Jesus had one last meal with his friends.
They ate together in a city. Jesus shared bread and wine with them. This meal is very special to Christians. Many people remember it today. Do you know about this meal?
Jesus had a final meal with his friends.
They ate in a city called Jerusalem. During the meal, Jesus shared bread and wine. He told them to do this to remember him.
Jesus also said a few things. He said one friend would betray him. He said Peter would say he did not know him.
In one story, Jesus washed his friends' feet. He told them to love one another. This meal is very special to Christians today.
The Last Supper was a final meal.
Jesus shared this meal with his apostles in Jerusalem. This happened during the week of Passover. Many Christians remember this event on Holy Thursday. It is the basis for the Eucharist. This is a special meal called Holy Communion.
During the meal, Jesus shared bread and wine. He broke the bread and said, "This is my body." He gave the wine and said it was his blood. He told his followers to do this to remember him.
Jesus also made some predictions. He said one person would betray him. He said his friend Peter would deny knowing him three times. In the Gospel of John, Jesus also washed the feet of his apostles. He gave them a new command. He told them to love one another.
He also gave a long speech to prepare them for his departure. This is called the Farewell Discourse. Some scholars study these stories to learn about early Christian traditions.
The Last Supper is a famous final meal shared by Jesus and his apostles. This event took place in Jerusalem during the week of Passover. Many Christians remember this meal today on Holy Thursday. It is a very important part of the story of Jesus's life. This meal provides the basis for a Christian tradition called the Eucharist. Some people also call this Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper.
During the meal, several important things happened between Jesus and his followers. In many accounts, Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to the people. He said, "This is my body given to you." He also shared a cup of wine with them. He told them to do this to remember him. In the Gospel of John, Jesus also washed the feet of his apostles. He gave them a new command to love one another as he had loved them.
History tells us that this meal happened many years ago. Most scholars agree that Jesus had this final meal with his disciples. The New Testament mentions the Last Supper in five different books. The earliest known mention is in the First Epistle to the Corinthians. This letter was likely written by Paul in the mid-50s. This was even before the four Gospels were written down. Scholars use these different writings to study early Christian traditions.
There are many specific details found in the different religious texts. The three Synoptic Gospels include the ritual of the bread and wine. The Gospel of John includes a long speech called the Farewell Discourse. In this speech, Jesus calls his followers "friends and not servants." Jesus also made two famous predictions during the meal. He said one apostle would betray him. He also said that Peter would deny knowing him three times.
People use different names for this event and the rituals that follow. While the term "Last Supper" is not in the New Testament, many Christians use it. Eastern Orthodox Christians call it the "Mystical Supper." Russian Orthodox followers sometimes call it the "Secret Supper." Some historians try to find the exact date this happened. They look at the stars and the moon to guess the year. They believe it may have happened around AD 30 or AD 33.
The Last Supper refers to the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem. This event occurred during the week of Passover before his crucifixion. It serves as a foundational narrative within the framework of Jesus's life. For many Christians, this meal is the scriptural basis for the Eucharist. This ritual is also known as "Holy Communion" or "The Lord's Supper."
Scholars generally agree that this meal took place. The New Testament contains five different mentions of the event. The First Epistle to the Corinthians provides the earliest known reference. This letter was likely written by Paul in the mid-50s AD. The four canonical gospels also provide detailed accounts of the evening. They state the meal happened after Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It took place shortly before his death on Good Friday.
The meal involved several significant and dramatic moments. Jesus predicted that one of his apostles would betray him. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he says this betrayer is present. The Gospel of John specifically identifies Judas as the traitor. Jesus also foretold that the apostle Peter would deny him three times. He stated this denial would happen before the rooster crowed the next morning.
A central part of the meal is the institution of the Eucharist. The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—describe this ritual. In these accounts, Jesus takes bread, breaks it, and says, "This is my body." He then takes a cup of wine and offers it to them. He describes the wine as his "blood of the covenant." He instructs his followers to "do this in remembrance of me."
Different religious texts offer unique details about the evening. The Gospel of John includes the washing of the apostles' feet. In this account, Peter initially objects to Jesus washing his feet. John also records a long Farewell Discourse. This speech functions like a testament or a father's final instructions. Jesus calls his followers "friends and not servants" during this time. He also gives a "New Commandment" to love one another.
Historians and scholars use various methods to study the timing of this event. Most estimates place the crucifixion between AD 30 and AD 36. Some researchers use astronomical data to narrow these dates down. They have ruled out the years 31, 32, 35, and 36. This leaves April 7, AD 30, or April 3, AD 33, as possibilities. Some theories suggest the meal happened on a Tuesday based on different calendars.
Different Christian traditions use specific terminology for the meal and its rituals. While the term "Last Supper" is not in the New Testament, it is widely used. Evangelical Protestants often use the term "Lord's Supper." Eastern Orthodox Christians refer to it as the "Mystical Supper." In the Russian Orthodox tradition, it is sometimes called the "Secret Supper." These names reflect how different communities celebrate the event in their liturgy.
The Last Supper connects deeply to broader theological and historical themes. The ritual of the bread and wine is often linked to ancient covenants. Some scholars connect these actions to the book of Isaiah. They also look at connections to the book of Exodus. These links help explain how the meal fits into larger religious traditions. The event remains a central pillar of Christian practice and study today.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (7)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.