What happened during the last supper?
BREAKDOWN
The Last Supper was a pivotal event in the life of Jesus, recounted in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38) and alluded to in John's Gospel (John 13:1-17:26) within the context of Jesus' final teachings and actions before his crucifixion. It occurred on the first day of Unleavened Bread, making it a Passover meal. Jesus gathered with his twelve disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem. During this meal, Jesus predicted his betrayal by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, and foretold Peter's denial. Most significantly, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, also known as the Lord's Supper, taking bread and wine and giving them new meaning as symbols of his body to be broken and his blood to be shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing a New Covenant. He commanded his disciples to do this in remembrance of him, as recorded in Luke 22:19-20: "He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.' Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" This act transformed the traditional Passover Seder into a foretaste of his sacrificial death and resurrection, offering salvation to all who believe. Beyond the institution of the Eucharist, the Last Supper also included Jesus' demonstration of humble service by washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17), an act that taught them about servant leadership and mutual love. He gave them a new commandment: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another" (John 13:34). The supper concluded with Jesus' extensive teaching about the coming Holy Spirit, the nature of their relationship with him and the Father, and a prayer for their unity and protection, collectively known as the Farewell Discourse (John 14-17). This gathering was not merely a meal but a profound theological moment where Jesus prepared his followers for his imminent departure and the continuation of his mission through them, establishing the foundational practices and theological underpinnings of Christian worship and community.
KEY TERMS
Passover meal
An annual Jewish feast commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, consisting of specific foods and rituals.
Eucharist
Also known as the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion, a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper by consecrating bread and wine.
New Covenant
A theological concept in Christianity, referring to the new relationship between God and humanity established through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
foot washing
An act of humble service performed by Jesus at the Last Supper, teaching disciples about servant leadership and mutual love.
Farewell Discourse
The extended teachings and prayers of Jesus recorded in John 14-17, delivered during and after the Last Supper.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Matthew 26:17-30
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. Now when evening came, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each one began to ask him, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him; but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said it.” As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “All of you drink from it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:12-26
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he enters, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening he came with the twelve. As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.” They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish. For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Luke 22:7-38
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house where he enters. Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will himself show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” They went, and found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on, until the Kingdom of God comes.” He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” They began to question one another, which of them it was who would do this thing. There was also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But you will not be so. But he who is greatest among you, let him become as the youngest, and he who is a leader, as one who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. But you are those who have continued with me in my temptations. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied that you know me three times.” He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. He who has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with the transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.” They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “It is enough.”
John 13:1-17:26
Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his time had come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, rose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped it around himself. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was wrapped. So he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I do, you don’t know now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed only needs to wash his feet, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say well, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ From now on, I tell you before it comes to pass, so that when it comes to pass, you may believe that I am he. Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ bosom. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” He, leaning back, as he was on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Therefore, having received the piece of bread, he immediately went out. It was night. Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I go, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow me now, but you will follow me afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly, I tell you, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. You know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, and doesn’t know him. But you know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. After a little while, the world will no longer see me; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. I have spoken these things to you while remaining with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said, ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it comes to pass, so that when it comes to pass, you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here. I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and withers; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. “I command you these things, that you may love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have had sin; but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this happened that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn’t be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father, nor me. But I have told you these things, so that when their time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he has come, he will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment: about sin, because they don’t believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you will see me no more; about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged. I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. He will glorify me, for he will take of what is mine, and will declare it to you. All things whatever the Father has are mine. Therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.” Therefore some of his disciples said among themselves, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father?’” They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is talking about.” Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’ Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman when she gives birth has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came out from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech. Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to ask you. By this we believe that you came forth from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you; even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. I revealed your name to the men whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. Now they have known that everything you have given me is from you. For the words which you gave me I have given to them. They received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you. They have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All my things are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name which you have given me. I watched over them, and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to you; and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world didn’t know you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Luke 22:19-20
He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Matthew 26:26-28ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
εὐχαριστία
Eucharist
DefinitionThanksgiving, gratitude, the act of giving thanks.
διαθήκη
Covenant
DefinitionA testament, will, or solemn agreement; a divinely established relationship or promise.
σῶμα
Body
DefinitionBody, physical substance.
αἷμα
Blood
DefinitionBlood.
ἀγάπη
Love
DefinitionUnconditional, self-sacrificial, divine love.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Last Supper took place within the socio-religious context of 1st century Judea under Roman occupation. The Passover meal (Pesach) was a central annual observance for Jews, commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt. It was a highly ritualized Seder, involving specific foods (unleavened bread, bitter herbs, roasted lamb) and prayers that retold the Exodus narrative. Jesus' adaptation of this meal carried immense significance for his Jewish disciples, as it reinterpreted their foundational liberation story through the lens of his impending sacrifice. Archaeological evidence from Jerusalem, particularly around the Ophel and the upper city, indicates the presence of large residential homes, some with upper rooms capable of hosting such gatherings. The 'upper room' (ἀνάγαιον, *anagaion*) suggests a spacious room often used for important occasions, typical of wealthier homes in ancient Jerusalem. The political climate was tense, with Roman authorities vigilant against any perceived revolutionary activity, and Jewish religious leaders wary of Jesus' growing influence, setting the stage for his betrayal and arrest shortly after this meal.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
The Last Supper is profoundly significant as it marks the transition from the Old Covenant, epitomized by the Passover lamb and the Mosaic Law, to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ's self-sacrifice. It foreshadows the crucifixion as the ultimate Passover sacrifice, where Christ becomes the Lamb of God whose blood atones for sins. The institution of the Eucharist serves as a perpetual reminder of this sacrifice, creating a communal act of worship that binds believers to Christ and to each other. Furthermore, Jesus' acts of foot washing and the new commandment to love one another underscore the ethical demands of the New Covenant, emphasizing humble service and self-sacrificial love as the defining characteristics of his followers.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
While Rashi's commentaries focus on the Hebrew Bible, his insights into the Passover *Seder* (Passover meal) provide context for understanding the meal Jesus shared. The Seder is fundamentally a teaching meal, designed to retell the story of redemption and pass it on to the next generation. Jesus' actions at the Last Supper, though reinterpreted, drew directly from this existing framework, transforming the existing narrative of redemption from Egypt into a new narrative of spiritual redemption through his person.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin emphasized that in the Last Supper, Christ did not just give us a bare symbol, but truly offers himself, his body, and his blood to be received by faith. He saw the Eucharist as a spiritual communion with Christ, where believers are truly nourished by His substance for eternal life, while stressing that the physical elements themselves do not become Christ's literal body and blood but are a pledge and confirmation of spiritual participation.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry highlights the Last Supper as a testament to Christ's love and foresight. He notes how Jesus, knowing all that would befall him, still took time to comfort his disciples, institute the sacrament as a lasting memorial, and teach them enduring lessons of humility and mutual love. The Supper, for Henry, is a pre-enactment of Christ's suffering, designed to strengthen faith and assure believers of the new covenant promises.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine focused on the unity (unus corpus) aspect of the Eucharist, stating that 'the whole mystery of the Church is contained in it.' For him, when believers partake of the body and blood of Christ, they become the body of Christ, emphasizing the corporate dimension of the sacrament and its role in forging the unity of the Church.
Midrash (general theme) (Jewish)
The spirit of Midrash, focusing on interpreting scripture creatively, would see Jesus' actions at the Last Supper as a profound re-reading of the Exodus narrative. Just as the Passover lamb's blood protected Israel, Jesus' 'blood of the new covenant' establishes a new form of protection and redemption, applying ancient promises in a new, eschatological way.