Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred practice in the Christian faith that commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the new covenant established through His death and resurrection. It is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance of Jesus’ body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of humanity with God. Here are 30 of the best Bible verses about Holy Communion, each followed by an 80-word commentary, to deepen our understanding of this sacred act.
Bible Verses For Holy Communion
1. Luke 22:19
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'”
In this verse, Jesus institutes the practice of Holy Communion during the Last Supper. The bread symbolizes His body, broken for the sake of humanity’s sins. Jesus invites us to take part in this sacred act to remember His sacrificial love and the cost of our salvation. Each time we participate, we reflect on His suffering and our redemption.
2. 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, after supper he took the cup.”
These verses recount Paul’s reminder to the Corinthian church about the importance of Communion. Paul echoes Jesus’ command to remember Him through the bread and wine, representing His body and blood. Holy Communion is not just a ritual but a deeply spiritual act that draws us into communion with Christ and reminds us of His sacrifice for our sins.
3. Matthew 26:26-28
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.'”
These verses detail Jesus’ actions during the Last Supper. The bread represents His body, given for the disciples and all believers. The cup of wine symbolizes His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. Holy Communion is a reminder that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are reconciled to God and share in His new covenant.
4. John 6:53-54
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.'”
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of partaking in Him spiritually through Holy Communion. His flesh and blood represent the life-giving power of His sacrifice. Communion is not just a symbolic act but a reminder that our spiritual life is nourished by Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s a call to live in continual reliance on His sacrifice.
5. 1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
This verse highlights the spiritual connection we experience during Holy Communion. By partaking in the bread and wine, we participate in the body and blood of Christ. It’s a moment of deep unity with Jesus and with other believers, reflecting on the shared salvation we have through His sacrifice. Communion unites us in Christ’s death and resurrection.
6. Mark 14:22-24
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.'”
Mark’s account of the Last Supper echoes the significance of the bread and wine as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood. This moment marks the establishment of the new covenant between God and humanity, sealed by Jesus’ sacrifice. Each time we take Communion, we remember and proclaim His death, celebrating the grace and forgiveness it brings.
7. Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
This verse highlights the early church’s commitment to the practice of breaking bread together, which includes sharing in Communion. Holy Communion was central to the believers’ fellowship, a way of remembering Christ’s sacrifice and uniting the church in faith and love. Communion remains a vital part of Christian worship, connecting us to the early church’s practices.
8. 1 Corinthians 11:26
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
This verse reminds us that Holy Communion is not only a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice but also a proclamation of His death and the hope of His return. Each time we take part in the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of Jesus’ victorious death and resurrection and the promise of His coming again to restore all things.
9. John 6:35
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
This verse speaks to the spiritual nourishment that Jesus provides. As the bread of life, He sustains and satisfies our deepest spiritual needs. Holy Communion serves as a tangible reminder of this truth, that Jesus is our source of life and sustenance. Through His sacrifice, we are filled with His grace, never lacking in what we need for spiritual growth.
10. Luke 24:30-31
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”
This verse recounts the moment when the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized the risen Christ in the breaking of bread. Holy Communion opens our spiritual eyes to see and experience Jesus in a deeper way. It’s a moment of revelation, where we encounter the living Christ through the symbols of His body and blood.
11. Exodus 12:14
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.”
This Old Testament verse refers to the Passover, which foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. Just as the Passover lamb was sacrificed to save the Israelites, Jesus became the Lamb of God. Holy Communion reflects the fulfillment of this promise, reminding us that through Jesus, we are saved and set free from the bondage of sin.
12. Hebrews 9:22
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
This verse emphasizes the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the law, and His blood brought about the ultimate atonement for humanity’s sins. In Communion, we remember His blood shed for our forgiveness, a powerful reminder of the price Jesus paid for our redemption.
13. Matthew 26:29
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
This verse points to the future hope of Communion. Jesus promises that He will celebrate the feast again in God’s kingdom, giving us hope for the future banquet with Him in eternity. Holy Communion not only reminds us of Christ’s past sacrifice but also fills us with anticipation of the heavenly feast we will one day share with Him.
14. 1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
This verse reminds us of the healing that comes through Jesus’ sacrifice. As we take Communion, we remember that Jesus bore our sins and gave His body to bring us healing—spiritual, emotional, and even physical. His wounds have provided the means for our restoration and wholeness, offering us a new life of righteousness.
15. Psalm 116:13
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
This verse beautifully connects the symbolism of the cup in Communion with the idea of salvation. When we partake in the cup of the Lord’s Supper, we are lifting up the cup of salvation, remembering the sacrifice that brought about our deliverance. Communion becomes a moment of thanksgiving and worship for the salvation we have received through Christ.
16. Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar.”
This Old Testament verse points to the importance of blood in making atonement. In the New Covenant, Jesus’ blood becomes the ultimate atonement for our sins. When we take Communion, we acknowledge that His blood was shed for our redemption, making us right with God and granting us eternal life.
17. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
This verse speaks to the suffering of Christ and the healing that His sacrifice brings. As we take Communion, we remember the physical and spiritual wounds Jesus endured for our sake. His suffering brought us peace with God, and His wounds have provided healing for our souls. Communion is a powerful reminder of this profound exchange.
18. John 1:29
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the world’s sin. In Communion, we acknowledge that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb, taking away our sin and guilt. Each time we partake, we celebrate the forgiveness and freedom that His sacrifice has secured for us.
19. 1 Corinthians 11:28
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
This verse encourages self-examination before participating in Holy Communion. It is a moment to reflect on our relationship with God, confess our sins, and approach the Lord’s table with a humble heart. Communion invites us to come to God with sincerity, acknowledging our need for His grace and the cleansing power of Jesus’ sacrifice.
20. Hebrews 10:10
“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
This verse reminds us that Jesus’ one-time sacrifice has made us holy. Holy Communion celebrates this truth: through His body, broken for us, we are sanctified and set apart for God. It’s a moment of gratitude and reflection, remembering that we are holy because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on our behalf.
21. 1 Corinthians 5:7
“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
This verse connects Jesus to the Passover lamb, sacrificed for our redemption. Communion is a celebration of this new covenant, where Christ’s blood has replaced the old sacrifices. We are now the “unleavened bread,” free from sin, because of Christ’s sacrifice. This verse invites us to remember our new identity in Him.
22. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
This verse emphasizes that our redemption comes through the blood of Jesus. As we drink the cup during Communion, we remember that it was His blood that secured our forgiveness. Communion is a celebration of God’s grace, poured out on us through the sacrifice of Jesus, redeeming us and restoring our relationship with God.
23. John 6:51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Jesus describes Himself as the living bread, given for the life of the world. Holy Communion is a reflection of this truth. When we eat the bread, we remember that Jesus gave His body to give us eternal life. Communion is a declaration of our faith in His sacrifice and our hope in the life He promises.
24. Hebrews 12:24
“To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This verse highlights Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, established through His blood. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. In Communion, we celebrate this new covenant, remembering that through Jesus’ blood, we are no longer condemned but justified before God.
25. 2 Corinthians 5:21
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This verse reminds us of the great exchange that took place on the cross. Jesus, who was sinless, took on our sin so that we could become righteous before God. As we partake in Communion, we reflect on this incredible gift, acknowledging that through His sacrifice, we have been made right with God.
26. Luke 22:20
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
Jesus establishes the new covenant in His blood during the Last Supper. This verse reminds us that Holy Communion is a celebration of this new covenant, where Jesus’ blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Each time we take Communion, we remember the cost of our salvation and the new life we have through Him.
27. Romans 6:4
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…we too may live a new life.”
This verse connects our new life with Christ’s death and resurrection. In Communion, we reflect on this reality: through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have died to sin and been raised to a new life. Communion is a reminder of our participation in His death and resurrection, and the new life we now live in Him.
28. Isaiah 53:4
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”
This verse reminds us of the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice. He took on our pain and suffering, bearing the weight of our sin. As we take Communion, we remember that Jesus willingly endured the cross for our sake, taking on the punishment we deserved to bring us peace and healing. His sacrifice is our salvation.
29. Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
This verse speaks to the spiritual hunger that Communion satisfies. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, Communion reminds us that Jesus is the source of our fulfillment. Through His body and blood, He fills us with His righteousness, satisfying our deepest spiritual needs and drawing us closer to Him.
30. Revelation 19:9
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'”
This verse points to the future fulfillment of Communion—the wedding supper of the Lamb. Holy Communion is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet we will one day share with Jesus. As we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of the hope of eternal life and the joy of being united with Christ in His kingdom forever.
These Bible verses offer a deeper understanding of the significance of Holy Communion. They remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made, the forgiveness and healing we receive, and the hope we have in His return. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we enter into a sacred moment of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of the grace and love of our Savior.
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