Luke 22:20
What does Luke 22:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:20 means
After supper Jesus takes the cup and declares it to be “the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.” He identifies His death as covenant-making, echoing Scripture’s pattern where blood seals a binding relationship between God and His people. “For you” personalizes the atonement; His blood is poured out on their behalf. The “new covenant” promises forgiveness and heart-renewal, now grounded in Christ’s sacrifice. This cup is a sign and seal of that grace, meant to be received with faith. Jesus thus re-centers Passover around Himself and His substitutionary death. The verse proclaims the heart of the gospel: salvation established not by law-keeping, but by the blood of the Son given for sinners.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in the same way, after the meal, he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament, made with my blood which is given for you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In like manner, also, the cup after the supping, saying, `This cup <FI>is<Fi> the new covenant in my blood, that for you is being poured forth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In like manner, the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In like manner also the cup, after having supped, saying, This cup [is] the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Context
Having given new meaning to the bread, Jesus now assigns covenantal significance to the cup after supper. This completes the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Immediately the mood turns as He announces that the betrayer’s hand is at the table. The disciples’ shocked questioning follows, then their argument over greatness and Jesus’ corrective teaching on servant leadership, showing how human weakness persists even in the presence of astounding grace.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6
who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
- Hebrews 13:20
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
- Zechariah 9:11
As for thee also, because of the blood of thy covenant I have set free thy prisoners from the pit wherein is no water.
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?
- Matthew 26:28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
- Hebrews 9:15
And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
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