The Mystical Supper When the evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me". Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, You have said it".         -Matthew 26:20-23,25 The entire basis for The Mystical Supper icon can be found in the Gospels: Matthew 26:20-35; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-38; John 13:1-38. By reading these passages, we find that this icon is based on the moment that Christ tells His Disciples that one will betray him. The Disciples look around in confusion, wondering who is the betrayer. Christ answers them with the above passage. In the icon, Judas can be seen reaching across the table toward the bowl. Judas is also portrayed in full profile, indicating that he has fallen away from the face of God. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."         -Matthew 26:26-30 Close Window