1 Corinthians 11:23 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 11:23 kjv
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 11:23 nkjv
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
1 Corinthians 11:23 niv
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
1 Corinthians 11:23 esv
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,
1 Corinthians 11:23 nlt
For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread
1 Corinthians 11 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 1:11-12 | For I would have you know... gospel... is not man's... through revelation... | Paul's revelation directly from Christ |
| 1 Cor 15:3 | For I delivered to you... received... Christ died for our sins... | Paul's tradition: received & delivered |
| 2 Pet 1:16 | For we did not follow cleverly devised myths... but were eyewitnesses... | Apostles witnessed Christ's majesty |
| Lk 1:1-4 | I myself have carefully investigated... to write an orderly account... | Verifiable sources of NT accounts |
| Jude 3 | contend for the faith that was once for all delivered... | The complete body of Christian faith |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | Passing on faithful teaching |
| Deut 4:5-6 | See, I have taught you statutes... as the LORD my God commanded | Receiving and transmitting divine law |
| Isa 8:16 | Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples. | Preserving prophetic word |
| Mt 26:26-29 | Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it... "This is my body..." | Gospel account of Lord's Supper |
| Mk 14:22-25 | He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it... "This is my body..." | Gospel account of Lord's Supper |
| Lk 22:19-20 | And he took bread, and gave thanks and broke it... This is my body... | Gospel account of Lord's Supper |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | The cup of blessing... communion in the blood... The bread... communion in the body... | Participation in Christ's body/blood |
| 1 Cor 11:24-25 | "This is my body, which is for you... This cup is the new covenant..." | Continued institution of the Supper |
| Acts 2:42 | they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. | Early church practice of Communion |
| Jn 6:53-56 | Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man... | Spiritual eating of Christ's flesh/blood |
| Mt 26:20-25 | "one of you will betray me." He answered, "It is you." | Jesus predicts Judas' betrayal |
| Mk 14:17-21 | "one of you... will betray me..." | Jesus predicts betrayal at dinner |
| Lk 22:21-23 | "behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table." | Betrayer's presence during the Supper |
| Jn 13:21-30 | After saying these things, Jesus was troubled... "He it is... bread." | Judas identifies himself at supper |
| Ps 41:9 | Even my close friend, whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me. | Prophetic foreshadowing of betrayal |
| Zech 11:12-13 | weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver... | Prophecy of payment for betrayal |
| Rom 10:9 | confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord... | Confession of Jesus' Lordship |
| Phil 2:9-11 | God has highly exalted him... every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... | Universal recognition of Christ's Lordship |
1 Corinthians 11 verses
1 Corinthians 11 23 meaning
The verse establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the Lord's Supper. Paul asserts that his teaching about this ordinance did not come from human invention or tradition alone, but was directly revealed to him "from the Lord" Jesus Christ. He then faithfully "delivered" this truth to the Corinthians. The verse introduces the critical moment of institution: Jesus taking bread on the very night He was betrayed, underscoring the solemn and sacrificial context of this sacred meal.
1 Corinthians 11 23 Context
This verse is pivotal within 1 Corinthians chapter 11, where Paul addresses serious abuses within the Corinthian church concerning the Lord's Supper. Prior to verse 23, Paul condemns their divisions, gluttony, drunkenness, and the shaming of the poor during communal meals, which made their gatherings for the Supper ineffective and unholy (11:17-22). To correct these errors, Paul appeals to the very foundation and origin of the Supper. He shifts from rebuking their present conduct to recalling the Supper's sacred institution, reminding them of its divine authority and solemn significance. This historical account, which spans verses 23-26, is given as the absolute standard against which their current practices must be judged and corrected.
Historically and culturally, communal meals were significant in ancient societies, often reflecting social hierarchies. The Jewish Passover Seder provided the background for Jesus' Last Supper. Jesus instituted the Supper in the context of the Passover, transforming its symbols of redemption from slavery in Egypt to redemption from sin through His sacrificial death. Paul's detailed recounting of the institution emphasizes the solemnity of Jesus' actions on the eve of His betrayal and passion.
1 Corinthians 11 23 Word analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction introduces the explanation or substantiation for what Paul has just stated about the Corinthians' improper observance of the Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:17-22). It serves as a strong logical connection.
- I received (παρέλαβον - parelabon): This term means "I received," implying something passed on or handed down, a tradition. In this context, it signifies direct reception of divine revelation, emphasizing that the teaching originated from God, not Paul himself or human invention. This bolsters its authority.
- from the Lord (ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου - apo tou Kyriou): Crucial for establishing the authoritative source. "The Lord" here refers directly to Jesus Christ, either through an immediate revelatory experience (like Paul's vision or prophetic utterance) or as a deeply instilled apostolic tradition confirmed by divine authority. It stresses divine origin, not mere human insight.
- that which I also delivered (ὃ καὶ παρέδωκα - ho kai paredōka): This is the counterpart to "received." Paul received (παρέλαβον) and he delivered (παρέδωκα). This highlights Paul's role as a faithful steward and transmitter of truth. He faithfully passed on exactly what he received, upholding the integrity of the tradition. This Greek term is often used for handing down religious or ethical teaching.
- to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): Specifies the recipients of this vital teaching—the church at Corinth. It shows Paul's direct apostolic instruction to them.
- that the Lord Jesus (ὅτι ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς - hoti ho Kyrios Iēsous): "The Lord" (Kyrios) signifies Jesus' sovereignty, authority, and divinity, establishing Him as the initiator of this sacred ordinance. It stresses His ultimate power and position over the Church. "Jesus" refers to His historical, human identity.
- on the night when He was betrayed (ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ᾗ παρεδίδοτο - en tē nykti hē paredidoto): This phrase profoundly sets the stage for the institution of the Supper. "The night" evokes solemnity and darkness. "Betrayed" (paredidoto) is a passive form of the same root verb as "delivered" (παρέδωκα) used earlier, creating a poignant contrast: Paul "delivered" faithfully, but Judas "betrayed" nefariously, yet both were part of God's redemptive plan to "hand over" Jesus for sacrifice. This context of treachery and suffering emphasizes the immense cost of Christ's act.
- took bread (ἔλαβεν ἄρτον - elaben arton): This simple, yet powerful action marks the beginning of the ritual. "Bread" (artos) was a staple food, central to meals, especially the Passover Seder from which the Lord's Supper emerged. The act of "taking" it symbolizes His initiative and preparation for what would follow.
Word Group Analysis:
- "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you": This entire phrase underscores the unbroken chain of divine revelation and faithful transmission. Paul is not speaking on his own authority but as an envoy of Christ. This validates the truth and authority of his instruction to the Corinthians.
- "the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread": This highlights the profound irony and intentionality. The institution of this covenant meal by the Lord of the universe occurs at the very moment of ultimate human perfidy, intertwining the acts of salvation and sin, love and betrayal.
1 Corinthians 11 23 Bonus section
- Paul's phrase "received from the Lord" positions his apostolic authority as on par with that of the original Twelve apostles, whose
1 Corinthians 11 23 Commentary
First Corinthians 11:23 forms the authoritative bedrock for understanding and practicing the Lord's Supper. Paul unequivocally states that his account is not a mere ecclesiastical tradition or his own interpretation but a direct, divine revelation received from Jesus Christ Himself. This gives the ordinance unparalleled authority and makes adherence to its original intent non-negotiable. By emphasizing "the night He was betrayed," Paul fixes the Supper historically to Jesus' imminent suffering and death, not to a casual social meal. The simple act of "taking bread" initiates a profound memorial of His broken body. The verse corrects the Corinthians' abuses by drawing them back to the Supper's true origin, sacred context, and solemn purpose: a reverent remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, established by Him, to be observed faithfully as received from Him.