Were they sitting or reclining when Jesus took the bread and the cup?
They were reclining when Jesus took the bread and the cup. The text states that as they were eating—and that was at a recline—Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He also took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them.
Les explains that the custom had not changed much, so when He sat down there was a regular meal eaten before the Passover lambs were killed. This was the last supper, but not the Passover lamb. He sat down with the twelve to eat the last supper before they would start killing the lambs. Then, as they were eating—now that was at a recline—Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take eat, this is My body.' He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to them, and said, 'Drink all of it, for this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' Les points out that Jesus gave no doctrinal exposition on the bread and wine, no explanation and no instructions on how to practice it from here on. After singing a hymn, they went out.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.