Luke 22:17
What does Luke 22:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:17 means
Jesus takes a cup, gives thanks, and tells the disciples to take it and divide it among themselves. This shared cup expresses unity and gratitude to God even as suffering approaches. It likely precedes the bread in Luke’s order, signaling the sequence of thanksgiving that frames the meal. Jesus remains the host, distributing and directing. The act anticipates the deeper meaning He will soon attach to the cup after supper—His blood of the new covenant. For now, He binds them together in a common act of blessing, teaching them to receive what God provides with thanks. Even in Gethsemane’s shadow, He models trustful gratitude. The cup in their hands prepares their hearts for the costly grace He is about to explain.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he took a cup and, having given praise, he said, Make division of this among yourselves;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having taken a cup, having given thanks, he said, `Take this and divide to yourselves,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks and said: Take and divide it among you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having received a cup, when he had given thanks he said, Take this and divide it among yourselves.
Context
Following His statement about not eating until fulfillment in the kingdom, Jesus initiates the meal liturgy with a shared cup. Luke then records His further declaration that He will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. After that, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it with the words about His body given for them. The sequence builds toward the climactic identification of the cup as the new covenant in His blood.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 9:16
And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
- 1 Samuel 9:13
As soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him.
- Jeremiah 16:7
neither shall men break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
- Psalms 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
- Luke 22:19
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
- Romans 14:6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
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