Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 10:1 (NA 2000)
Article: The Last Supper in Matthew
Author: Clay Ham

BBR 10:1 (2000) p. 53

The Last Supper in Matthew

Clay Ham

Dallas Christian College

The Synoptic Gospels and 1 Corinthians provide a reliable tradition of the memorable words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper. A comparison of these four accounts reveals the most notable detail in Matthew’s account: Jesus’ blood of the new covenant is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. This saying over the cup explains Jesus’ death according to Isaiah 53 and Jeremiah 31, while its wording has been influenced by Exodus 24. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel, the three themes of prophet, righteous sufferer, and new community anticipate the Last Supper account.

Key Words: Last Supper, Matthew’s use of the OT, forgiveness of sins, blood

The Church has from its inception recognized the Last Supper held by Jesus with his disciples as the model for its own celebration of the Lord’s Supper.1 A number of scholars in recent research understand the Last Supper as offering insight into the significance of Jesus’ death. Frederick Dale Bruner calls the Last Supper “tactile Word,” for in it is “Jesus’ most careful verbal and visual definition of what his death means.”2 N. T. Wright calls it “a deliberate double drama,” for Jesus’ meal with his disciples “fused the great story [of Passover] together with another one: the story of Jesus’ own life, and of his coming death.”3 The brief narrative, a rich complex of ideas consisting of simple actions and sayings, offers deep insight into how

BBR 10:1 (2000) p. 54

“Jesus saw himself as fulfilling several different Old Testament types simultaneously.”4

Others disagree. If, as they maintain, the reliability of the tradition as recorded in the NT lies suspect, then one may question the possibility of recovering anything of the original event, much less the words spoken by Jesus and their meaning.5 However, such a skeptical view of the Last Supper tradition seems unwarranted. The tradition, which is found in Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; and Luke 22:15-20 also appears in 1 Cor 11:23-25. In