Matthew: chapter 26 (Response)

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

THE PASSION: The Supper, Mt 26,17-29

Preparation: 26,17-19

The feast of unleavened bread is an alternative name for the Passover. The name here points to the climax of the meal, Jesus with the bread and the wine, 26,26-29.
By then refering to the Passover, Matthew highlights the nature of the meal as well as looking beyond to the whole Passion event. Thus the description of the meal in Exodus chapter 12 sets the scene for the Passover that follows.
Matthew therefore makes it clear that this is a Passover meal so there is no need to add to this account the details prescribed in Exodus 12.

Here it is the disciples who are taking the initiative as in the first feeding of the crowd (14,35). In Luke, Jesus takes the initiative (Lk 22,8).

Matthew (26,18) shortens and simplifies Mark's description of the preparations (Mk 14,13-15).

In verse 18, once again it is clear that the real initiative lies with Jesus and this is confirmed in verse 19. Matthew is stronger than Mark, the disciples did as Jesus ordered them. All is as arranged by Jesus.

Betrayal: 26,20-25

The key word here, already present in verse 2, is "hand over" or "betrayal"; it's in every verse but verse 22. The one word in Greek has both meanings. The announcement of betrayal in verse 21 is solemn: "Amen, I say to you."

Psalm 41,9 recalls the betrayal of a close friend. Only the disciples, Jesus' close family, are present at this meal. "Disciples" in verse 20 is an addition by Matthew.
The Passover meal is an evening meal by its nature.

The betrayal then unfolds in two stages:
Verses 21-23 concern the disciples who call Jesus "Lord" in verse 22.
Verses 24-25 concern Judas who calls Jesus "Rabbi"in verse 25.

In verse 24 begins with a general reminder that Jesus dies according to the Scriptures. The many allusions to Scripture show that.
The woe which follows indicates the scale of the betrayal. Matthew alone will record Judas' suicide in 27,5.

Verse 25 provides an emphasis by Matthew in the exchange between Judas and Jesus, betrayer and betrayed. It has the effect of highlighting the previous verse. As we have noted, Judas gives Jesus no higher title than Rabbi. Jesus in reply fixes the responsibility firmly on Judas.

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Eat and Drink: 26,26-29

There is nothing special about the opening of this episode in verse 21 despite its importance.

The words over the bread are simple. Matthew as he has been doing consistently changes "them" in Mark to "disciples". That stregthens the bond as does the other change, the specific command to "eat". The bread is then identified with the Jesus'body, a body which is about to be crucified.

Jesus takes bread, now he takes a cup. With the bread it is a blessing, here it is a thanksgiving. Jesus gives the cup to the disciples as he gave the bread. As with the command to eat, so now there is the command to drink.

The command to drink though is more developed in verse 28, full of echoes of the Old Testament.
The various references draw this out. Wine is associated with blood. There are echoes of Moses sprinkling blood on the people (Exodus 24,8) while Leviticus links blood with life (Lev 17,11).
Jeremiah 31,31-34 is the classic text on the new covenant.
The forgiveness of sins recalls the angel saying Jesus will save the people from their sins (1,21). Isaiah has the servant bearing the sins of many in an inclusive sense (Is 53,12).

Finally, a future aspect is given in verse 29 recalling the banquet of Isaiah at the end of time (Is 25,6).