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 11:24KJV
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1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“remembrance” Greek G364 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
  • Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

“brake” Greek G2806 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
  • Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

“thanks” Greek G2168 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
  • Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

“me” Greek G1699 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
  • John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,