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 11:24KJVWhat does 1 Corinthians 11:24 mean?
1 Corinthians 11:24 describes Jesus, during his last meal with his disciples, giving thanks, breaking bread, and telling them to eat it as a symbol of his body, which would be given for them. He instructs them to repeat this act to remember him.
Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, recalling what Jesus did and said at the Last Supper. This verse sets the foundation for the Christian practice of communion, where believers eat bread together to remember Jesus’ sacrifice. The focus is on remembering Jesus and the meaning of his actions, not just the act itself.
The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 11:24
- εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō, "thanks"): This word means to give thanks or express gratitude. Its use here highlights that Jesus began the meal with a prayer of thanksgiving, which became central to Christian worship.
- κλάω (klaō, "brake"): This means to break, specifically breaking bread. The act of breaking the bread is a physical sign that represents Jesus’ body being given for others.
- ἀνάμνησις (anamnēsis, "remembrance"): This word means remembrance or memorial. Jesus’ instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" stresses that the act is meant to help his followers recall and reflect on him and his sacrifice.
Why 1 Corinthians 11:24 matters
- This verse clarifies that the bread is a symbol meant to help believers remember Jesus, not a magical or automatic ritual.
- It connects the act of communion directly to Jesus’ own words and actions, grounding the practice in his original intent.
- The verse emphasizes gratitude and remembrance, showing that the heart of Christian worship is recalling what Jesus has done, not just performing outward actions.