This Is My Body, Given for You

Observation

Setting. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, is approaching (v1). The chief priests and scribes want Jesus dead but fear the people (v2). Over one night and the next daybreak the scene moves from the city (Judas’s bargain, vv3–6) to an upper room (vv7–38), out to the Mount of Olives (vv39–53), back to the high priest’s house and its courtyard fire (vv54–65), and at daybreak to the Council chamber (vv66–71).

Structure:

• vv1–6 — the plot: the feast approaching; leaders seeking to kill Him, afraid of the people (vv1–2); Satan enters Judas (v3); he bargains with the chief priests and officers; money agreed (vv4–5); he seeks an opportunity apart from the crowd (v6).
• vv7–23 — the Supper: the day the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed (v7); Peter and John sent — the man with the pitcher, the large furnished upper room (vv8–13); “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (vv14–16); a cup shared (vv17–18); the bread — “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (v19); the cup after — “the new covenant in My blood” (v20); the betrayer’s hand on the table; woe to that man (vv21–23).
• vv24–38 — greatness, sifting, swords: a dispute over who is greatest (v24); kings and “Benefactors” — but the leader like the servant; “I am among you as the one who serves” (vv25–27); a kingdom granted, thrones over the twelve tribes (vv28–30); “Simon, Simon” — sifted like wheat; “I have prayed for you” (vv31–32); Peter’s boast and the rooster (vv33–34); money belt, bag and sword; “numbered with transgressors”; “It is enough” (vv35–38).
• vv39–46 — the agony: the Mount of Olives as was His custom (v39); “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (v40); a stone’s throw; “not My will, but Yours be done” (vv41–42); an angel strengthening Him (v43); agony, sweat like drops of blood (v44); the disciples sleeping from sorrow; “Get up and pray” (vv45–46).
• vv47–62 — the kiss and the look: Judas and the crowd; “betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (vv47–48); the sword, the ear, “Stop! No more of this,” the healing (vv49–51); “this hour and the power of darkness are yours” (vv52–53); led to the high priest’s house; Peter at a distance (v54); the fire and three denials (vv55–60); the rooster; the Lord turned and looked at Peter; he wept bitterly (vv60–62).
• vv63–71 — the Council: mocking, beating, blindfolding — “Prophesy!” (vv63–65); daybreak, the Council of elders (v66); “If You are the Christ, tell us” (vv67–68); “from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD” (v69); “Are You the Son of God, then?” — “Yes, I am” (v70); “we have heard it ourselves” (v71).

Repeated words, with counts:

• “Peter / Simon” ×10 — vv8, 31 (×2), 34, 54, 55, 58, 60, 61 (×2).
• “Passover” ×6 — vv1, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15.
• “eat / eaten” ×6 — vv8, 11, 15, 16, 20, 30.
• “pray / prayed / praying / prayer” ×6 — vv32, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46.
• “betray / betraying / betrayed” ×5 — vv4, 6, 21, 22, 48.
• “table” ×5 — vv14, 21, 27 (×2), 30.
• “Lord” (of Jesus) ×5 — vv33, 38, 49, 61 (×2).
• “I say to you / I tell you” ×5 — vv16, 18, 34, 37, 67.
• “kingdom” ×4 — vv16, 18, 29, 30; “cup” ×4 — vv17, 20 (×2), 42.
• “sword(s)” ×4 — vv36, 38, 49, 52; “chief priests” ×4 — vv2, 4, 52, 66.
• “Son of Man” ×3 — vv22, 48, 69; “Satan” ×2 — vv3, 31; “Judas” ×3 — vv3, 47, 48.
• “deny / denied” ×3 — vv34, 57, 61; “rooster” ×3 — vv34, 60, 61.
• “fulfilled / fulfillment” ×3 — vv16, 37 (×2); “hour” ×3 — vv14, 53, 59.
• “greatest / greater” ×3 — vv24, 26, 27; “serve(s) / servant” ×3 — vv26, 27 (×2).
• “temptation” ×2 — vv40, 46; “kiss” ×2 — vv47, 48.

Contrasts: Leaders afraid of the people ⟷ Judas offering a way “apart from the crowd” (vv2, 6). A body “given for you” ⟷ a hand on the table betraying (vv19, 21). Determined ⟷ woe (v22). Kings who lord it ⟷ the One who serves (vv25–27). Satan’s sifting ⟷ Jesus’ prayer (vv31–32). Peter’s boast ⟷ three denials (vv33–34, 57–60). Then without purse ⟷ now take a purse (vv35–36). My will ⟷ Yours (v42). Jesus praying ⟷ disciples sleeping (vv44–45). A kiss ⟷ betrayal (v48). A sword that wounds ⟷ a hand that heals (vv50–51). Daily in the temple ⟷ this hour and the power of darkness (v53). Blindfolded and mocked ⟷ seated at the right hand of God (vv64, 69).

Shape of the chapter: six scenes in one night, each a failure of men answered by the faithfulness of Christ — the betrayer bargains and Jesus gives His body; the disciples quarrel and He serves; Peter boasts and He prays; the disciples sleep and He agonizes; a disciple swings a sword and He heals; Peter denies and He looks; the Council condemns and He confesses.

Chapter theme (my words): Everyone around Jesus failed Him that night — and He kept every word. He gave His body, prayed for the one who would fall, drank the Father’s cup, and confessed who He is. The same Lord who looked at Peter still prays for me.

Interpretation

How could Satan “enter” Judas? Luke and John both say it (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). Sproul: “Satan entered into the inner core of Judas’ being,” but “Satan did not come and coerce Judas to perform the act. … Judas acquiesced willingly out of the darkness of his own heart.” Guzik: the money “points to the motivation of simple greed,” and Satan’s role “does not diminish” his responsibility. Verse 22 holds both truths: the Son of Man goes “as it has been determined; but woe to that man.”

Why two cups? Luke records a cup before the bread (v17) and “the cup after they had eaten” (v20). The Passover meal had several cups; Jesus attaches the new covenant to the cup after supper. Spurgeon: the new memorial was “blended with the passover.”

What does “This is My body” mean? Our teachers read the bread and cup as signs and seals of Christ’s sacrifice, not a change of substance. Spurgeon: “It was clearly impossible that he could have meant that bread to be literally his body.” Guzik: it is how we remember and how we fellowship with Him. Sproul: it is the Passover fulfilled — “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”

What is the new covenant? The promise of Jeremiah 31:31–34 — the law on the heart and sins remembered no more — made with “the house of Israel” and opened to all who belong to Christ. Sproul: covenants are ratified by blood, and this one was ratified the next afternoon. I note that Jeremiah’s promise still names Israel, and Paul says God will keep it (Rom 11:26–27).

The thrones (v30). Jesus promises the Twelve that they will “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” I take this as future and literal, in the kingdom when the Son of Man reigns (Matt 19:28); it fits Luke 21:24’s “until” and Acts 1:6.

Sifted, but prayed for. Satan “demanded permission” (v31). Guzik: “he had to ask God for permission.” The first “you” is plural — all of them; the second is singular — Simon (v32). Sproul: Satan may tempt a believer but not possess him, and what kept Peter was the intercession of Christ: “If you’re a Christian, Jesus prays for you.”

The two swords (vv36–38). All our teachers read Jesus’ words figuratively — a warning that the days ahead would be hostile — not a call to arms. Guzik: He “did not mean, two swords will be enough.” Spurgeon: “A smile must have passed over the Saviour’s face.” “It is enough” ends the conversation; minutes later Jesus says, “Stop! No more of this” (v51).

What was in the cup (v42)? Guzik: “The cup didn’t represent death, but judgment.” Sproul: “It was the curse of God. It was the wrath of God.” He explains the prayer with two wills in Christ, the human will shrinking and submitting to the divine. Spurgeon: He suffered “because he stood in the sinner’s place.”

Was the sweat really blood (v44)? Guzik: “like blood” — Luke does not say it was blood. Sproul, with Jonathan Edwards: “Jesus really did sweat blood.” Both agree on the point: the agony was real, and it was for us.

Peter and Judas. Both were targeted by Satan, both failed, both felt shame. Judas despaired; Peter wept and was restored (John 21). Sproul and Spurgeon both find the difference in Christ — His prayer (v32) and His look (v61). Guzik: “Peter fell, but had not fallen away.”

“Yes, I am” (v70). Literally “You say that I am” — a Hebrew yes. Jesus joins Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 (v69). Guzik: those who judged Him will be judged by Him.

Word study (Greek):

• Satan — Satanas (G4567): the adversary; returns in vv3, 31 (cf. 4:13).
• betray — paradidōmi (G3860): hand over; vv4, 6, 21, 22, 48.
• covenant — diathēkē (G1242): a binding arrangement; KJV “testament” (v20).
• remembrance — anamnēsis (G364): a calling to mind; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24–25; Heb 10:3.
• Benefactor — euergetēs (G2110): a king’s title; only here (v25).
• sift — siniazō (G4617): shake in a sieve; only here (v31).
• turned again — epistrephō (G1994): to turn back (v32).
• agony — agōnia (G74): a wrestler’s struggle; only here (v44).
• drops — thromboi (G2361): thick drops, clots; only here (v44).
• cup — potērion (G4221): vv17, 20, 42.
• kiss — phileō (G5368): the disciple’s greeting turned to a signal (v47).
• looked at — emblepō (G1689): to look straight into (v61).
• deny — arneomai (G720): to disown (vv34, 57, 61).
• I am — eimi (G1510): “You say that I am” (v70).
• right hand — dexios (G1188): the seat of power (v69).

Key insights to carry (from the Deep Dive):

1. Satan needed an open door — Judas acquiesced willingly (Sproul).
2. The same verb, two hands — paradidōmi.
3. He wanted this meal — “with desire I have desired.”
4. A new covenant needs a God-man (Guzik).
5. The quarrel came at the table — to ascend, descend (Spurgeon).
6. “You” all, but “you,” Simon (vv31–32).
7. The cup was wrath (Sproul, Guzik).
8. Strengthened to pray harder (v44).
9. Jesus cleaned up His disciple’s mess — the healed ear.
10. One look — Peter fell, but had not fallen away.

Cross-references: Exod 12; Ps 41:9; 110:1; Isa 53:12; Jer 31:31–34; Dan 7:13; Zech 13:7; Matt 19:28; 26:17–75; Mark 14; Luke 4:13; 9:22; John 13:21–30; 17:12; 18:1–27; 21:15–19; Acts 1:6, 18; 2:34–35; 7:56; Rom 4:25; 8:34; 1 Cor 5:7; 11:23–26; Heb 5:7; 7:25; 10:3; Rev 19:9.

Application

Sin to confess — the open door. Judas didn’t fall in one night; greed and disappointment had been working in him a long time, and then Satan walked through the door he left open. I have left doors open too — resentment at God for not being the Messiah I wanted, an old appetite I kept feeding. I name them and shut them today.

Promise to trust — “given for you.” At the Table Jesus did not say “given for the world” in general; He said “for you.” Men who have done terrible things sit at that Table forgiven. I will come to the Lord’s Supper next time hearing those two words.

Example to follow — the One who serves. The disciples argued about rank right after the bread and cup. In the facility, at work, in my own house, I want the seat that gets noticed. Jesus took the towel. This week I will do one hidden act of service for someone who can’t pay me back.

Promise to trust — “I have prayed for you.” Jesus knew Peter would fail and prayed for him before he did — and told him what to do after: “strengthen your brothers.” My failure does not have the last word. Jesus “always lives to make intercession” (Heb 7:25). When I fall, I will turn back quickly and then help the next man who falls.

Command to obey — “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” He said it twice (vv40, 46). The disciples slept from sorrow; grief made them drowsy, and temptation found them unprepared. When I am hurting, I am most at risk. I will pray before the trouble comes, not after.

Truth to face — following at a distance. Peter loved Jesus and still ended up warming his hands with the crowd that arrested Him. Distance comes before denial. I will move closer — back to the Word, back to the brothers, back to prayer — before the rooster crows.

Hope to hold — the look. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. It was not a look of rejection but of love that broke his heart open. Peter wept, and Peter was restored. The same Jesus is seated now at the right hand of God.

Questions for the table (from the Deep Dive):

1. Judas opened a door that Satan walked through — greed, disappointment, anger. What door have I left open that the enemy could use? (22:3–6; Eph 4:26–27) Satan did not coerce Judas; he acquiesced willingly (Sproul).
2. Jesus said the bread was His body “given for you.” What changes when I hear “for you” personally at the Lord’s Table? (22:19–20; 1 Cor 11:23–26) This is how we remember and how we fellowship (Guzik).
3. Right after the Supper the disciples argued about who was greatest. Where am I jockeying for position — at home, at work, in the group? (22:24–27) The way to ascend is to descend (Spurgeon).
4. Jesus prayed for Peter before Peter failed. How does it help me to know that Jesus is praying for me right now? (22:31–32; Heb 7:25) If you’re a Christian, Jesus prays for you (Sproul).
5. In the garden Jesus prayed “not My will, but Yours be done,” and His disciples slept. What “cup” am I asking God to take away, and can I pray His prayer? (22:39–46) The cup was judgment; He drank it for us.
6. Peter followed at a distance and ended up warming himself with the wrong crowd. What does following Jesus “at a distance” look like for me — and what did the Lord’s look do for Peter? (22:54–62; John 21:15–17) Peter fell, but had not fallen away (Guzik).

Worship. The Lamb of God earnestly desired to eat the Passover with men who would fail Him. He gave His body and poured out His blood for a new covenant. He prayed for Simon, drank the Father’s cup, healed His enemy’s ear, looked in love at His denier, and confessed before His judges the throne He now occupies at the right hand of God.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, Your body was given for me and Your blood poured out for me. Shut the doors in me that I have left open to the enemy. Make me a servant, not a seeker of seats. When I am sifted, keep my faith from failing, and when I turn back, let me strengthen my brothers. Teach me to pray “not my will, but Yours.” And when I fail You, turn and look at me again, and bring me home. Amen.