Communion is more than just a ritual—it’s a profound spiritual experience that connects believers to the sacrifice and love of Christ.
Throughout the Bible, there are verses that illuminate the deep meaning of this sacred act, providing guidance, reflection, and a sense of unity among Christians.
In this post, we’ll explore key Bible verses that reveal the heart of communion. From its origins in the Last Supper to its enduring significance in modern worship, these scriptures offer rich insights.
Whether you’re preparing for a communion service or seeking personal reflection, these powerful verses will deepen your understanding of this holy sacrament. Let’s dive into the Bible’s timeless wisdom on communion.
Top 23 Communion Verses In The Bible
1. 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.’”
This verse highlights the institution of communion during the Last Supper.
Jesus gives the disciples bread as a symbol of His body, urging them to partake in remembrance of His sacrifice. It’s a powerful reminder of the physical suffering Christ endured on behalf of humanity.
2. 1 Corinthians 11:24
“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 this passage, Paul echoes Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, emphasizing the importance of remembering Christ’s sacrifice.
The breaking of bread is symbolic of Jesus’ broken body, pointing to His love and willingness to suffer for our sins. Communion becomes an act of gratitude and reflection on His immense gift.
3. John 6:35
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”
Here, Jesus describes Himself as the “bread of life,” connecting deeply with the spiritual significance of communion. Through this metaphor, He explains that He is the source of eternal sustenance for the soul. Taking communion reminds believers that Jesus satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal life.
4. Matthew 26:26
“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.’”
This verse captures the moment when Jesus introduces the bread as His body.
By giving His disciples bread, Jesus creates a powerful symbol of His forthcoming death. Communion thus serves as a tangible reminder of Christ’s sacrificial love and the unity shared among believers.
5. 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?”
Paul encourages believers to see communion as a participation in the life and death of Christ. By partaking in the bread and wine, Christians symbolically share in Jesus’ body and blood. This act draws believers closer to Christ, fostering spiritual unity within the body of Christ.
6. John 6:53
“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.’”
This verse emphasizes the essential nature of communion in the Christian faith. Jesus stresses that participating in His body and blood through communion is necessary for spiritual life. By taking communion, believers symbolically accept His sacrifice and gain eternal life.
7. 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.”
In this verse, Paul explains the significance of communion as a proclamation of Christ’s death. Every time believers partake in the bread and cup, they remember and declare the redemptive work of Jesus. This ongoing remembrance helps keep the sacrifice of Christ central to Christian worship.
8. Mark 14:22
“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.’”
Mark’s account of the Last Supper reinforces the symbolic meaning of the bread as Jesus’ body. As He blesses and breaks the bread, Jesus reveals the sacrificial nature of His mission. Communion commemorates this moment, offering believers a way to connect deeply with Christ’s sacrifice.
9. Acts 2:42
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
This verse shows how the early church practiced communion as part of their regular worship. The “breaking of bread” refers to both a meal and the Lord’s Supper, symbolizing unity and devotion. Communion, therefore, becomes a regular practice for remembering Christ and fostering community.
10. John 6:56
“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”
Jesus teaches that communion is a means of abiding in Him. By consuming the bread and wine, believers experience spiritual closeness with Christ. This ongoing relationship nourishes the soul, emphasizing the importance of regularly participating in communion to remain connected to Christ.
11. Matthew 26:27-28
“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.’”
In this passage, Jesus introduces the wine as a symbol of His blood. The reference to the new covenant signifies the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity. Through communion, believers remember the forgiveness of sins made possible through Christ’s shed blood.
12. Luke 24:30
“When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.”
After His resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples through the breaking of bread. This action serves as a powerful reminder of His presence, even after His death. Communion allows believers to experience Christ’s presence in a tangible way, reminding them of His resurrection and life.
13. 1 Corinthians 11:28
“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of self-examination before taking communion. It’s a moment for believers to reflect on their spiritual condition and relationship with Christ. This practice of introspection ensures that communion is taken with the right heart and mindset, deepening its significance.
14. John 6:51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
In this verse, Jesus proclaims Himself as the “living bread” who offers eternal life. His sacrifice on the cross is symbolized by the bread, which is His flesh. Taking communion connects believers to this promise of eternal life through faith in His redemptive work.
15. Acts 20:7
“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”
This verse demonstrates how the early church regularly gathered to break bread, symbolizing their commitment to communion. The act of breaking bread together was central to their worship and fellowship. Communion, even today, serves as a unifying practice that brings believers together in remembrance of Christ.
16. Exodus 12:14
“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”
This Old Testament passage refers to the Passover, a precursor to communion. The feast served as a memorial for the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, just as communion now serves as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. The connection between Passover and communion highlights God’s ongoing deliverance of His people.
17. Psalm 34:8
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Although not directly related to communion, this verse speaks to experiencing the goodness of God. Communion allows believers to “taste and see” God’s goodness through the symbols of Christ’s body and blood. It serves as a reminder of God’s provision and grace through Jesus.
18. 1 Corinthians 5:7
“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Paul refers to Christ as the Passover lamb, directly linking the Old Testament ritual to Jesus’ sacrifice. Just as the Passover lamb was slain for deliverance, Christ’s death brings salvation. Communion celebrates this fulfillment of the Passover, inviting believers to partake in the freedom He provides.
19. Hebrews 9:22
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
This verse underscores the necessity of bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins. In communion, the wine represents the blood of Christ, shed for humanity’s redemption. By partaking, believers acknowledge the profound cost of their forgiveness and the power of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
20. Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Though not a direct reference to communion, this verse emphasizes the invitation to fellowship with Christ. Communion is an act of opening one’s heart to Jesus, inviting Him to dwell within. It symbolizes the intimacy believers can experience with Christ through this sacred act.
21. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah’s prophecy foreshadows the suffering of Christ, which is remembered in communion. The bread and wine symbolize the wounds and bloodshed of Jesus, which bring spiritual healing and peace. Through communion, believers reflect on this sacrificial act and the redemption it offers.
22. Romans 6:5
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Communion represents unity with Christ in both His death and resurrection. As believers partake in communion, they share in His death, but also in the hope of eternal life. This verse reminds Christians that through communion, they embrace the full scope of Christ’s redemptive work.
23. Colossians 1:20
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
This verse speaks to the reconciling power of Christ’s blood, a theme central to communion. The wine, symbolizing His blood, represents the peace and reconciliation made possible through the cross. In communion, believers celebrate this peace and their restored relationship with God.
Conclusion
Communion is a profound and sacred practice rooted in Scripture, reminding believers of Christ’s sacrifice and love. The verses explored in this post offer deep insights into the spiritual significance of the bread and cup, reflecting on Jesus’ body and blood given for our redemption.
By regularly participating in communion, Christians not only honor Christ’s death but also affirm the hope of eternal life through Him. The act serves as both a personal reflection and a communal bond among believers.
Through these powerful verses, we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of this vital sacrament in the Christian faith.
