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The Four Cups of Passover

Written: ~1400 BCFulfilled: ~AD 30

The four cups of the Passover Seder, representing God's four promises of redemption in Exodus 6, were reinterpreted by Jesus at the Last Supper.

Prophecy & Fulfillment

Old Testament Prophecy

Exodus 6:6-7

""I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.""

New Testament Fulfillment

Luke 22:17-20

"After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.""

Commentary

The Passover Seder includes four cups corresponding to God's four "I will" statements in Exodus 6:6-7. Jesus reinterpreted the third cup (the Cup of Redemption) as "the new covenant in my blood." The fourth cup (the Cup of Praise/Completion) he said he would not drink until the kingdom of God comes, pointing to the eschatological banquet.