Luke 22:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 22:17
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Chapter Context
Luke 22 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of wisdom, judgment, obedience. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-71: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 22:17
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Analysis
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. Jesus took the cup (δεξάμενος ποτήριον, dexamenos potērion), likely the first or second of the four Passover cups. He gave thanks (εὐχαριστήσας, eucharistēsas, aorist active participle), using the root eucharistia from which we derive 'Eucharist.' This thanksgiving (εὐχαριστέω, eucharisteō) blessed God for the fruit of the vine and redemption it symbolized.
Take this, and divide it among yourselves (λάβετε τοῦτο καὶ διαμερίσατε ἑαυτοῖς, labete touto kai diamerisate heautois) commands communal participation. The verb divide (διαμερίσατε, diamerisate, aorist active imperative) emphasizes sharing the single cup among all—corporate unity in covenant participation. Ironically, the same verb will describe soldiers dividing Christ's garments (Luke 23:34). The shared cup anticipates the 'cup of the new covenant in my blood' (v. 20), binding participants together as the blood of Exodus 24:8 bound Israel to God at Sinai.
Historical Context
The Passover Seder involved four cups of wine:
- Cup of Sanctification (blessing)
- Cup of Instruction (during haggadah recitation)
- Cup of Redemption (after the meal, likely what became the communion cup),
- Cup of Consummation (praise).
Wine was mixed with water (typically 3 parts wine to 1 part water) and passed ceremonially.
Reflection
- How does the act of 'dividing' the cup among themselves illustrate the unity and equality of believers in Christ?
- What significance do you find in Jesus 'giving thanks' (eucharistēsas) even as He faced the cross hours away?
- How should the communal nature of the Lord's Table ('divide it among yourselves') challenge individualistic approaches to faith?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Luke 22:19, Psalms 116:13