Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 80 No. 1, 2010.
Review article
The Covenant in Accounts of the Last Supper
Mario Cifrak
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Accounts of the Last Supper in the New Testament are found in Paul's writings (the oldest), and in the Synoptic Gospels. Paul's and Luke's account are to some extent similar, as are Mark's and Matthew's. It is particularly important to note the words uttered by Jesus in the institution of the Eucharist - the words after the taking of the bread and the cup of wine. Besides the cup of wine we find expressions »new covenant in my blood« (1 Cor 11:25 and Lk 22:20) and »the blood of the covenant« (Mk 14:24 and Mt 26:28). The new covenant in Jesus' blood has been entered. The old one was obviously insufficient, or dissolved. Jesus is the one who restores this disrupted covenantal relationship between the God and man. Men did not keep their commitments imposed by the covenant. Therefore Jesus' death is the death of atonement. It finally fulfils the ultimate reconciliation of God with his people, so that Jesus' death, the giving of his body and blood, fulfils the target intended by the cult of reconciliation: a reconciled community of people with God. Therefore, we talk about the covenantal or atonement blood of the new covenant.
Keywords
the Last Supper; (new) covenant; blood; Paul; Synoptic Gospels
Hrčak ID:
50846
URI
Publication date:
14.4.2010.
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