1 Corinthians 11:23
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Paul emphasizes that this isn't just his idea; he received this account directly from the Lord. He's a faithful messenger, passing down something crucial that happened on the very night Jesus was arrested, highlighting the profound significance of that moment.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' misuse of the Lord's Supper, a sacred meal meant to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice. He's about to lay out the proper way to partake, reminding them of the very origins of this practice as instituted by Jesus himself the night before his crucifixion. This sets the stage for him to detail Jesus taking bread and breaking it, a foundational moment in Christian worship.
Did the early church just 'come up with' the Lord's Supper? This verse points to something far more profound.
Paul emphasizes that the practice of the Lord's Supper didn't originate with him or the apostles. He received it directly 'from the Lord.' This means Jesus himself instituted this sacred meal. It's not a human invention or a cultural adaptation, but a divine command and remembrance passed down with authority. The 'night when he was betrayed' highlights the profound love and sacrifice at its core, even in the face of betrayal.
Why does Paul specifically mention 'the night when he was betrayed' when describing the Lord's Supper?
The timing of the institution is incredibly significant. Jesus established this meal on the very night he was arrested, knowing Judas would betray him and Peter would deny him. This wasn't a casual decision; it was a deliberate act of love in the shadow of immense suffering and abandonment. The bread, therefore, is not just a symbol of his body, but a reminder of his willingness to go through betrayal and death for us, all while showing steadfast love.
Understand the original words
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paredideto · Greek Verb
To deliver up, specifically used of Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities; it implies an act of treachery or betrayal within a relationship.
The Lord's Supper, a central Christian sacrament, was instituted by Jesus himself just before his crucifixion, and the Apostle Paul's teaching about it in 1 Corinthians 11 is a direct transmission of that foundational event to the early church.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Instituted the Lord's Supper
During his last Passover meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus shared bread and wine, instructing them to repeat the action in remembrance of him and his atoning sacrifice.
c. AD 30-50
Early Church Spreads
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the gospel, leading to the rapid growth of the Christian church throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 48-50
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent about eighteen months in Corinth, establishing a diverse Christian community that faced numerous internal challenges and divisions.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul penned this letter to address the serious issues and doctrinal misunderstandings that had arisen within the Corinthian church, including disputes over worship practices.
This passage from Luke provides the parallel account of Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper, highlighting that the tradition Paul is referencing originated directly from Jesus himself.
Mark 14:22Mark's Gospel also recounts the Last Supper, emphasizing Jesus' action of taking bread and giving thanks, underscoring the foundational act of this sacred meal.
John 13:1John's Gospel, while not detailing the institution of the supper itself, describes Jesus' actions before his betrayal, setting the scene for the profound events of that final night.
1 Corinthians 10:16Paul further elaborates on the meaning of the Lord's Supper, connecting the cup and the bread to fellowship with Christ and his body, enriching the understanding of this foundational verse.
Paul emphasizes that this isn't just his idea; he received this account directly from the Lord. He's a faithful messenger, passing down something crucial that happened on the very night Jesus was arrested, highlighting the profound significance of that moment.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' misuse of the Lord's Supper, a sacred meal meant to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice. He's about to lay out the proper way to partake, reminding them of the very origins of this practice as instituted by Jesus himself the night before his crucifixion. This sets the stage for him to detail Jesus taking bread and breaking it, a foundational moment in Christian worship.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' misuse of the Lord's Supper, a sacred meal meant to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice. He's about to lay out the proper way to partake, reminding them of the very origins of this practice as instituted by Jesus himself the night before his crucifixion. This sets the stage for him to detail Jesus taking bread and breaking it, a foundational moment in Christian worship.
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread," — Paul emphasizes that this isn't just his idea; he received this account directly from the Lord. He's a faithful messenger, passing down something crucial that happened on the very night Jesus was…
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Last reviewed October 2026
