Communion can feel like an empty ritual when you’re going through the motions without truly engaging with what it represents.
You take the bread, drink the cup, hear the familiar words, and wonder if you’re missing something deeper that other people seem to experience.
Maybe you’re distracted by everything happening in your life, or maybe you’ve participated so many times that the significance has dulled.
You want communion to be meaningful, to connect you to Jesus in a real way, but you’re not sure how to get past the routine to the relationship it’s supposed to signify.
What makes communion challenging is understanding what you’re actually doing.
Is it just symbolic remembrance, or is something more happening?
Should you feel a certain way?
Are you worthy to participate, given your ongoing struggles with sin?
The questions can create either anxiety that keeps you from receiving or apathy that makes participation feel pointless.
You know communion matters, that Jesus commanded it, but translating theological understanding into genuine spiritual encounter feels difficult.
These verses help you grasp what communion means, why Jesus instituted it, and how to participate in ways that honor Him and transform you.
Bible Verses for Communion
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – For I Received from the Lord
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 26:26-28 – While They Were Eating
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
New King James Version (NKJV)
3. John 6:53-56 – Jesus Said to Them
So Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
New International Version (NIV)
4. Luke 22:19-20 – And He Took Bread
Then he took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – Is Not the Cup of Thanksgiving
Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Mark 14:22-24 – And as They Were Eating
And as they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.”
New King James Version (NKJV)
7. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – So Then, Whoever Eats the Bread
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
New International Version (NIV)
8. Acts 2:42 – They Devoted Themselves
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
New King James Version (NKJV)
9. John 6:35 – Then Jesus Declared
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
10. 1 Corinthians 11:28 – Everyone Ought to Examine Themselves
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
New King James Version (NKJV)
11. Acts 20:7 – On the First Day of the Week
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
New International Version (NIV)
12. Hebrews 10:19-22 – Therefore, Brothers and Sisters
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
13. 1 Corinthians 10:21 – You Cannot Drink the Cup
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
14. Matthew 26:29 – But I Say to You
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.
New King James Version (NKJV)
15. John 6:48-51 – I Am the Bread of Life
I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
New International Version (NIV)
16. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 – Therefore Purge Out the Old Leaven
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
New King James Version (NKJV)
17. Luke 24:30-31 – When He Was at the Table
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
New International Version (NIV)
18. Exodus 12:14 – This Is a Day You Are to Commemorate
This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19. Hebrews 9:22 – And According to the Law
According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20. 1 Peter 1:18-19 – For You Know That It Was Not
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
New King James Version (NKJV)
21. Revelation 19:9 – Then the Angel Said to Me
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
New International Version (NIV)
22. Matthew 18:20 – For Where Two or Three Gather
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
New Living Translation (NLT)
23. Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, Therefore
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
24. Psalm 34:8 – Oh, Taste and See
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
New King James Version (NKJV)
25. John 13:34-35 – A New Command I Give You
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
New International Version (NIV)
26. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – Just as a Body
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
New Living Translation (NLT)
27. Colossians 3:16-17 – Let the Message of Christ Dwell
Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
28. Romans 8:34 – Who Then Is the One Who Condemns?
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
New King James Version (NKJV)
29. Ephesians 2:13-14 – But Now in Christ Jesus
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
New International Version (NIV)
30. Psalm 116:12-13 – What Can I Offer the Lord
What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
New Living Translation (NLT)
31. Hebrews 12:24 – To Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant
And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
32. Isaiah 53:5 – But He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
New King James Version (NKJV)
33. Romans 5:8-9 – But God Demonstrates His Own Love
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
New International Version (NIV)
34. Revelation 3:20 – Look! I Stand at the Door and Knock
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
New Living Translation (NLT)
35. 1 John 1:7 – But If We Walk in the Light
But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Communion
Communion is far more than a memorial service or empty ritual. It’s a proclamation of the gospel, a participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, and a physical reminder of spiritual realities.
When Jesus said “this is my body” and “this is my blood,” He was instituting a tangible way for believers to remember, to participate in, and to proclaim His sacrifice.
The bread and cup point backward to what He accomplished on the cross, inward to the need for self-examination, and forward to the coming wedding supper of the Lamb.
What makes communion powerful is that it engages multiple senses and connects physical actions with spiritual truth.
You taste and see that the Lord is good. You participate in something bigger than yourself as you share one bread with other believers, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ.
The command to examine yourself before partaking isn’t about being perfect but about approaching communion with awareness of sin, genuine repentance, and faith in Christ’s sufficient sacrifice.
The early church devoted itself to the breaking of bread alongside teaching, fellowship, and prayer. Communion wasn’t an occasional add-on but a regular practice that kept the gospel central.
Every time you participate, you’re proclaiming Christ’s death until He comes again, declaring that His sacrifice is sufficient and His return is certain.
Say This Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of communion and for what it represents. Thank You that Jesus gave His body to be broken and His blood to be shed so that I could have forgiveness, life, and a relationship with You. As I prepare to take communion, help me to approach it with reverence and understanding, not as an empty ritual but as genuine participation in what Christ accomplished.
Search my heart and show me any sin I need to confess. Help me to examine myself honestly and to come to the table with genuine repentance and faith. Let communion be a reminder of how much You love me, of the price that was paid for my redemption, and of the new covenant established through Christ’s blood.
As I take the bread, help me to remember His body broken for me. As I drink the cup, help me to remember His blood poured out for the forgiveness of my sins. Unite me with other believers as we share this meal, and help me to live in light of what this represents. May I proclaim Your death until You come again, and may communion transform how I think, how I live, and how I love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.