Last Supper

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.