For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23KJV
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1 Corinthians 11:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 11:23 mean?

1 Corinthians 11:23 means that Paul is reminding the Corinthian Christians that the instructions he gave them about the Lord’s Supper did not come from his own ideas, but were passed on directly from Jesus himself. Paul says that on the very night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus took bread and began what Christians now call Communion.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing confusion and problems about how they were celebrating the Lord’s Supper. By saying he “received of the Lord,” Paul emphasizes that this teaching has the highest authority. The mention of “the same night in which he was betrayed” highlights the seriousness and timing of Jesus’ actions, connecting this tradition directly to the events leading up to Jesus’ death.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 11:23

  • παρέλαβον (parelabon, “received”): This word means to take or receive something handed over, often used for receiving a tradition or teaching. Paul is stressing that he did not invent this practice; he received it as a sacred trust.
  • παρέδωκα (paredōka, “delivered”): This word means to hand over or pass on, the same root as “betrayed” later in the verse. Paul is saying he faithfully passed on what he received, just as it was given to him.
  • ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ᾗ παρεδίδετο (en tē nykti hē paredideto, “the same night in which he was betrayed”): The word for “betrayed” (παρεδίδετο, paredideto) is the same word used for “delivered,” linking Judas’ act of betrayal with the idea of handing over something important. This connection adds weight to the moment Jesus chose to establish this practice.

Why 1 Corinthians 11:23 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the Lord’s Supper is not just a church tradition, but something rooted in Jesus’ own actions and instructions, giving it special importance for Christians.
  • Paul’s careful wording shows that the way Christians remember Jesus’ death is meant to follow Jesus’ own example, not personal preferences or local customs.
  • The link between Jesus’ betrayal and the institution of the Lord’s Supper highlights the depth of Jesus’ love and the gravity of the events remembered in Communion.

Where else these words appear

“received” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
  • Acts 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

“night” Greek G3571 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
  • Luke 21:37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
  • Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

“bread” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“delivered” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
  • John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.