Luke 22:19 – “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus takes a piece of bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and distributes it to His disciples, saying that the bread represents His body, which will be given (or sacrificed) for them. This act marks the institution of what Christians now know as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Jesus is taking an ordinary element of the Passover meal and giving it new meaning.
The breaking of the bread symbolizes the suffering and death that Jesus will endure on the cross. His body will be “given” as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for sin. When Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me,” He is giving His followers a command to regularly remember His sacrifice and what it accomplished. The Lord’s Supper is meant to be a time of reflection, gratitude, and worship.
Historical Context
The Last Supper took place during the Jewish Passover, which was celebrated annually to commemorate God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). The meal included symbolic elements, such as unleavened bread and wine, that reminded participants of God’s past deliverance. By Jesus’ time, the Passover had taken on deep national and spiritual significance, representing both past salvation and the hope for future deliverance.
During the Passover meal, the bread was an important part of the ritual, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites had to leave Egypt—they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. But when Jesus took the bread and said, “This is my body,” He gave it a new meaning. No longer was the bread just a reminder of physical deliverance from Egypt—it now symbolized Jesus’ body, which would bring spiritual deliverance from sin and death.
This shift in meaning reflects the transition from the Old Covenant, based on the law and animal sacrifices, to the New Covenant, based on Jesus’ sacrifice.
Theological Implications
This verse is central to Christian theology because it introduces the new covenant and emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. When Jesus says, “This is my body given for you,” He is explaining that His death will be a substitutionary sacrifice. He will take the punishment for sin on behalf of humanity, fulfilling the role of the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah 53:5.
The phrase “do this in remembrance of me” is a command for believers to continually reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. This remembrance is not just a mental exercise—it’s a spiritual act of worship. When Christians participate in Communion, they are remembering what Jesus did for them, proclaiming His death, and looking forward to His return (1 Corinthians 11:26).
The breaking of the bread also symbolizes the communal nature of the Christian faith. Just as the disciples shared the bread, believers are united in Christ and share in the blessings of His sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper is not just an individual act—it is a shared experience that reminds believers of their unity as members of the body of Christ.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s description of Jesus taking, blessing, breaking, and giving the bread is structured to highlight the significance of each action. The sequence mirrors earlier moments in Jesus’ ministry, such as when He fed the 5,000 (Luke 9:16). This repetition shows that Jesus’ actions are intentional and meaningful.
The phrase “this is my body given for you” is rich in symbolism. The bread is an ordinary, everyday item, but Jesus transforms its meaning to represent His extraordinary sacrifice. The act of breaking the bread underscores the physical suffering that Jesus will endure on the cross.
The command to “do this in remembrance of me” suggests that this moment is not just for the disciples present at the table but for all future believers. Luke’s narrative invites readers to see themselves as participants in the ongoing practice of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 12:1-14 – The original Passover, where the Israelites ate unleavened bread as part of God’s deliverance.
- Isaiah 53:5 – The prophecy of the suffering servant, who was “pierced for our transgressions.”
- John 6:35 – Jesus refers to Himself as the “bread of life,” pointing to His role as the source of spiritual nourishment and life.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Paul’s instructions on observing the Lord’s Supper, emphasizing remembrance and proclamation of Jesus’ death.
- Hebrews 10:10 – Jesus’ body was offered once and for all to sanctify believers and provide complete forgiveness of sins.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse is a reminder of the centrality of Jesus’ sacrifice. The bread represents His body, broken for the forgiveness of sins, and the command to “do this in remembrance of me” calls believers to regularly reflect on what Jesus has done.
Participating in the Lord’s Supper is a time of personal reflection, repentance, and gratitude. It’s an opportunity to remember that salvation is a gift, not something earned through good works. The bread is a symbol of grace—it reminds believers that Jesus’ body was broken so that they could be made whole.
This verse also highlights the importance of Christian community. Just as the disciples shared the bread, believers today share in the blessings of salvation and are called to live in unity as members of the body of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember not only what Jesus did for individuals but also what He did for the entire church.
Additionally, the act of remembrance points forward to Jesus’ return. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” The Lord’s Supper is both a remembrance of the past and a hopeful anticipation of the future.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is demonstrated in this verse through His willingness to give His Son as a sacrifice for sin. The phrase “given for you” highlights the personal nature of Jesus’ sacrifice—it wasn’t just for humanity in general; it was for each individual believer. This reflects the depth of God’s love, which is both personal and sacrificial.
The act of breaking the bread also shows that God’s love is costly. Salvation didn’t come without a price—Jesus’ body was broken, and He endured suffering and death to make forgiveness possible. God’s love is not just a feeling—it’s an action that was demonstrated through the cross.
This verse also reflects God’s desire for relationship. The command to “do this in remembrance of me” shows that God doesn’t want a distant or impersonal relationship with His people. He invites believers to regularly come to the table, remember His sacrifice, and experience His presence.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the central figure in this verse, and His actions and words reveal His role as the Savior who fulfills God’s plan of redemption. The bread symbolizes His body, which will be broken on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. His statement, “given for you,” emphasizes that His sacrifice is intentional and personal—He willingly lays down His life for His followers (John 10:18).
This verse also connects to Jesus’ identity as the “bread of life” (John 6:35). Just as physical bread sustains life, Jesus’ sacrifice provides spiritual nourishment and eternal life. His command to “do this in remembrance of me” ties His death to the ongoing practice of Communion, where believers continue to remember and proclaim His sacrifice until He returns.
The breaking of the bread also foreshadows Jesus’ suffering, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. His body will be broken so that believers can be made whole, and His death will bring about the new covenant between God and His people.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does participating in the Lord’s Supper help you remember and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice?
- What does the phrase “given for you” teach you about the personal nature of Jesus’ love and sacrifice?
- How can you approach Communion with a heart of gratitude and repentance?
- In what ways does the Lord’s Supper remind you of your unity with other believers as members of the body of Christ?
- How does reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice strengthen your hope in His return and the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom?
This verse calls believers to remember the incredible gift of salvation through Jesus’ broken body. It’s a reminder of God’s love, grace, and the hope of eternal life, encouraging Christians to live with gratitude, unity, and anticipation for His return.