7 Historical Things to Know About the Last Supper

The Last Supper relates profoundly to the Old Testament Passover, as depicted in the book of Exodus. The Passover, a central event in Jewish history, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under Moses’ leadership. In Exodus, God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood, ensuring their safety from the final plague that would strike down the firstborn in Egypt.

God institutes the Passover to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt, a holiday and feast to be observed every year without fail. Any Israelite who failed to observe it (there was even a make-up way to observe Passover if they were unclean during that time) was exiled from the community. The Israelites didn’t deserve this deliverance from the Angel of Death sent to kill Egypt’s firstborn, and this gracious act reminded Israel every year how their very existence in freedom and promise was entirely contingent upon God’s love and power. 

Following the Law of God and being the perfect Jew, Jesus and his disciples observed the Passover in Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples gathered to celebrate the Passover meal during the Last Supper. The Passover elements—unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the sacrificial lamb—were central to this observance. Of course, as we’ll see later, Jesus redefines and expands the Passover at the Last Supper.

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Jesus said to his disciples, against their warnings, that he had to go to Jerusalem for the Passover (Matthew 16:21).  

The Last Supper unfolded in Jerusalem, a city steeped in religious significance. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem holds a central place in the prophetic writings, revered as God’s chosen dwelling place and the Temple’s site. King David, a Messianic model, conquered and established the city as the capital and religious center with the Tabernacle of David, and Solomon built the Temple there. Prophets like Isaiah envisioned Jerusalem as a beacon of hope, where God’s reign of justice and peace would be established for all nations.

When Jesus gathered with his disciples, he did so in Jerusalem during Passover and the week before his death. Amidst the bustling city, Jesus imparted profound teachings and made significant declarations that echoed Jerusalem’s prophetic legacy. He spoke of the impending fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, foretelling his own suffering, death, and resurrection.

Moreover, Jesus’ words in Jerusalem extended beyond the Last Supper. He lamented over the city, foreseeing its future destruction, yet expressed a longing to gather its people under his protection. His teachings and actions in Jerusalem encapsulated his mission to bring salvation and reconciliation to humanity. Thus, the Last Supper in Jerusalem serves as a poignant reminder of the holy city’s enduring significance in God’s unfolding plan for salvation.

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God does nothing by accident. The Father acts intentionally in all he does. For the Last Supper, even the night’s context held religious significance. 

That night, Jews were taking part in the Passover meal, which involved killing and preparing a lamb for dinner. It was all connected to the story of Exodus and liberation from slavery in Egypt. 

Jesus spent a whole week in Jerusalem before his death. When he arrived, he rode a donkey, and people praised him as a returning king (Matthew 21). His next act was to cleanse the Temple from oppressive moneychangers, an event which didn’t help his standing with religious leaders. Throughout the week, he taught and spoke in Temple, in the common outer court where everyone could gather (Men and women, Jews and Gentiles, clean and unclean), and ate other dinners with Jewish leaders.

Part of the Passover schedule was to bring the Passover lamb into the house to inspect it within the family (Exodus 12:6), almost treating it like a pet. As we can imagine, the family would become attached to the lamb before killing and eating it. Jesus spent this time in Jerusalem as the Passover lamb, while families all over Jerusalem did the same in their homes with actual lambs. 

Also, this had to happen before the upcoming Sabbath to be observed as part of the festival. The Last Supper’s timing underscores the interconnectedness of Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, highlighting Jesus' role as humanity’s ultimate Passover Lamb and Savior.

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One profound aspect of the Last Supper is Jesus washing his disciples’ feet before the meal. This act of humility and service holds deep significance. It reflects Jesus’ teachings on servant leadership and foreshadows his ultimate act of sacrificial love on the cross.

In Jewish custom, participants would ritually cleanse themselves before the Passover meal, including washing their hands and feet. By washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus exemplified the essence of Passover cleansing rituals while imparting a powerful lesson on humility and service. Despite being their teacher and Lord, he took on the servant role, demonstrating love through action. This act challenged societal norms and emphasized the value of serving others with humility and compassion.

Moreover, Jesus’ foot washing serves as a metaphor for the spiritual cleansing and renewal Christ offers his followers, even us today. Just as he physically cleansed his disciples’ feet, Jesus offered to cleanse their hearts and souls, preparing them to partake in the spiritual feast of his redemptive sacrifice.

In washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated the depth of his love and established a precedent for his followers to emulate. Many churches and traditions include foot-washing ceremonies in their worship and Easter celebrations.

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While Jesus spoke and taught publicly, the Jewish council sought to arrest him privately, to kill him, but they weren’t able to. As one of Christ’s closest friends, Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

King David prophesied the Messiah would be betrayed in Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” During the Last Supper, Jesus fulfills this verse by sharing a piece of bread with Judas. Jesus speaks to Judas, knowing he would betray him, saying, “Go do what you have to do.” Judas stands and leaves to sell Jesus out. This prophetic psalm is further fulfilled when Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, symbolizing friendship turned to deceit.  

While Judas sought personal gain and succumbed to greed, Jesus exemplified sacrificial love, willingly offering himself for the redemption of humanity. Through this act, Jesus was handed over to the authorities, leading to his crucifixion and, ultimately, his resurrection. Thus, while Judas’ betrayal was tragic, it ultimately played a crucial role in unfolding God’s redemptive plan. 

We’ve all betrayed God in our selfless actions in one way or another. We only find redemption and reconciliation through Christ and his love. Judas could have also found this, but unfortunately, he took his own life.

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As Jesus and his disciples gathered to eat, he transformed the meal’s traditional elements. Taking the unleavened bread, a symbol of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, Jesus broke it, declaring, “This is my body given for you” (Luke 22:19). He reinterpreted the bread, signifying his impending sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of humanity.

Likewise, Jesus took the cup of wine, a customary element of the Passover meal, and proclaimed, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). Through this symbolic act, Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his own blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus’ act of self-offering echoed the sacrificial Passover lamb, whose blood brought salvation and deliverance to the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Thus, the Last Supper not only commemorates Jesus’ final meal with his disciples. It also underscores his role as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice liberates to all who believe in him from sin and death. Furthermore, Jesus instructed his disciples to continue this practice to remember him, instituting the sacrament of communion. This act ensured that his followers would remember and celebrate his sacrifice throughout generations.

Through this reimagining of the Passover, Communion is a continual and regular celebration of both the original Passover and the New Covenant. Through Communion, we fulfill the expanded view of the Law and observe Passover.

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The Last Supper has been a subject of fascination and inspiration for artists throughout history, resulting in many artistic depictions that capture the essence and significance of this event.

One of the most renowned depictions is Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, painted in the late fifteenth century. In his rendition, da Vinci skillfully portrays the emotional dynamics between Jesus and his disciples, capturing Jesus’ announcement of betrayal. With its meticulously arranged figures and dramatic lighting, the composition has become an iconic Wester representation of the Last Supper.

In contrast, Tintoretto’s interpretation of the Last Supper, created during the Renaissance, exudes a sense of movement and dynamism. His painting emphasizes the interaction between the figures, with Jesus at the center surrounded by disciples engaged in animated conversation. Tintoretto’s vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes add drama and intensity to the scene.

Moving into the Baroque era, artists like Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velázquez offered their own interpretations of the Last Supper. Rubens’ rendition emphasizes the event’s grandeur and solemnity, while Velázquez’s painting captures the intimacy and tenderness in Jesus’ interactions with his disciples.

Modern artists continue to reinterpret the Last Supper, incorporating contemporary themes and styles. From traditional oil paintings to abstract representations, these artistic depictions keep the significance of the Last Supper, offering new creative and artistic perspectives on this timeless biblical event.

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As we consider the Easter narrative this season, or when we take Communion, hopefully, we understand and appreciate we are part of an epic, ongoing redemptive story. We each have intimate, personal relationships with the Father, born again as his children in Christ. Jesus makes this way through his willing sacrifice and resurrection.

Charles Stanley explains how communion becomes a way to understand this sacrifice and resurrection:

“Believers today observe the Lord’s Supper as a symbol of cleansing, consecration, and communion.

Jesus’ blood cleanses us of sin. Starting with Adam and Eve, God required a blood sacrifice to cover transgressions (Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 17:11). But this was just a temporary solution, as the next offense required another sacrifice. Jesus was God’s permanent answer to the problem: He took upon Himself all sin—past, present, and future —and died to pay the full penalty.

When a believer receives salvation, he is consecrated—or set apart to the Lord. His sin is forgiven, and he receives eternal life as well as the indwelling Holy Spirit. But if he at times forgets that he belongs to the Lord, he may give in to temptation. The bread and the cup provide an opportunity to remember what the Father expects of His children and to renew one’s commitment to obey.

The Lord’s Supper is also a time to be in communion. We are connected not only with the Lord who saved us but also with past and present believers. Among members of God’s family, we find comfort and support, just as the disciples and the early church did.

The Lord’s Supper is a good time to stop and recall what Jesus has given us. Partake solemnly and gratefully.”
Taken from “The Cup and the Covenant” by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).

The Last Supper is full of symbolism and themes throughout God’s redemptive plan. Even within the Last Supper, Jesus promises a future fulfillment (Luke 22:18). When we take Communion and consider God’s plan, this promise of eternal fulfillment is for us, too.

Peace.

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