Jesus’ Words (Mk 14:22-25; 1 Cor 11:23-25)
Jesus’ Words (Mk 14:22-25; 1 Cor 11:23-25)
On the grounds of multiple attestation (Paul as well as Synoptic tradition) Jesus’ words about the cup, the bread, his body and blood are among the most secure elements of our traditions about Jesus.185 Paul’s claim that he “received” and “delivered” to the Corinthian church the Lord’s Supper tradition (1 Cor 11:23) reflects ancient language, including ancient Jewish language, for the passing on of traditions.186 Some think that Paul’s claim to have received the tradition “from the Lord” (Jesus) means a divine revelation rather than traditions from the Lord’s disciples. But other Jewish teachers sometimes claimed to receive a halakah from Sinai (i.e., through Moses) even though everyone understood that the tradition was mediated via other authorities.187 Paul’s claim to have received the tradition “from the Lord” (Jesus) thus does not diminish the likelihood that he draws on early Palestinian tradition here.188 Although variations in the tradition189 fit the sort of development one might expect on the basis of liturgical and rhetorical usage, a partly recoverable common Aramaic tradition may remain behind the Markan and Pauline versions.190 Various early linguistic features appear.191
Paul attests the Last Supper tradition before Mark was written, indicating that this tradition was already circulating in the first generation of Jesus’ followers.