📖 Biblical Definition
The Thursday of Holy Week commemorating the events of the Last Supper — Christ's washing of the disciples' feet, the institution of the Lord's Supper, the upper-room discourse (John 13-17), and the new commandment to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). The name Maundy derives from the Latin mandatum novum (new commandment) of John 13:34, compressed through Old French into modern English maundy. The day is observed in many liturgical Christian traditions with foot-washing services (echoing John 13:1-17), the celebration of communion, and the stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday. The Eastern Orthodox parallel is Holy Thursday. Maundy Thursday begins the Triduum (the three holy days of the Passion), continuing through Good Friday and ending at Easter. The day frames the cross within Christ's own pre-passion teaching of servant-love — the kingdom is built not by mastery over others but by laying-down-of-life for them.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Thursday of Holy Week; Last Supper and new commandment.
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The Thursday of Holy Week commemorating Christ's last supper with His disciples, His washing of their feet, and His giving of the new commandment ('A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another' — John 13:34) from which the day takes its name (mandatum).
📖 Key Scripture
John 13:34-35 — "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples."
Luke 22:19-20 — "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
John 13:14 — "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Forgotten in many evangelical churches; the foot-washing and new commandment of Holy Week deserve their own meditation.
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The night before the cross, Jesus washed feet, instituted the Supper, and gave the new commandment. Maundy Thursday holds these together. To skip from Palm Sunday to Easter loses the upper-room theology that grounds Christian community.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin mandatum — commandment.
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['Latin', '—', 'mandatum', 'commandment']
['Greek', 'G1785', 'entolē', 'commandment']
Usage
"Observe Maundy Thursday for the upper-room theology."
"Foot-washing, supper, new commandment."