John Gill Commentary Luke 22:17

"And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:" — Luke 22:17 (ASV)

And he took the cup and gave thanks
There were four cups of wine drank at the passover, which the poorest man in Israel was obliged to drink; and over each of which a blessing was pronounced ^F13: and this was one of them, and seems to be the first; for the passover was begun by mixing a cup of wine, and blessing it, or giving thanks over it ^F14; and which was usually done in the following manner ^F15:

``blessed are you, O Lord, our God, the King of the world, who have created "the fruit of the vine": blessed are you, O Lord our God, the King of the world, who has chosen us above all people, and has exalted us above every tongue, and has sanctified us by his commandments; and you have given unto us, O Lord our God, in love, the stated festivals for joy, and the feasts and seasons for rejoicing; this day of the feast of unleavened bread, this time of our freedom, a holy convocation, in remembrance of the going out of Egypt; for you have chosen us, and you have sanctified us, above all people; and the feasts of your holiness with joy and rejoicing you have made us to inherit: blessed are you, O Lord, who has sanctified Israel, and the seasons: blessed are you, O Lord our God, who has kept us alive, and preserved us, and have brought us to this time.''

Accordingly it follows, and said, take this and divide it among yourselves; that is, every one drink of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F13: Maimon. Chametz Umetzah, c. 7. sect. 9, 10.
• F14: Ib. c. 8. sect. 1.
• F15: Haggada Shel Pesach. fol. 241. 1, 2. ed. Basil. p. 3, 4. ed. Rittangel.