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.

And {G2532} he took {G2983} bread {G740}, and gave thanks {G2168}, and brake {G2806} it, and {G2532} gave {G1325} unto them {G846}, saying {G3004}, This {G5124} is {G2076} my {G3450} body {G4983} which {G3588} is given {G1325} for {G5228} you {G5216}: this {G5124} do {G4160} in remembrance {G364} of {G1519} me {G1699}.

Also, taking a piece of matzah, he made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, “This is my body, which is being given for you; do this in memory of me.”

And He took the 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.”

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Context of Luke 22:19

Luke 22:19 is a pivotal verse, occurring during what is traditionally known as the Last Supper, a Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples just hours before His crucifixion. This event marks the institution of the Christian sacrament of communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper. The setting is a prepared upper room in Jerusalem, where Jesus gathered His twelve apostles to observe the ancient Passover feast, but transformed it into a prophetic act pointing to His ultimate sacrifice. This moment is echoed in other Gospel accounts (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25) and most significantly by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), underscoring its foundational importance to Christian practice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sacrificial Body of Christ: Jesus declares the bread to be "my body which is given for you." This powerfully symbolizes His impending physical suffering and death on the cross, a voluntary act of atonement for the sins of humanity. It highlights the ultimate sacrifice of His earthly life, leading to salvation for all who believe.
  • Remembrance and Continual Proclamation: The command, "This do in remembrance of me," establishes an enduring practice for believers. It's not merely a passive recollection but an active, corporate participation that recalls Christ's redemptive work and proclaims His death until He comes again. This act fosters gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to Christ.
  • Institution of the New Covenant: While the cup (symbolizing the blood of the covenant) is mentioned in the following verse (Luke 22:20), the breaking of the bread is intrinsically linked to the establishment of the New Covenant. This covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, replaces the Old Covenant made through Moses, offering forgiveness of sins and direct access to God through faith in Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Gave thanks" (Greek: eucharisteo): The Greek verb used here is eucharisteo, from which the term "Eucharist" (a common name for communion) is derived. It signifies profound gratitude and blessing, emphasizing that this meal is an act of thanksgiving to God for His provision and, more importantly, for the gift of His Son.
  • "In remembrance of me" (Greek: eis ten emen anamnesin): The phrase anamnesin implies more than just a mental recall. It suggests a "making present" or a re-enactment that brings the past event into the present reality, causing its impact to be felt anew. It's a dynamic, communal act of worship that connects believers across time to Christ's sacrifice.

Practical Application

Luke 22:19 calls believers to regularly participate in the Lord's Supper, not as a mere ritual, but as a profound spiritual exercise. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  1. Christ's Sacrifice for Us: It deepens our appreciation for the immense cost of our redemption and the immeasurable love of God.
  2. Our Identity in Christ: By partaking, we affirm our unity with Christ and with fellow believers, as we are all part of His body (1 Corinthians 12:27).
  3. Hope for His Return: As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:26, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." This practice reinforces our anticipation of Christ's glorious second coming.

Therefore, this verse encourages a life of gratitude, remembrance, and active faith, continually drawing strength and meaning from the central act of Christian salvation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:29

    For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:16

    The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

  • Luke 22:20

    Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

  • Mark 14:22

    And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

  • Mark 14:24

    And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

  • Matthew 26:26

    ¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
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