What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Communion?

The Bible presents communion, the Lord's Supper, as a sacred meal Jesus gave his followers to remember his death until he returns. Sharing bread and cup, believers proclaim that his body was broken and his blood shed for them, and they commune with him and one another. Christians understand its depths differently, but all treat it as a holy remembrance of the gospel.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on communion, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

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.Luke 22:19 (KJV)

This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)

Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV)

As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.Matthew 26:28 (KJV)

This is my blood of the new testament, shed for many for the remission of sins.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.1 Corinthians 11:28 (KJV)

Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.John 6:35 (KJV)

I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger.

What this means for you today

Communion is a gospel in miniature: broken bread and poured cup preaching Christ's death for us every time we share it. It looks back to the cross, up to the risen Lord, and forward to his return.

Scripture invites us to come thoughtfully, examining our hearts, but not fearfully; the table is for those who trust in Christ, not the perfect. Christians differ on exactly what happens in the meal, but all receive it as a holy remembrance and a means of grace.

The deepest answer is Jesus

At the table Jesus gives himself to us afresh, the bread of life broken so that we could be fed and forgiven; communion keeps the cross ever before our eyes.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: God's Will · God's Timing · Hearing God's Voice · Spiritual Growth · Assurance of Salvation · All topics