for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 28. This is my blood of the New Testament, which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins. The Greek text in Saint Luke shews that the words shall be shed, or is shed, cannot, in construction, be referred to the blood of Christ shed on the cross, but to the cup, at the institution of the holy sacrament. This cup (says Luke 22:20,) is the New Testament in my blood; which cup [6] shall be shed, or is shed for you. Saint Paul also saith: this cup is the New Testament in my blood. And if any one will needs insist upon the words, as related by Saint Matthew and Saint Mark, the sense is still the same; that is that this cup was not wine, but the blood of Christ, by which the New Testament was confirmed, or alliance betwixt God and man.—For many. Saint Luke and Saint Paul, instead of many, say for you. Both are joined in the canon of the mass. Euthymius says, for many, is the same as for all mankind. This new alliance was made with all, and the former with the Jews only. Witham.—As the Old Testament was dedicated with blood in these words: This is the blood of the Testament, (Hebrews 9:20,) so here is the institution of the New Testament, in Christ’s blood, by these words: This is the blood of the New Testament, which God contracts with you, to communicate to you his grace and justice, by the merits of this blood, which shall be shed for you on the cross; and which is here mystically shed for many, for the remission of sins: for the Greek is in the present tense in all the three evangelists, and in Saint Paul, 1 Corinthians 11, and the Latin Vulgate of Saint Luke, 22:19. Hoc est corpus meum quod pro vobis datur: διδομενον, κλωμενον εκχυνομενον.