{The Covenant} (	(8873) diath(886b)(8873)). The adjective kain(8873) in
Textus Receptus is not genuine. The covenant is an agreement or
contract between two (dia, duo, th(886b)e, from 	ith(886d)i). It is
used also for will (Latin, _testamentum_) which becomes operative
at death ( Heb 9:15-17 ). Hence our _New Testament_. Either
covenant or will makes sense here. Covenant is the idea in  Heb
7:22  8:8  and often. In the Hebrew to make a covenant was to cut
up the sacrifice and so ratify the agreement ( Ge 15:9-18 ).
Lightfoot argues that the word diath(886b)e means covenant in the
N.T. except in  Heb 9:15-17 . Jesus here uses the solemn words of
 Ex 24:8  "the blood of the covenant" at Sinai. "My blood of the
covenant" is in contrast with that. This is the New Covenant of
 Jer 31  Heb 8 . {Which is shed for many} (	o peri poll(936e)
ekchunnomenon). A prophetic present passive participle. The act
is symbolized by the ordinance. Cf. the purpose of Christ
expressed in  20:28 . There anti and here peri. {Unto
remission of sins} (eis aphesin hamarti(936e)). This clause is in
Matthew alone but it is not to be restricted for that reason. It
is the truth. This passage answers all the modern sentimentalism
that finds in the teaching of Jesus only pious ethical remarks or
eschatological dreamings. He had the definite conception of his
death on the cross as the basis of forgiveness of sin. The
purpose of the shedding of his blood of the New Covenant was
precisely to remove (forgive) sins.