And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

MATTHEW 26:27KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“cup” Greek G4221 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
  • Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

“thanks” Greek G2168 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
  • Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

“ye” Greek G4095 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
  • John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.