Matthew 26:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:27 mean?

Matthew 26:27 describes Jesus taking a cup, giving thanks for it, and then handing it to his disciples, telling all of them to drink from it. This moment is part of the Last Supper, where Jesus shares a symbolic meal with his closest followers before his arrest.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples during a Passover meal. By giving thanks and instructing everyone present to drink from the same cup, Jesus is including all of them in a shared act. This sets the stage for the deeper meaning he will give to the cup in the next verse, connecting it to his coming sacrifice.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:27

• The word for "cup" here is ποτήριον (potērion), which refers to an ordinary drinking vessel, but in this setting, it takes on a special, symbolic meaning as part of the meal.
• The phrase "gave thanks" uses the Greek word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō), which means to express gratitude. This is where the term "Eucharist" comes from in Christian tradition, highlighting the act of giving thanks before sharing the cup.
• The instruction "Drink ye all of it" uses the Greek words πίετε (piete, "drink") and πάντες (pantes, "all"), emphasizing that every disciple present is to participate, not just a select few.

Why Matthew 26:27 matters

• This verse shows that Jesus intended all his disciples to share in the cup, highlighting unity and shared participation in what he is about to explain.
• By giving thanks before passing the cup, Jesus models gratitude and reverence, even in a moment that points toward his suffering.
• The verse connects directly to the next statement, where Jesus explains the cup’s symbolic meaning, making this action a key turning point in the Last Supper narrative.