful living. Consider personal rituals: a quiet moment of gratitude before meals, or a family practice of blessing the food with remembrance of Jesus’ shedding blood for forgiveness and reconciled relationships.

Cross-References: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13; 1 Corinthians 11:25-26; Matthew 26:28; Galatians 3:13