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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Matthew 26:28 - 26:28
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The Covenant (tēs diathēkēs). The adjective kainēs in Textus Receptus is not genuine. The covenant is an agreement or contract between two (dia, duo, thēke, from tithēmi). It is used also for will (Latin, testamentum) which becomes operative at death (Heb 9:15-17). Hence our New Testament. Either covenant or will makes sense here. Covenant is the idea in Heb 7:22; Heb 8:8 and often. In the Hebrew to make a covenant was to cut up the sacrifice and so ratify the agreement (Gen 15:9-18). Lightfoot argues that the word diathēke means covenant in the N.T. except in Heb 9:15-17. Jesus here uses the solemn words of Exo 24:8 “the blood of the covenant” at Sinai. “My blood of the covenant” is in contrast with that. This is the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31; Heb 8:1-13.
Which is shed for many (to peri pollōn ekchunnomenon). A prophetic present passive participle. The act is symbolized by the ordinance. Cf. the purpose of Christ expressed in Mat 20:28. There anti and here peri.
Unto remission of sins (eis aphesin hamartiōn). This clause is in Matthew alone but it is not to be restricted for that reason. It is the truth. This passage answers all the modern sentimentalism that finds in the teaching of Jesus only pious ethical remarks or eschatological dreamings. He had the definite conception of his death on the cross as the basis of forgiveness of sin. The purpose of the shedding of his blood of the New Covenant was precisely to remove (forgive) sins.