The Last Supper
In a large upper room prepared for the Passover, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it and says this is my body; then the cup, and calls it the new covenant in his blood. Paul's account, written before any of the Gospels, is the earliest record we have of the words.
John tells the same evening differently, with no institution of the meal but a long farewell — and with Jesus getting up from the table, tying a towel round himself and washing the disciples' feet, work normally left to a slave. Peter objects and is overruled.
Both traditions record the two announcements that hang over the room: one of you will betray me, and, to Peter's insistence that he would die first, that he will deny knowing him three times before the cock crows.
Where in scripture
[17] Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” [18] He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’” [19] The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. [20] Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. [21] As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” [22] They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?” [23] He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. …
Matthew 26:17–30 — opening verses
[7] The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. [8] Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” [9] They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” [10] He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. [11] Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ [12] He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” [13] They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. [14] When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. …
Luke 22:7–38 — opening verses
[1] Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, [4] arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” …
John 13:1–38 — opening verses
[23] For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. [24] When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” [25] In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
