And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
Christ reveals the meaning of His death. His blood is the blood of the New Covenant, by which the forgiveness of sins is confirmed and God’s people’s new relationship with the Lord is established. The old covenant had been confirmed by the blood of sacrifices, but these were only foreshadowings. Now the blood of Christ is poured out as the true and perfect sacrifice. The phrase “for many” shows substitutionary sacrifice: He gives His life for the salvation of others. This cup is the heart of the Gospel: sinners are received before God not by their own merit, but by the poured-out blood of Christ.