Lexical Summary potérion: Cup Original Word: ποτήριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cup. Neuter of a derivative of the alternate of pino; a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e. A cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate -- cup. see GREEK pino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina dim. form derivation from pinó Definition a wine cup NASB Translation cup (30), cups (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4221: ποτήριονποτήριον, ποτηρίου, τό (diminutive of ποτήρ), a cup, a drinking vessel; a. properly: Matthew 23:25; Matthew 26:27; Mark 7:4, 8 (T WH omit; Tr brackets the verse); Mark 14:23; Luke 11:39; Luke 22:17, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Revelation 17:4; πίνειν ἐκ τοῦ ποτηρίου, 1 Corinthians 11:28; τό ποτήριον τῆς ἐυλογιασς (see εὐλογία, 4), 1 Corinthians 10:16; with a genitive of the thing with which the cup is filled: ψυχροῦ, Matthew 10:42; ὕδατος, Mark 9:41; by metonymy, of the container for the contained, the contents of the cup, what is offered to be drunk, Luke 22:20b ((WH reject the passage) cf. Winer's 635f (589f)); 1 Corinthians 11:25f; τό ποτήριον τίνος, genitive of the person giving the entertainment (cf. Rückert, Abendmahl, p. 217f): πίνειν, 1 Corinthians 10:21 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 189 (178)); b. By a figure common to Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, and not unknown to Latin writers, one's lot or experience, whether joyous or adverse, divine appointments, whether favorable or unfavorable, are likened to a cup which God presents one to drink (cf. Winer's Grammar, 32): so of prosperity, Psalm 15:5 The term translated “cup” appears thirty-two times in the Greek New Testament and functions as both a common utensil and a richly layered symbol. From table fellowship to eschatological judgment, the image bridges daily life, covenant worship, discipleship, and final destiny. Historical and Cultural Background In first-century Judea a cup was a small clay, stone, or occasionally metal vessel used for wine or water at meals and feasts. Ceremonial rinsings of such cups (Mark 7:4) formed part of Pharisaic purity customs. At Passover four cups of wine structured the liturgy, providing the backdrop for Jesus’ words at the Last Supper. Literal Uses in the New Testament 1. Domestic or ceremonial cups: Mark 7:4; Mark 7:8; Matthew 23:25-26; Luke 11:39. These texts emphasize practical kindness and reveal how external cleansing customs could mask internal impurity. Metaphorical Uses: Blessing and Wrath Scripture regularly employs “cup” to signify an appointed portion from God: The same vessel thus conveys diametrically opposed destinies, highlighting divine sovereignty in salvation and judgment. The Cup of Christ’s Passion In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39; cf. Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42). Earlier He asked James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). The “cup” here encapsulates the suffering, wrath, and redemptive mission entrusted to the Son. John records the resolved submission: “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” (John 18:11). The Eucharistic Cup in Apostolic Teaching During the Passover meal Jesus “took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20). Paul transmits the same tradition: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Participation is therefore covenantal: believers proclaim the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and must examine themselves lest they drink judgment on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27-28). Discipleship Implications To “drink His cup” (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:39) signifies sharing in Christ’s sufferings and ultimate vindication. Conversely, 1 Corinthians 10:21 warns that true disciples cannot partake of both “the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons,” underscoring exclusive allegiance. Eschatological Cups in Revelation Revelation intensifies the imagery. Babylon holds “a golden cup full of abominations” (Revelation 17:4). Her own cup becomes the instrument of her retribution: “Pay her back double according to her deeds; in the cup she has mixed, mix her a double portion” (Revelation 18:6). The outpouring of divine wrath reaches climax when “the great city was split into three parts … and the fury of His wrath was poured into the cup” (Revelation 16:19). Inner Purity versus Outer Cleansing Jesus confronts hypocrisy by contrasting a polished exterior with a corrupt interior: “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). True righteousness begins within, and only then will the “outside” be clean (Matthew 23:26). Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Service: Even a humble cup of water, given in Jesus’ name, matters eternally (Matthew 10:42). Related Old Testament Antecedents Psalm 23:5 celebrates the overflowing cup of Yahweh’s provision, while Psalm 75:8 and Isaiah 51:17 foretell a cup of staggering for the wicked. These prophetic strands converge in the New Testament fulfillment found in Christ and Revelation’s final judgments. Summary The “cup” of Scripture gathers together hospitality, covenant blessing, sacrificial suffering, moral integrity, and ultimate judgment. In accepting Christ’s cup believers receive life; in refusing it they face a cup of wrath. Thus every appearance of Strong’s Greek 4221 presses the reader toward wholehearted faith and obedience. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:42 N-ANSGRK: μικρῶν τούτων ποτήριον ψυχροῦ μόνον NAS: even a cup of cold KJV: little ones a cup of cold INT: little ones of these a cup of cold [water] only Matthew 20:22 N-ANS Matthew 20:23 N-ANS Matthew 23:25 N-GNS Matthew 23:26 N-GNS Matthew 26:27 N-ANS Matthew 26:39 N-ANS Mark 7:4 N-GNP Mark 7:8 Noun-GNP Mark 9:41 N-ANS Mark 10:38 N-ANS Mark 10:39 N-ANS Mark 14:23 N-ANS Mark 14:36 N-ANS Luke 11:39 N-GNS Luke 22:17 N-ANS Luke 22:20 N-NNS Luke 22:20 N-NNS Luke 22:42 N-ANS John 18:11 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 10:16 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 10:21 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 10:21 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 11:25 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 11:25 N-NNS Strong's Greek 4221 |
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