Single lesson

The Last Supper

Matthew 26:17–35; Mark 14:12–31; Luke 22:7–38; John 13:18–30; John 13:36–38

In this lesson, children explore how Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each report the Last Supper. They will notice what Jesus says at the meal, how the disciples respond, and which details belong to each Gospel account.

6–10 years30 minutes

Before you teach

These readings include preparing the Passover, Jesus sharing bread and the cup, warnings about betrayal and Peter’s denial, Luke’s teaching about greatness and service, and a brief final conversation about what is coming. The passages give overlapping reports, so the lesson compares what each Gospel says rather than merging every detail into one fixed order.

Learning aim

Students will be able to name at least three details Jesus says at the meal and match at least two details to the Gospel that reports them.

1

Welcome: Four reports of one important meal

4 min

Show children the four Gospel names in today’s reading. Explain that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all report this meal, and today the class will listen carefully to what each one says. Start with the preparation: Jesus told the disciples to prepare the Passover, and they found things as he had said.

Matthew 26:18, Matthew 26:19, Mark 14:13, Mark 14:16, Luke 22:8, Luke 22:13

2

Read and explain: Jesus wanted to share this Passover

8 min

Read Luke 22:14-20, then Matthew 26:26-29 or Mark 14:22-25. Explain that Jesus says he had earnestly desired to eat this Passover with them before he suffers. He gives thanks, shares bread and the cup, and speaks about his body and the new covenant in his blood.

Luke 22:14, Luke 22:15, Luke 22:19, Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:26, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:22, Mark 14:24

3

Discuss: Warnings at the table

6 min

Compare two reports carefully. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus says one of them will betray him before the bread and cup are reported. In Luke, the bread and cup are reported before the betrayal warning. In John, Jesus identifies Judas by giving him the dipped piece of bread, and Judas goes out immediately.

Matthew 26:21, Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:18, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, Luke 22:21, John 13:26, John 13:30

4

Make and respond: Match the scene to the Gospel

8 min

Give children six scene slips: prepare the room, bread and cup, who is greatest, one who serves, Judas receives the morsel and goes out, Peter is warned. Children place each slip under Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, using the Bible to check. Tell them some scenes belong in more than one Gospel, and some are only named in one.

Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:15, Luke 22:24, Luke 22:27, John 13:26, John 13:30, John 13:38

5

Closing: Service, warning and trust in Jesus’ words

4 min

Finish with Luke and John. Jesus says the greater one should be as one who serves, and he says, “I am among you as one who serves.” He warns Peter about denial, says he has prayed for him, and speaks of what is being fulfilled. Application: our class can respond by taking Jesus’ words seriously and choosing to serve others.

Luke 22:26, Luke 22:27, Luke 22:31, Luke 22:32, Luke 22:37, Luke 22:38, John 13:37, John 13:38

Questions to explore

What did the disciples do to get ready for the meal, and how did they know what to do?

Find the verses where Jesus told them where to go and the verses saying they found things as he had said.

Matthew 26:18, Matthew 26:19, Mark 14:13, Mark 14:16, Luke 22:10, Luke 22:13

Which Gospel in today’s reading says Jesus is among them as one who serves, and what argument was he answering?

Look for the dispute about who was greatest and then read Jesus’ answer about serving.

Luke 22:24, Luke 22:26, Luke 22:27

What warning did Jesus give Peter, and what extra word of comfort does Luke include?

Compare the warning about denying Jesus with Luke’s words that Jesus prayed for Peter and told him to strengthen his brothers.

Matthew 26:34, Luke 22:32, Luke 22:34, John 13:38

Make, think or respond

Match the Scene to the Gospel

What you’ll need

  • small slips of paper
  • pencils or textas
  • four larger papers labelled Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
  • Bible

Try it together

  1. Write or draw six scene slips: prepare the room, bread and cup, who is greatest, one who serves, Judas receives the morsel, Peter is warned.
  2. Place the four Gospel labels on a table or floor.
  3. Read the listed verses and place each scene slip under the Gospel or Gospels that mention it.
  4. Check answers together and let children explain which verse helped them decide.

This activity helps children compare the accounts carefully without forcing every detail into one combined timeline.

Adapt for your group

  • For younger children, use four prepared picture areas and let them sort only four slips instead of six.
  • For older or confident readers, ask them to add the exact verse reference beside each slip after they place it.

An optional closing prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your true words at this meal. Please help us listen carefully, remember that you serve, and trust what you say. Amen.”

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

Matthew 26

17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ”

19 The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

21 As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”

23 He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.

24 The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,

28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

33 But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

Mark 14

12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”

13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him,

14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’

15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”

16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.

18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”

19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”

20 He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.

21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.

24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27 Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

29 But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”

30 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

31 But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.

Luke 22

7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

9 They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

11 Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’

12 He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

13 They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.

15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

16 for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.”

17 He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves,

18 for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

19 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”

20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

22 The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

23 They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing.

24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

25 He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

26 But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.

29 I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

31 The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat,

32 but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

33 He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

34 He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.

37 For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.”

38 They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

John 13

18 I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’

19 From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.

20 Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”

21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.

23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest.

24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”

25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

28 Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him.

29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

30 Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”

37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.

Source passages

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