Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred practice in the Christian faith that symbolizes the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
It is a time for believers to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity’s sins and to reflect on their relationship with Him.
The Bible provides many verses that guide us in understanding the significance and proper observance of this important tradition.
In this article, we’ll explore key Bible verses that shed light on the meaning of communion and how it can deepen our faith and connection with God. Do read on!
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Top Bible Verses About Communion
Luke 22:19-20
“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.'”
In these verses, Jesus establishes the practice of communion, instructing His disciples to partake in the bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood. This act serves as a tangible reminder of His sacrificial love and the new covenant between God and humanity, encouraging believers to remember and honor His ultimate sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.’ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
This passage highlights the institution of the Lord’s Supper, a sacred tradition in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of remembering Christ’s sacrifice through the symbolic acts of breaking bread and drinking wine. This ritual not only commemorates Jesus’ death but also proclaims it until He returns, reinforcing the hope and expectation of His second coming.
Matthew 26:26-28
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.’ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.'”
These verses capture the essence of the Last Supper, where Jesus shares bread and wine with His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood. This moment is pivotal in Christian faith as it represents the establishment of the new covenant and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrificial death.
John 6:53-54
“So Jesus said again, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.'”
In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of spiritually partaking in His body and blood to attain eternal life. This statement underscores the importance of communion as a means of deepening one’s relationship with Christ and securing the promise of resurrection and eternal life.
Acts 2:42
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
This verse highlights the early Christian community’s commitment to key spiritual practices, including the Lord’s Supper. It reflects the integral role of communion in fostering unity, fellowship, and devotion among believers, anchoring their faith in the shared remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
“When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.”
These verses emphasize the communal aspect of communion, highlighting how believers participate in the body and blood of Christ. The shared loaf of bread symbolizes the unity of the church, illustrating how communion brings believers together as one body in Christ.
Mark 14:22-24
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take it, for this is my body.’ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.'”
This passage recounts Jesus instituting the practice of communion during the Last Supper. By breaking bread and sharing wine, Jesus symbolically offers His body and blood as the foundation of the new covenant, inviting His followers to partake in His sacrifice and remember His love and grace.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.”
These verses stress the importance of self-examination before partaking in communion. Believers are encouraged to approach the Lord’s Table with reverence and respect, recognizing the significance of the body and blood of Christ and avoiding judgment by honoring His sacrifice.
John 6:56
“Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”
Jesus’ words here highlight the intimate union between Him and His followers through the act of communion. Partaking in His body and blood symbolizes a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, where He remains in the believer, providing spiritual nourishment and strength.
1 Corinthians 11:20-21
“When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk.”
Paul addresses issues within the Corinthian church, emphasizing the need for proper conduct during communion. These verses remind believers that the Lord’s Supper is a sacred and communal act that requires consideration and respect for one another, highlighting the importance of unity and love within the body of Christ.
Matthew 26:29
“Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
Jesus’ declaration points to the future fulfillment of the kingdom of God. This verse reminds believers of the eschatological hope associated with communion, where they look forward to the day when they will share in the Lord’s Supper with Christ in His Father’s kingdom, celebrating the ultimate redemption and restoration.
1 Corinthians 10:21
“You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.”
Paul warns against idolatry and syncretism, stressing the exclusive devotion required for communion. This verse calls believers to choose between the Lord’s Table and pagan practices, highlighting the need for purity and wholehearted commitment to Christ when participating in the Lord’s Supper.
Hebrews 9:14
“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”
This verse underscores the cleansing power of Christ’s blood, which purifies believers’ consciences from sin. It highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death, enabling believers to worship God with a pure heart and emphasizing the significance of communion in remembering and honoring His perfect sacrifice.
John 6:35
“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
Jesus identifies Himself as the bread of life, offering spiritual sustenance that satisfies eternally. This verse connects to the symbolism of communion, where the bread represents Jesus’ body, reminding believers that through Him, they receive the spiritual nourishment and fulfillment necessary for eternal life.
Luke 24:30-31
“As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!”
These verses describe a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, where He is recognized by His disciples through the breaking of bread. This moment highlights the revelatory power of communion, where believers can encounter.
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1 Corinthians 10:16
“When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?”
Paul emphasizes the profound spiritual connection believers experience during communion. By partaking in the bread and the cup, Christians share in the body and blood of Christ, reinforcing the unity and shared faith within the church.
Luke 22:17-18
“Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.'”
Jesus speaks of a future fulfillment of the Kingdom of God, connecting the act of sharing the cup with the anticipation of His return. This verse encourages believers to partake in communion with an awareness of the eschatological hope it signifies.
Acts 20:7
“On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.”
This verse illustrates the early church’s practice of gathering on the first day of the week to share in the Lord’s Supper. It underscores the importance of communion in the regular worship and fellowship of believers, as well as the centrality of the apostolic teaching.
1 Corinthians 11:24
“and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.'”
Paul recounts Jesus’ words during the Last Supper, emphasizing the command to remember Him through the breaking of bread. This verse highlights the memorial aspect of communion, where believers recall Christ’s sacrificial death on their behalf.
Matthew 26:26
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.'”
In this verse, Jesus establishes the symbolic nature of the bread as His body. It underscores the significance of communion as a tangible reminder of His sacrifice and an invitation to partake in His life and mission.
1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.'”
Paul highlights the symbolic nature of the cup as the new covenant in Christ’s blood. This verse emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and believers, sealed through Jesus’ sacrificial death, and the importance of remembering this through communion.
Luke 24:35
“Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.”
This verse recounts the recognition of Jesus by the disciples through the act of breaking bread. It underscores the revelatory power of communion, where believers can encounter and recognize the presence of the risen Christ in their midst.
John 13:18
“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’”
Jesus refers to the betrayal by Judas, highlighting the gravity of sharing a meal, particularly the Lord’s Supper. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of communion and the importance of a sincere and faithful heart.
1 Corinthians 11:26
“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
Paul emphasizes that communion is not only a memorial but also a proclamation of the Lord’s death and the anticipation of His return. This verse encourages believers to partake in the Lord’s Supper with a sense of mission and hope, announcing the gospel through this sacred act.
Revelation 3:20
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
In this verse, Jesus extends an invitation for intimate fellowship, symbolized by sharing a meal together. It highlights the personal and relational aspect of communion, where believers are invited to open their hearts to Christ and enjoy a close, transformative relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 11:28
“That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.”
This verse underscores the importance of self-examination before partaking in communion. It reminds believers to approach the Lord’s Table with a humble and contrite heart, ensuring that they partake in a manner worthy of the sacrifice it represents.
Exodus 12:14
“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time.”
This verse refers to the Passover, which prefigures the Lord’s Supper. It highlights the importance of remembrance and celebration of God’s deliverance, a theme that is central to the Christian practice of communion.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
“Get rid of the old yeast by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.”
Paul draws a parallel between the Passover and Christ’s sacrifice, urging believers to celebrate communion with purity and truth. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice and the call to live a life of holiness in response.
John 6:55-56
“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”
Jesus’ words highlight the spiritual nourishment and abiding presence found in communion. This passage reinforces the idea that partaking in the Lord’s Supper deepens the intimate relationship between Christ and the believer.
Mark 14:25
“I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus’ declaration points to a future celebration in the Kingdom of God. This verse invites believers to look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of communion when they will share in the heavenly banquet with Christ.
John 6:51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
Jesus presents Himself as the living bread, offering eternal life to those who partake in Him. This verse connects the symbolism of the bread in communion to the promise of eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice.
1 Peter 2:24
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
Peter emphasizes the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrifice. This verse highlights the significance of remembering Jesus’ suffering and healing through communion, as believers reflect on His atoning work on the cross.
Hebrews 10:19-22
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.”
This passage underscores the access to God made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice. It encourages believers to approach communion with confidence and sincerity, recognizing it as a means of drawing near to God.
Psalm 116:13
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me.”
This verse from the Psalms can be seen as a precursor to the practice of communion, expressing gratitude for God’s salvation. It encourages believers to partake in the Lord’s Supper with a heart full of praise and thanksgiving for Jesus’ saving work.
Malachi 1:11
“But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”
This verse prophesies the universal worship of God, which finds fulfillment in the global practice of communion. It highlights the honor and reverence due to God’s name, which is upheld through the celebration of the Lord’s Supper worldwide.
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What Does the Bible Say About Communion
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, holds significant meaning in the Christian faith. The practice is rooted in the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. Communion is a sacrament that symbolizes and commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of the new covenant between God and humanity.
The primary biblical foundation for communion is found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. During the Last Supper, on the night He was betrayed, Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples. In Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Paul reiterates this in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, emphasizing that every time believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. This act of remembrance is central to the Christian faith, reminding believers of Christ’s sacrificial death and the hope of His return.
Communion is also a time for self-examination and reflection. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 that those who partake in an unworthy manner are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Therefore, believers are encouraged to examine themselves and confess any sins before participating in communion.
Furthermore, communion signifies unity within the body of Christ. As Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, sharing in the bread and cup symbolizes believers’ participation in the body and blood of Christ, highlighting their unity as members of one body.
In summary, the Bible portrays communion as a profound and sacred practice that commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice, calls for self-reflection and repentance, and reinforces the unity of believers. It is a vital expression of faith, reminding Christians of the grace and love of God demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.