Matthew 26:28

This is my blood. As the bread represented Jesus’ body, so the wine represented His blood (see on v. 26).

Testament. The blood that Jesus shed on Calvary ratified, or made valid, the new covenant, or “testament,” even as the blood of oxen stood for the ratification of the old covenant (Ex. 24:5-8; Heb. 9:15-23; cf. Gal. 3:15). Except for the vicarious death of Christ the plan of salvation would never have become a reality. Even those saved in OT times were saved by virtue of the sacrifice to come (Heb. 9:15). They were saved as they looked forward in faith, even as men find salvation today by looking backward to the death of Christ. For a further discussion of the nature of the “new covenant” see on Heb. 8:8-11.

Shed for many. The vicarious nature of the atoning death of Christ is clearly affirmed (cf. Isa. 53:4-6, 8, 10-12). Luke reads, “shed for you,” that is, shed on your behalf (ch. 22:20). Compare also Matt. 20:28.

Remission. Gr. aphesis, “release,” “forgiveness,” “pardon,” from the verb aphiemi, “to send away,” “to dismiss,” “to forgive” (see on ch. 6:12). The word is used in the papyri for the “release” of captives and for the remission from debt or punishment. Here, the meaning of “forgiveness” is to be preferred (see John 3:16; cf. Matt. 20:28).