“This is to my remembrance”: For almost 2,000 years, Christians have celebrated the Lord’s Supper—usually called the Lord’s Supper by Protestants, and the Eucharist or Communion by Catholics. Here you’ll find 17 Bible verses about the Lord’s Supper: the words of institution, as passed down by Paul and the Gospels, and verses about what the bread and cup mean. For worship services, confirmation classes, or your own preparation. You can find verses especially for children at Bible verses for first communion.
The words of institution
This is how Paul and the Gospels describe the last meal.
-
The LORD Jesus at night, when he was betrayed, took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said: Take and eat; this is my body, which will be broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:23b-24Bread
-
In the same way, after the Lord’s Supper, he took the cup and said: This cup is the new covenant in my blood; whenever you drink from it, do this in remembrance of me.
-
But as they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body.
Matthew 26:26BreadTable prayer
-
And he took the cup and gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which will be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:27-28WineForgiveness
-
And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:19BreadFirst communion
-
In the same way, after the Lord’s Supper, he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be poured out for you.
-
Truly, I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.
Mark 14:25Kingdom of God
What the Lord’s Supper means
Verses about fellowship, forgiveness, and remembrance.
-
For as often as you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you proclaim the death of the LORD until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:26ReturnFirst communion
-
Is not the blessed cup, which we bless, the fellowship of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread we break the fellowship of the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16FellowshipBlood
-
For there is one bread, and we, though many, are one body, because we all partake of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 10:17UnityFirst communion
-
But let each person examine himself, and then eat of this bread and drink from this cup.
1 Corinthians 11:28Confession of sins
-
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger; and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
John 6:35I am sayingsFirst communion
-
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
John 6:54Eternal life
-
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
John 6:56God’s presence
-
But they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayer.
Acts 2:42FellowshipPentecost
-
And he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.”
Revelation 19:9aHeavenBeatitudes
-
I will take the cup of salvation and preach the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:13Thankfulness
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related topics
This goes well with it
At the Lord’s Supper, we remember the cross. These four pieces carry exactly this message: “It is finished”—it is done.
Too good to be true? - Boxy T-ShirtBoxy T-Shirt with the question “Too good to be true?”—a conversation starter about the Gospel.€38
It is finished - Poster“It is finished”—Jesus’ last words on the cross as a poster.€10
Cross - SocksWhite socks with an embroidered cross, understated and clear.€12
Cross - Trucker CapTrucker cap with a cross—a small daily confession.€30
Where the words of institution come from
The words spoken at the Lord’s Supper in worship services are the oldest written accounts of Jesus’ last meal: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 was written by Paul only about 25 years after Jesus’ death. Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe the same meal on the night before the crucifixion, when Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. Bread and wine take on a new meaning: body and blood, given for us.
Fellowship at the Lord’s table
The Lord’s Supper is not only remembrance, but also fellowship—with Christ and with one another. 1 Corinthians 10:17 sums it up: “For there is one bread, and we, though many, are one body.” John 6 connects the meal with Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life.” And Revelation 19:9 looks forward to the great feast at the end of time. You can find more verses about the table at Bible verses about bread and Bible verses about fellowship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the words of institution for the Lord’s Supper found?
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, and Luke 22:19-20. In Protestant liturgy, a combination of Paul and the Gospels is usually spoken.
What is the difference between the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist?
They refer to the same celebration. “Lord’s Supper” is the usual Protestant term, while “Eucharist” (Greek for thanksgiving) is the Catholic term. The denominations understand some things differently—for example, how Christ is present in the bread and wine.
