And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus emphasizes that His body is "being given" for us right now, not just as a future event, but as an ongoing act of sacrifice in His will. He also calls us to perform this ritual as "His memorial," a sacred act to keep Him alive in our hearts, connecting it to ancient religious observances of remembrance.
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, a meal rich with history and meaning for Jewish people. He's about to go through His suffering and death, and in the midst of this final meal together, He institutes a new observance that will replace and fulfill the Passover. This moment marks the transition from the old covenant signified by the Passover lamb to the new covenant established by His own sacrifice.
Jesus institutes a meal that's more than just a history lesson. It's an active remembrance that brings His sacrifice into the present.
When Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance of me," the Greek word used (anamnesis) is richer than simply remembering a past event. It carries the sense of bringing something present to mind, making it a living memorial. Think of it like a national memorial that doesn't just remind you of history, but connects you to the meaning and impact of that history today.
This isn't just about recalling Jesus' death; it's about experiencing its ongoing reality and power in our lives. It’s a way for His sacrifice to be actively present and effective for us as we partake.
Jesus didn't just point to a future death; He declared His body was in the act of being given. What does this mean for the meal?
The phrase "which is given for you" in Luke's account is powerful. The original Greek suggests an ongoing action – "which is now in the act of being given." This means Jesus' sacrifice wasn't just a future event for His disciples to remember; it was already in motion in His heart and will at that very moment.
This adds incredible depth to the Lord's Supper. As they ate the bread, they were participating in a meal where the sacrifice was already symbolically in progress. It underlines that Jesus' willingness to give His life was fully present, even as He instituted this sacred meal.
Understand the original words
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sōma · Greek Noun
The physical flesh and life of the human person, which Jesus identifies as the sacrifice offered up on behalf of His followers for the forgiveness of sins.
anamnēsis · Greek Noun
An act of calling to mind or bringing into focus the past saving acts of God; in the context of the Lord's Supper, it is a covenantal memorial of Christ’s sacrifice.
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper during the Passover, intentionally repurposing a familiar memorial of deliverance from physical bondage into a new ritual remembering His sacrifice for spiritual liberation.
c. AD 30— this verse
The Last Passover Meal
Jesus and his disciples gathered for their final Passover observance, a significant Jewish festival commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt. This meal held deep symbolic meaning, preparing the way for a new covenant.
c. AD 30
Institution of the Lord's Supper
During the Passover meal, Jesus instituted a new ritual, using the bread and wine to symbolize his own body and blood that would be sacrificed for humanity's redemption.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified shortly after the Last Supper. His death fulfilled the prophecy of a suffering servant and established the new covenant.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
The Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian church about their practices, including the Lord's Supper, providing one of the earliest written accounts and theological interpretations of the institution.
Paul directly references Jesus giving the bread and cup, emphasizing that 'whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes,' echoing the 'do this in remembrance of me' command.
Exodus 12:14This verse establishes the Passover as a perpetual ordinance, 'a memorial' for Israel's deliverance, providing a rich context for Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper as a new, more profound memorial.
John 6:51-56Jesus speaks about being the 'living bread that came down from heaven,' a concept that powerfully connects with the bread of the Lord's Supper symbolizing His body given for the life of the world.
Hebrews 10:3This passage speaks of sacrifices in the Old Testament being a 'reminder of sins' year after year, highlighting how the Lord's Supper serves as a continuous, vital reminder of Christ's singular, atoning sacrifice.
barnesLuke 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."
See the notes at Matthew 26:26-28 .
ellicottLuke 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."
(19, 20) He took bread, and gave thanks. —See Notes on Matthew 26:26-28 ; Mark 14:22-25 . The other two reports give “He blessed,” instead of “He gave thanks.” There is, of course, no real difference between them. Thanksgiving and blessing both entered into what we may call the Jewish “Grace,” and were so far convertible terms. It is n…
Jesus emphasizes that His body is "being given" for us right now, not just as a future event, but as an ongoing act of sacrifice in His will. He also calls us to perform this ritual as "His memorial," a sacred act to keep Him alive in our hearts, connecting it to ancient religious observances of remembrance.
Jesus is celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, a meal rich with history and meaning for Jewish people. He's about to go through His suffering and death, and in the midst of this final meal together, He institutes a new observance that will replace and fulfill the Passover. This moment marks the transition from the old covenant signified by the Passover lamb to the new covenant established by His own sacrifice.
Jesus is celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, a meal rich with history and meaning for Jewish people. He's about to go through His suffering and death, and in the midst of this final meal together, He institutes a new observance that will replace and fulfill the Passover. This moment marks the transition from the old covenant signified by the Passover lamb to the new covenant established by His own sacrifice.
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”" — Jesus emphasizes that His body is "being given" for us right now, not just as a future event, but as an ongoing act of sacrifice in His will. He also calls us to perform this ritual as "His memorial,…
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Last reviewed October 2026