Bible cups is a Bible subject. The word “cup” is found 59 times in the Bible and the word “cups” seven times. Come and take a look with us as to how the words are used in the Bible:

1. Lord’s Supper Cup. The cup in the Lord’s Supper is “the fruit of the vine” (Matt. 26:27-29). Some contend that the cup is a container. The text will not allow that, even though the fruit of the vine is in a container of some sort. Paul told the Corinthians to "drink the cup” (1 Cor. 11:26-27). How does one drink a cup? The fruit of the vine is something one drinks (Matt. 26:29)! Note 1 Corinthians 10:16, 21.

2. Suffering Cup. This cup is called a baptism as the Lord was overwhelmed in suffering. When the “mother of Zebedee’s children . . . said unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. . .” (Matt. 20:20-23).

3. Cold Water Cup. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). Our love for the Lord can be measured by how we treat others. There is a great demand for unselfish service on the part of the Lord’s people. The small things one does, do not go unnoticed by God. It is written in Numbers 16:9: “Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?” The Old Testament “remnant shall be very small and feeble” (Isa. 16:14). Jeremiah reported that “only a small number . . . shall return out of the land of Judah. . .” (Jer. 44:28). Jesus fed 4000 with “a few small fishes” and had “seven baskets left” (Mark 8:7-9). James tells us: “Behold also the ships, though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth” (James 3:4). So, with the words of Zechariah, we better not “despise the day of small things. . .” (Zech. 4:10)! We sometimes sing about the small things we can do.

4. Within Cup. Some of the most scathing rebukes of Jesus was toward the Pharisees of His day as recorded in Matthew 23. Among such was the “within and outside cup.” Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them be clean also” (Matt. 23:25-26). Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders as they appeared saintly and holy outwardly, but inwardly, they were full of corruption and greed. Just living as a Christian to make a show for others is like washing a cup on the outside only. We must also be clean on the inside!

5. Washing Cups. Human tradition found the Pharisees “washing of cups and pots” as recorded in Mark 7:1-9. Jesus called them “hypocrites, honoring me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; their worship was in vain as they taught for doctrines the traditions of men.” As a result of such, Jesus accused them: “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups, and many other such things ye do . . . full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition!”

6. Cup Of Death. A reading of Matthew 26:36-39 will tell us about the the impending death of Jesus. He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39)! Matthew 27:15-54 reveals His being crucified for the sins of the world! Jesus “tasted death for every man” (Tit. 2:9). He died for you (Rom. 5:6-10)! Why not live for Him?