1 Corinthians 11:25
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Jesus doesn't just offer a new covenant; he declares this cup is the new covenant, making it a tangible symbol of God's promise of forgiveness and an intimate relationship with Him. The instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" is a command to actively participate in this covenant, continually returning to the profound sacrifice that makes it possible. It’s not a passive memorial, but a dynamic act of remembering that fuels our ongoing connection with God.
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is establishing the Lord's Supper with his disciples during their final Passover meal. This moment, right before his arrest and crucifixion, is packed with meaning as he uses bread and wine to symbolize his upcoming sacrifice and the new relationship God will forge with humanity through him. The instruction to repeat this ritual is a direct command to remember the profound significance of his death and resurrection.
Jesus transforms a common meal into a profound act of remembrance. What makes this cup so significant?
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, a pivotal moment that redefines the covenant relationship between God and humanity. He takes the cup, a symbol of shared life and agreement, and declares it to be the "new covenant in my blood."
Blood and Sacrifice
The shedding of blood was central to Old Testament covenants, symbolizing atonement and the seriousness of the agreement. Jesus elevates this, offering His own blood – the ultimate sacrifice – to establish a new and everlasting covenant. This isn't just a renewal; it's a complete transformation.
Remembrance and Identity
His command, "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me," turns the Lord's Supper into a recurring act of communal memory. It's a time to recall Jesus' sacrifice, His love, and the new life His covenant offers. This act anchors the identity of believers in Christ's finished work.
Jesus didn't just update an old agreement; He inaugurated something entirely new. What does this 'newness' mean for us?
The term 'new covenant' is revolutionary. It signifies a radical shift from the Old Covenant established at Sinai. While the Old Covenant was crucial, it was mediated by law and required continuous sacrifice, highlighting humanity's sin. It ultimately pointed forward to a greater reality.
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The New Covenant, sealed by Jesus' blood, is:
This newness isn't about discarding God's faithfulness but about the perfection and finality of Christ's work.
Understand the original words
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A solemn agreement or relationship established by God with His people, ratified by the shedding of blood; it signifies a new relationship based on grace and the finished work of Christ.
haima · Greek Noun
The vital, life-giving essence of a living being; in the context of the New Covenant, it represents the life of Christ poured out in His atoning death for the forgiveness of sins.
The command to remember Jesus in the Lord's Supper was given at the very last meal He shared with His disciples, establishing a profound connection between His sacrifice and the ongoing practice of the church.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Final Passover Meal
Jesus celebrated his last Passover meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, instituting the Lord's Supper during this pivotal event.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Celebrates Lord's Supper
The nascent Christian community began observing the Lord's Supper, a commemoration of Jesus' sacrifice and a celebration of the new covenant.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul traveled widely, establishing churches and teaching them the significance of the Lord's Supper and its proper observance.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
Writing from Ephesus, Paul addressed various issues within the Corinthian church, including disorders concerning their gatherings for the Lord's Supper.
This passage prophesies the 'new covenant' that Jesus is fulfilling and referencing here, showing the Old Testament anticipation of this very promise.
Luke 22:20This verse, from another Gospel account, echoes Jesus' words about the cup establishing the 'new covenant in my blood', reinforcing the significance of the Last Supper.
1 Corinthians 10:16Paul connects the cup of blessing at the Lord's Supper to communion with Christ, providing a foundational understanding for why remembering Him through this act is so crucial.
Hebrews 9:14This passage highlights how Christ's sacrifice, through the eternal Spirit, purifies our conscience, underscoring the cleansing power of the new covenant established by his blood.
Jesus doesn't just offer a new covenant; he declares this cup is the new covenant, making it a tangible symbol of God's promise of forgiveness and an intimate relationship with Him. The instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" is a command to actively participate in this covenant, continually returning to the profound sacrifice that makes it possible. It’s not a passive memorial, but a dynamic act of remembering that fuels our ongoing connection with God.
Jesus is establishing the Lord's Supper with his disciples during their final Passover meal. This moment, right before his arrest and crucifixion, is packed with meaning as he uses bread and wine to symbolize his upcoming sacrifice and the new relationship God will forge with humanity through him. The instruction to repeat this ritual is a direct command to remember the profound significance of his death and resurrection.
Jesus is establishing the Lord's Supper with his disciples during their final Passover meal. This moment, right before his arrest and crucifixion, is packed with meaning as he uses bread and wine to symbolize his upcoming sacrifice and the new relationship God will forge with humanity through him. The instruction to repeat this ritual is a direct command to remember the profound significance of his death and resurrection.
"In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”" — Jesus doesn't just offer a new covenant; he declares this cup is the new covenant, making it a tangible symbol of God's promise of forgiveness and an intimate relationship with Him. The instruction…
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Last reviewed October 2026
