Short answer: In Luke 22:19–20, Jesus instituted communion to create a lasting memorial of his sacrificial death. By identifying the bread with his body and the cup with his blood of the new covenant, he established a tangible way for his followers to remember his atoning work. This act points backward to his crucifixion and forward to the future fulfillment of God's kingdom.
The last supper as a transformed Passover meal
Jesus shared this meal with his disciples during Passover, a time when Jews remembered God’s rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The bread and wine were already part of the Passover ritual, but Jesus gave them new meaning. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is given for you.’ Similarly, he took the cup and called it ‘the new covenant in my blood.’ By redefining these elements, Jesus shifted the focus from Egypt’s deliverance to his own sacrifice, which would bring a greater rescue from sin and death.
This moment was deeply intentional. Jesus chose the Passover meal, a time of communal remembrance, to establish a new practice for his followers. He instructed them to ‘do this in memory of me,’ linking the meal to his impending death. The setting underscores the significance of his actions: it was his last meal before the cross, making his words a final testament. By using familiar symbols, Jesus ensured his disciples would remember him every time they gathered for this meal, creating a lasting connection between his sacrifice and their communal worship.
The literary structure highlights the contrast between Jesus’ self-giving and Judas’ betrayal. Immediately after instituting communion, Jesus pointed out that ‘the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.’ This juxtaposition underscores the gravity of Jesus’ sacrifice: even as he offered his body and blood for his disciples, one of them was plotting his death. The setting, symbols, and timing all work together to show Jesus’ deliberate act of redefining Passover, pointing to his death as the ultimate act of deliverance and covenant faithfulness.
Jesus’ body and blood establish a new covenant
When Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, he declared, “This is my body which is given for you.” This phrase highlights his voluntary sacrifice. The bread symbolized his body, offered willingly for the disciples and all who would follow him. The phrase “given for you” emphasizes the personal nature of this act, Jesus’ death was not accidental but purposeful, intended to bring life and redemption. This moment was not just about the bread but about pointing to the greater reality of his impending death, where his body would be broken to restore humanity’s relationship with God.
Jesus also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Here, he invoked the promise of a new covenant foretold in Jeremiah 31, where God would write his law on human hearts. By linking his blood to this covenant, Jesus showed that his death would seal a renewed relationship between God and his people. The pouring out of his blood symbolized the cost of this covenant, his life given as a sacrifice to forgive sins and bring reconciliation.
Finally, Jesus instructed his disciples, “Do this in memory of me.” This command established a practice of remembrance tied to his redemptive work. Communion was not meant to be a mere ritual but a way to continually reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and its meaning for believers. By sharing the bread and cup, the disciples, and later the church, would remember his body given and blood poured out, proclaiming his death until he returns. This act of remembrance keeps the focus on Jesus’ unique role in God’s plan of salvation.
Communion as a memorial of Christ's sacrifice
Jesus introduces communion during the Passover meal, a time when Jews remembered God's rescue from Egypt. Yet he transforms the familiar symbols. Taking bread, he gives thanks, breaks it, and says, “This is my body which is given for you.” His words shift the focus from Israel's deliverance to his own impending death. The bread, once a reminder of haste and provision, now points to Christ's body broken for his people. This act redefines remembrance, linking it not to an ancient event but to the sacrifice that will secure eternal deliverance.
The cup carries similar weight. After supper, Jesus takes it and declares, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Here, he connects his death to the promise of a new covenant foretold in Jeremiah 31. His blood, poured out, becomes the seal of this covenant, offering forgiveness and relationship with God. The cup, like the bread, becomes a lasting symbol, not of past rescue but of present grace and future hope, rooted in his sacrifice.
Communion also unfolds in a tense setting. Even as Jesus gives himself in the bread and cup, he acknowledges Judas' presence: “The hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.” This contrast highlights the two responses to Christ, self-giving and betrayal. Yet Jesus moves forward with his mission, saying, “The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined.” Communion, then, stands as a memorial not only of his sacrifice but also of his unwavering commitment to fulfill God's plan, despite betrayal and suffering.
The meal proclaims Christ's death until he comes
Jesus transforms the Passover meal by linking the bread directly to his body given for the disciples. The act of breaking and sharing bread, familiar from daily meals, now carries the weight of his coming sacrifice. His command to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19) makes the meal a recurring proclamation, not just a one-time event. The text doesn't explain how he is present in the elements, but the focus stays on active remembrance, calling to mind his self-giving death. The meal's power comes from what it represents, not from any change in the bread itself.
The cup introduces the new covenant, sealed with Christ's blood like the old covenant was sealed with sacrifices (Luke 22:20). His language echoes Exodus 24, where Moses sprinkled blood to confirm Israel's bond with God. Now Jesus declares his death as the foundation of a renewed relationship. Some debate whether the wine must be alcoholic or how often to share the cup, but the text emphasizes its meaning: participation in Christ's sacrifice. The shared cup signals unity, even as Jesus warns of betrayal at the same table, showing communion doesn't automatically secure anyone's standing before God.
The text sets boundaries: this meal isn't magic, but neither is it empty ritual. Jesus ties it to his personal sacrifice (“given for you”) and return ('until God's Kingdom comes,' Luke 22:18). Disagreements about Christ's presence shouldn't overshadow the core, proclaiming his death as the source of life. Whether one sees the elements as symbols or means of grace, all agree they point beyond themselves to the cross. The meal's power lies in faithful remembrance, not in perfect theology about how bread and wine function. It's a gift to receive, not a problem to solve.
Jesus institutes a new covenant in his blood
In Luke 22:19–20, Jesus takes bread and wine during the Passover meal and gives them new meaning. The bread, broken and shared, points to his body given for his disciples. The wine, poured out, represents his blood shed for them. These actions are not mere symbols but profound declarations of his sacrificial death. Jesus positions himself as the true Passover lamb, whose life is offered to deliver others from judgment. This moment fulfills the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31, where God would write his law on hearts and forgive sins through a decisive act of grace.
Jesus’ words emphasize that his death is purposeful and substitutionary. When he says, ‘This is my body which is given for you’ (Luke 22:19), he highlights the voluntary nature of his sacrifice. The bread and wine are tangible reminders of his brokenness and poured-out life. These elements connect his disciples to his impending death, assuring them that his suffering is for their benefit. Jesus’ death is not accidental but intentional, a fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan to reconcile sinners to himself through the gift of his Son.
The new covenant, sealed by Jesus’ blood, transforms the relationship between God and his people. In Luke 22:20, Jesus declares, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.’ His blood replaces the sacrifices of the old covenant, offering forgiveness and lasting peace. This covenant is not based on human effort but on Christ’s finished work. Through communion, Jesus invites his disciples to remember his sacrifice and live in its light. His death becomes the foundation of their hope, assuring them of God’s faithfulness and the promise of eternal life in his kingdom.
Communion as a call to remembrance and faithfulness
When Jesus shared the bread and cup with his disciples, he gave them a tangible way to remember his sacrifice. The bread, he said, represented his body given for them, and the cup symbolized the new covenant sealed by his blood. This act wasn’t a ritual to perform mechanically but a gift to receive with gratitude. Every time believers partake in communion, they are invited to reflect on Christ’s death and its meaning for their lives. It’s a moment to pause, to consider the cost of salvation, and to renew our dependence on Jesus’ finished work.
Communion also calls us to examine our faithfulness. Jesus’ words about betrayal remind us that even those closest to him could fall short. As we take the bread and cup, we’re prompted to ask honest questions: Are we living in alignment with Christ’s mission? Are there areas where we’ve betrayed his trust or neglected his calling? This self-examination isn’t about guilt but about turning back to Jesus in repentance and reliance. It’s a time to reaffirm our commitment to follow him wholeheartedly.
Finally, communion points us forward to the hope of Christ’s return. Jesus said he wouldn’t drink the fruit of the vine again until God’s Kingdom comes. Each time we share the cup, we’re reminded that this world is not our final home. We’re invited to anticipate the day when Jesus will return and make all things new. This hope binds the church together, uniting us in a shared story of redemption and a shared future in God’s Kingdom. Communion isn’t just about looking back; it’s about looking ahead with expectant faith.
Biblical fidelity check
This passage invites careful reading because it risks losing its historical and redemptive context if isolated from the Last Supper’s setting. Jesus’ words, “This is my body which is given for you” and “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,” point to his impending sacrifice and its covenantal significance. Missteps include focusing solely on the elements’ nature, whether symbolic or spiritually present, while neglecting their purpose: to remember and proclaim Christ’s death. Another risk is overlooking the communal aspect of “share it among yourselves,” which ties the act to the unity of believers.
Evangelicals disagree on how Christ is present in communion and how often it should be observed, but all agree it is a means of grace. The text emphasizes remembrance (“Do this in memory of me”) and proclamation (“the new covenant in my blood”), not defining precise theological mechanics. What stays central is that communion commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice, anticipates his return, and unites believers in proclaiming his death until he comes. The focus remains on Christ’s redemptive act, not the elements themselves.
Following the theme of Luke 22:19-20 through Scripture
To deepen your understanding of communion, explore Luke 22: Betrayal, Last Supper, and Prayer Jesus’ last supper in Matthew 26:26–29, Luke 1: Births Foretold and Songs of Praise Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Luke 11: Prayer, Light, and Woes the significance of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31–34, and Luke 12: Fear, Treasure, and Readiness the role of remembrance in Deuteronomy 6:4–9.
Frequently asked questions
What did Jesus mean by “this is my body”?
When Jesus said “this is my body,” he was using symbolic language to connect the bread with his imminent sacrifice. He was not suggesting a literal transformation but emphasizing that the bread represented his body, which would be given for his followers. This act invited them to remember his self-giving love and the purpose of his death.
Why did Jesus connect communion to the new covenant?
Jesus connected communion to the new covenant because his blood symbolized the fulfillment of God's promise to establish a renewed relationship with humanity. By calling the cup “the new covenant in my blood,” he highlighted that his death would inaugurate this covenant, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who trust in him.
How often should Christians take communion?
The Bible does not prescribe a specific frequency for taking communion. While Jesus instructed his followers to “do this in memory of me,” he left the timing open. Many churches observe communion regularly, often weekly or monthly, as a way to continually reflect on Christ's sacrifice and the unity of the body of believers.
