Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is an important Christian practice that commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion. Christians partake in communion to remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and to signify their unity with other believers. The Bible has much to say about the meaning and practice of communion.
Here are some key Bible verses about communion from the English Standard Version (ESV):
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ himself on the night before his death. The synoptic Gospels record this event:
Matthew 26:26-29 – Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Mark 14:22-25 – And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 22:19-20 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
These passages show Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper during the Last Supper, using bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood that would be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins.
Remembering the Lord’s Death
Jesus commanded his followers to observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of him. It is a way to proclaim Christ’s death until he returns.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
These verses teach that communion serves as a memorial before God, reminding believers of Jesus’ sacrificial death that inaugurated the new covenant.
Examining Oneself
Paul instructed that believers should examine themselves spiritually before partaking in communion.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
This self-examination is meant to help believers partake in a worthy manner, recognizing the meaning and significance of the elements.
Unity of Believers
Paul also emphasized that communion symbolizes the unity of believers, since all partake of the one bread and cup.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
This unity across lines of race, class, or background reflects the unifying power of the gospel message.
Celebration
The early Christians saw the Lord’s Supper as a celebration and time of joy.
Acts 2:46 – And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts
Communion allows believers to give thanks for Christ’s work on the cross and the salvation offered through his death and resurrection.
Proclaiming Christ’s Return
In instituting communion, Jesus said he would not drink the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes. Communion anticipates Jesus’ victorious return.
Luke 22:18 – For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.
1 Corinthians 11:26 – For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Observing the Lord’s Supper allows believers to look forward to the day when they will feast with Christ himself.
Open to All Believers
The few direct instructions on observing communion make it clear that it is intended for all followers of Jesus, regardless of age, gender, or status.
Acts 2:42 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
1 Corinthians 11:28 – Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
The Gospels record Jesus instituting the Last Supper for his twelve disciples, who represent the foundation of the Christian church.
Frequency of Observance
The New Testament does not prescribe precisely how often communion should be observed. Luke describes the early church partaking daily:
Acts 2:46 – And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts
Paul implies weekly observance:
1 Corinthians 11:26 – For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Most churches celebrate communion at least monthly. The frequency can remind believers regularly of Christ’s death on their behalf.
Meaning of the Elements
The bread and wine of communion take on spiritual significance as representations of Christ’s body and blood. Consuming these elements allows believers to spiritually partake of Jesus himself.
John 6:53-56 – So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
1 Corinthians 10:16 – The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
The bread represents Jesus’ body broken for us, while the wine signifies his blood shed to atone for sins.
A Sacrament Ordained by Christ
Along with baptism, Protestants recognize communion as one of two sacraments instituted by Christ.
Matthew 28:19 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 11:23 – For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread…
Sacraments are visible signs and seals of God’s promises to bless believers.
Spiritual Nourishment
Beyond remembrance and memorial, communion provides spiritual nourishment to believers as they partake of Christ’s body and blood.
John 6:53-56 – So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
Just as natural food and drink sustain physical life, communion nourishes believers’ spiritual life in Christ.
Commanded by Christ
Jesus himself instituted and commanded the practice of observing the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of him.
Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 – and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Because it was instituted by Christ, communion is a central practice believers should observe according to his instructions.
Looking Ahead to the Marriage Supper
Communion provides a foretaste of the great end-time marriage supper of the Lamb described in Revelation.
Revelation 19:9 – And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Observing the Lord’s Supper anticipates the joy of feasting with Christ upon his return, when believers will celebrate with him face to face.
These key Bible passages reveal the biblical significance and instructions for the practice of communion. For Christians, partaking of the bread and wine reminds them of Christ’s death, provides spiritual nourishment, proclaims their unity in Christ, celebrates his salvation, and anticipates his victorious return.