Why were Jesus and his Apostles gathered at the Last Supper?

Answer 1

According to the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), Jesus was crucified the day after the Passover feast. Since Jesus and the disciples were themselves Jews, they sat down to a Passover feast on the evening before his crucifixion; this was the Last Supper.

According to John's Gospel, Jesus was actually crucified on the day of the Passover feast, so John does not report the Last Supper. Instead, this Gospel reports Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.

AnswerThe Passover meal was significant to the Jews because of their covenant with God. A covenant means a solemn and binding agreement. In the Old Testament God made several covenants with humanity: the covenant of Abraham as an example, where God promised him, despite his advancing years, that he would be the father of a whole nation. But the Passover was the great covenant between God, Moses and the israelites, as they made their escape from slavery in Egypt. The Passing Over (Pass-over) of a disease that caused the Egyptian's first born children to perish, did not affect the Jews at all. Therefore they saw this deliverance as God's great covenant between them (his 'chosen' people) and himself. That he would be their God and Saviour, and one day, in a New Covenant, would send the Messiah - who would save all people for all time.

However, in the Last Supper, Jesus makes it very clear just what is happening; instead of commemorating God's old covenant, he is here instituting God's promised New Covenant.

"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."[Luke 22 19-21]

Thus, in the Last Supper, Jesus is instituting God's New Covenant between, not just the jews, but all people and God. In his death, resurrection and ascension, the new covenant was sealed - a new covenant which superceded the old one.Therefore for Christians, the last Supper is a very significant event that underlines just who Jesus is - the promised Messiah and Saviour of all, and, because of this, this scene is re-enacted at the mass or Communion service as Jesus commanded - in rememberance of him.

In the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) the Last Supper meal is described in detail, with the focus being placed on the New Covenant between God and humanity. However, in John's Gospel, focus lies elsewhere, as John was less concerned with the Jewish Covenant, and more concerned with the real nature of Jesus - so much that he contributes several chapters of his book to the last hours of Jesus life on earth whereas the other synoptics deal with the matter in a few verses. In John, the Last Supper dwells more on Jesus washing his disciples' feet - but is there nevertheless:

"The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

... When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.... {When questioned about his betrayer}, Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.

[John 13: 2-5, 12, 26-28]

Answer 2

This was the Jewish feast of the Passover and they were taking the Passover together.

Mark 14:12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?"

Answer 3

One of the big feast days of Israel is "Passover". This feast day originated as the "Children of Israel" left Egypt after being in slavery for a long time. This feast was supposed to be held every year.

Approximately 1480 years later, Jesus and His disciples were going to celebrate the Passover and so they chose an upper room to hold the feast.

Unknown to anyone, even His disciples, Jesus was going to offer Himself as a sacrifice for mankind's sin on this feast day.

Since that time or soon after Christians called this last supper(of Passover)that Jesus celebrated with His disciples the "Last Supper".

Answer 4

According to the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), Jesus was crucified the day after the Passover feast. Since Jesus and the disciples were themselves Jews, they sat down to a Passover feast on the evening before his crucifixion; this was the Last Supper.

According to John's Gospel, Jesus was actually crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover feast (John 19:14), so Johndoes not describe the Last Supper. Instead, this Gospel portrays Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.

Answer 5

The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) say that this was the day of the Jewish Passover, which traditionally begins with a feast at sundown. This was the Last Supper for Jesus.

John's Gospel says that Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover. There could not have been a Passover feast the evening before the crucifixion and this Gospel does not talk about a ritual meal, instead having Jesus wash the feet of the disciples on the last evening before his crucifixion.

Answer 6

It was the traditional Jewish Passover meal which is held on Nissan 13 each year.

Answer 7

Jesus had the last supper because he wanted to celebrate his lasts days on earth.

Answer 8

well yes but he said whoever dips this bread in the wine will betray me and it was judas.

Answer 9

To establish a covenant and to order celebration of his death which should take place every year at Nissan 14.