Discussion Questions

Old Testament

• Exodus 24:8 refers to the “blood of the covenant.” Is this the same blood and same covenant referred to by Christ in Matthew 26:28?
• What was the purpose of the blood sacrifices in Exodus 29? Why don’t Jews or Christians still sacrifice animals on an altar?

New Testament

• Why does Christ refer to wine as “my blood of the new testament?” Matthew 26:28.
• Why did Judas kiss Jesus when he betrayed him? Matthew 26:48-49.
• Both Judas and Peter denied Christ. How and why did the result of their sins differ so completely? Matthew 27:3-5

Notes and Commentary

Old Testament

Exodus 24:8 refers to the “blood of the covenant.” Is this the same blood and same covenant referred to by Christ in Matthew 26:28?

Exodus 24:8 (WEBME). Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.”

Matthew 26:27-29 (WEB). [27] He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,   [28]  for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.   [29]  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.”  

Old Covenant (Exodus 24:8)	New Covenant (Matthew 26:27-29)
Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.”	[27] He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,   [28]  for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.   [29]  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.”
The blood of animals (Ex. 24:5)	Christ’s Blood (Matt. 26:28)
Sacrifice must be constantly renewed (Lev. 16; Heb. 10:1)	Sacrifice lasts forever (Heb. 10:10; Rom. 6:10)
A lesser covenant (Hebrews 8:6-12)	A better covenant (Hebrews 8:6-12)

Table 1 Blood of the [New] Covenant

What was the purpose of the blood sacrifices in Exodus 29? Why don’t Jews or Christians still sacrifice animals on an altar?

1. Read Exodus 29:10-22
2. Blood Sacrifice↓
   1. The ceremonies wherewith it was to be done were very fully and particularly appointed, because nothing of this kind had been done before, and because it was to be a statute for ever that the high priest should be thus inaugurated.
      The place was at the door of the tabernacle of meeting [vs. 11] God was pleased to dwell in the tabernacle, the people attending in the courts, so that the door between the court and the tabernacle was the fittest place for those to be consecrated in who were to mediate between God and man, and to stand between both, and lay their hands (as it were) upon both. They were consecrated at the door, for they were to be door-keepers. [A]  [A] Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible
   2. The life of all animals was regarded as especially in the blood, which was a sacred and essential part of the sacrifices offered to God, Heb 9:22. It was solemnly sprinkled upon the altar and the mercy seat, "for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul," Le 17:1-16 the life of the victim for the life of the sinner. [B]  [B] American Tract society [c1859] Rand, W. W. (William Wilberforce), 1816-1909, ed.
3. Christ’s Blood↓
   1. The Old Testament was confirmed by the blood of bulls and goats (Heb. ix. 19, 20; Exod. xxiv. 8); but the New Testament with the blood of Christ, which is here distinguished from that; It is my blood of the New Testament. The covenant God is pleased to make with us, and all the benefits and privileges of it, are owing to the merits of Christ’s death.
      It is shed for many. Christ came to confirm a covenant with many (Dan. ix. 27), and the intent of his death agreed. The blood of the Old Testament was shed for a few: it confirmed a covenant, which (saith Moses) the Lord has made with you, Exod. xxiv. 8. The atonement was made only for the children of Israel (Lev. xvi. 34): but Jesus Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. [C]  [C] 1 John ii. 2.
      It is shed for the remission of sins, that is, to purchase remission of sins for us. The redemption which we have through his blood, is the remission of sins, Eph. i. 7. The new covenant which is procured and ratified by the blood of Christ, is a charter of pardon, an act of indemnity, in order to a reconciliation between God and man; for sin was the only thing that made the quarrel, and without shedding of blood is no remission, Heb. ix. 22. The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord’s supper, conferred upon all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings, and the spring of everlasting comfort. [D]  [D] Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew 26:28
4. Why Jews no longer have animal sacrifices?↓
   1. The second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The city of Jerusalem was paganized in the second century AD, which led to a sense of despair that the temple could be rebuilt. There was a grave religious and psychological crisis, to say nothing of the physical crisis that scattered the Jews throughout the Roman Empire.  The foundation of a religion based on centralized worship and sacrifice in the Temple had been obliterated.
   2. Different elements within the Jewish community responded in different ways:
      1. The Sadducees disappeared. Their religion had been tied to the Temple in Jerusalem and to the sacrifice system, which no longer existed. Their dogma had become inflexible and they could not adapt to the changes that Rome imposed.
      2. Samaritans adhered to their old ways. They maintained the practices of sacrifice outside Jerusalem. To this day, each year on Passover Eve, the Samaritans climb to the summit of Mount Gerizim and re-enact the Passover sacrifice that preceded the Exodus from Egypt. They pitch tents and sacrifice seven lambs, whose meat they roast over an open fire, exactly as prescribed in the Bible--a tradition roughly 3,500 years old.
   3. What was to become modern Judaism took a different approach, and found a new way to stay on the old path. The rabbis extended the pharisaic concept that the experience of God was not contingent on the Temple.
      1. The seeds had been sown by the prophets 500 years earlier and now came to fruition. The religion did not disappear, even though its center was gone. Prayer replaced sacrifice, and the local synagogue replaced the centralized Temple.
      2. The decisions of the rabbis in the Mishnah and the Talmud were final. Sacrifice was permitted only in the Temple in Jerusalem. With the destruction of the Temple, sacrifice was no longer possible.
         1. It was an interesting ruling. Another response might have been to go back to pre-Temple days when sacrifice was allowed in many locations. But they rejected that path. Partly they may have recognized that the religion had evolved beyond the need for sacrifice. And partly they understood that sacrifice was common in the Roman (pagan) world, and they led Judaism on a different route.
         2. The rabbis drew upon the prophets to "work through" (in modern terminology) the devastation of 70 AD, to find a new basis for religious life. So sacrifice was prohibited, until the Temple was rebuilt and the priestly cult re-established, which presumably won’t happen until Messianic Days. [E]  [E] Some, apparently, want to re-institute animal sacrifice. See http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2091/why-do-jews-no-longer-sacrifice-animals [Sorry if this citation sounds less than authoritative. See the sources cited on their web site. Other sources seem to confirm this view as well – e.g. Judaism 101 at http://www.jewfaq.org/qorbanot.htm; “Being Jewish” website at http://www.beingjewish.com/unchanged/sacrifices.html

New Testament

1. Why does Christ refer to wine as “my blood of the new testament?” Matthew 26:28.

   Matthew 26:26-28 (WEB).  [27] He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,   [28]  for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.   [29]  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.”

   1. [Barnes’ New Testament Notes] The old covenant was that which was made with the Jews by the sprinkled of the blood of sacrifices. See Ex 24:8. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you, etc. In allusion to that, Jesus says, this cup is the NEW covenant in my blood; that is, ratified, or sealed and sanctioned by my blood. Anciently, covenants or contracts were ratified by slaying an animal; by the shedding of its blood; imprecating similar vengeance if either party failed in the compact. So Jesus says the covenant which God is about to form with men, the new covenant, or the gospel economy, is sealed or ratified with his blood... In order that sins may be remitted, or forgiven. That is, this is the appointed way by which God will pardon transgressions. That blood is efficacious for the pardon of sin.
   2. [Adam Clarke’s 1810/1825 commentary and critical notes on the Bible] In this place, our Lord terms his blood the blood of the NEW covenant; by which he means that grand plan of agreement, or reconciliation, which God was now establishing between himself and mankind, by the passion and death of his Son, through whom alone men could draw nigh to God; and this NEW covenant is mentioned in contradistinction from the OLD covenant, 2 Cor 3:14, by which appellative all the books of the Old Testament were distinguished, because they pointed out the way of reconciliation to God by the blood of the various victims slain under the law; but now, as the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, was about to be offered up, a NEW and LIVING way was thereby constituted, so that no one henceforth could come unto the Father but by HIM. Hence all the books of the New Testament, which bear unanimous testimony to the doctrine of salvation by faith through the blood of Jesus, are termed,The NEW covenant.
   3. [Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible] The Old Testament was confirmed by the blood of bulls and goats (Heb. ix. 19, 20; Exod. xxiv. 8); but the New Testament with the blood of Christ, which is here distinguished from that; It is my blood of the New Testament. The covenant God is pleased to make with us, and all the benefits and privileges of it, are owing to the merits of Christ’s death.
   4. [The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts of Apostles] The prime object of Christ’s death is here declared. It was to accomplish the forgiveness of sins. All other purposes which it served are subordinate to this, and all other blessings which it secures are consequent upon this (#Joh 1:29 Eph 5:2 Heb 7:27 1Jo 2:2 4:10 Isa 53:10 Ro 8:2 1Co 15:3).
2. Why did Judas kiss Jesus when he betrayed him? Matthew 26:48-49.
   1. Matthew 26:48-49 (WEB). [48] Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”  [49] Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
   2. Without the benefit of modern lighting, identification of Jesus at night may have been difficult. Judas played the crucial role in the plot to arrest Jesus. He knew what Jesus looked like, and exactly where to look for him. Presumably Jesus would not run away when approached by one of his disciples.
   3. [Barnes’ New Testament Notes] The word translated hail, here means, to rejoice, to have joy; and also to have cause of joy. It thus expresses the joy which one friend has when he meets another, especially after an absence. It was used by the Jews and Greeks as a mode of salutation among friends. It would here seem to express the joy of Judas at finding his Master, and again being with him.
   4. [John Gill’s Expositor] So this deceitful wretch still addresses him as his master, though he was now serving his most implacable enemies; and wishes him all peace and joy, when he was going to deliver him into the hands of those that sought his life; and to cover all, kissed him, as a token of his friendship and the sincerity of it.
   5. The holy kiss was a a sign of fellowship and love (2 Corinthians 13:11-12). Consider what a horrible perversion of that tradition was Judas’ manner of identifying Jesus.
3. Both Judas and Peter denied Christ. How and why did their sins bring about such different consequences?
   1. Matthew 27:3-5 (WEB)

   [3] Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, [4] saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” [5] He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.

   1. Judas killed himself. Peter was a great advocate for Christ. “On the day of Pentecost, he was one of the principal witnesses for the Savior [F]  [F] Acts 2:14-40; in company with John he soon after healed a lame man at the temple gate, addressed the assembled crowd, was imprisoned, and fearlessly vindicated himself before the Sanhedrin. [G]  [G] American Tract society [c1859], Rand, W. W. (William Wilberforce), 1816-1909, ed.
   2. There are two kinds of sorrow on account of sin.
      1. One is in view of its having been committed against God: this is godly sorrow, which worketh repentance unto salvation, and needeth not to be repented of.
      2. The other is sorrow on account of the evil to which sin exposes the sinner, and is wholly selfish. This is the sorrow of the world, which worketh death. 2 Co 7:10. [i.e. Like the politician who was sorry that he got caught!]
      The sorrow of Peter exemplified the one, and that of Judas the other. [H]  [H] Family Bible Notes from the Nazrene Users Group, Sword module version 1.1
   3. Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple after his interview with the Sanhedrin. Then he went and hanged himself. So have done, since, thousands of criminals when the blackness of their crime had revealed itself to them. How often a man, after the committing a murder, shoots himself! [I]  [I] THE PEOPLE’S NEW TESTAMENT
   4. See here how Judas repented: not like Peter, who repented, believed, and was pardoned: no, he repented, despaired, and was ruined [J]  [J] Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible
   5. Judas went far toward repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confessed, but not to God; he did not go to him, and say, I have sinned, Father, against heaven. Let none be satisfied with such partial convictions as a man may have, and yet remain full of pride, enmity, and rebellion. [K]  [K] Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
   6. There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance↓.
      1. The verb “metamelomai” is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3).
      2. “Metanoeo,” meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with
      3. The cognate noun “metanoia,” is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
      Evangelical repentance consists of
      1. a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness;
      2. an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ;
      3. an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.
      The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4). [L]  [L]  Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary

Random Quotes

Everyone is sinning so its no longer rebellious to sin. If you really want to be a rebel, read your Bible because no one is doing that.

--Joy T. via Twitter

"A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing."

— Emo Philips

"A good listener is usually thinking about something else."

– Kin Hubbard (1868 – 1930)

"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else."

– Will Rogers (1879-1935), Illiterate Digest (1924), “Warning to Jokers: lay off the prince”

Notes: