The Last Supper

The main Jewish authority during this time was the Sanhedrin; a legislative and judicial council which was composed of 71 members, including the High Priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes. Many of tahe Sanhedrin’s powerful members were very unhappy with Jesus’ teachings, and considered them blasphemy. 

Under Roman rule, however, the Sanhedrin's power was significantly restricted—especially when it came to matters of capital punishment.  The Sanhedrin could pass death sentences, but could not carry them out without Roman approval.  For their part, the Romans didn’t concern themselves with petty local disputes—especially religious disputes. The Romans tended to be concerned about only two things: whether taxes were being paid, and whether an insurrection was being plotted. Therefore, the Sanhedrin had to try to convince the local Roman Governor—Pontius Pilate—that Jesus had told his followers not to pay taxes and that he considered himself the King of the Jews and thus a rival to Roman rule. Both claims were false, of course, but were guaranteed to catch the Governor’s attention. (Luke 23:2)

Jesus and his disciples had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover holiday, and indeed, The Last Supper was their Passover celebration. We are told that Jesus withdrew to a “large upper room” with his apostles to hold the seder meal. (Mark 14:15; Matthew 26:18)

 During the ritual, we are told Jesus did three significant things:

(1) He washed his disciples’ feet.  Judea was a dusty place, and so as a matter of course servants would wash their guests’ feet upon entering a house.  To the apostles’ surprise, Jesus himself knelt to begin washing his disciple’s feet. Simon Peter objected, claiming such a task was beneath him.  (John 13:8)

But Jesus replied, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:14-16). 

It was a clear lesson about the humble service he expected them to do for others—with no nonsense about thinking they were too important to do even the most mundane of tasks.

(2) He established the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. “Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’” (Luke 22:19-20)

(3) He gave the disciples The Great Commandment: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples; if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-33)   

 During the meal, Jesus also predicted that one of his apostles would betray him, and he also said that before the cock crowed the following morning, Simon Peter would deny knowing him three times. (Matthew 26:20; John 13:38) Simon Peter vehemently denied this, telling Jesus he was willing to die for him.

Fun Fact: the Easter holiday moves around on the calendar because the Last Supper was a Jewish Passover meal, and Jewish holidays operate on a lunar calendar. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox (which also moves around slightly, but is usually March 20).  Therefore, Easter Sunday can be anytime within a four-week period, which is the lapse of time from one full moon to the next.