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What do the bread and wine represent in communion?A Scripture-grounded answer about bread and wine communion meaning
Published Reviewed
Published Reviewed
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and said 'This is my body,' then took the cup and said 'This is my blood of the covenant' (Matthew 26:26-28). Christians have debated the meaning ever since. Catholics believe the bread and wine become Christ's actual body and blood (transubstantiation). Lutherans believe Christ is really present 'in, with, and under' the elements (real presence). Reformed Christians believe Christ is spiritually present through faith. Baptists and many evangelicals view the elements as symbols that represent Christ's sacrifice. All agree the meal proclaims Christ's death and anticipates his return.
Why this answer? It starts with Matthew 26:26-28, then cross-checks 1 Corinthians 10:16 and John 6:53-56 so the summary stays anchored in Scripture.
Four major views have shaped 2,000 years of Christian practice. Transubstantiation (Catholic): the bread and wine literally become Christ's body and blood while retaining their outward appearance — defined at the Fourth Lateran Council (1215). Real Presence (Lutheran): Christ is truly present 'in, with, and under' the bread and wine, but the elements are not transformed. Spiritual Presence (Reformed/Calvinist): Christ is genuinely present through the Holy Spirit and received by faith, but not physically located in the elements. Memorial/Symbolic (Zwinglian/Baptist): the bread and wine are symbols that help believers remember Christ's sacrifice. John 6:53-56 ('unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you') is the most debated text — Catholics read it literally as referring to the Eucharist; Protestants generally read it as a metaphor for believing in Christ. All four views take Jesus' words seriously; they differ on how 'this is my body' should be understood.
“Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
- Matthew 26:26-28
Communion (the Lord's Supper) is a sacred practice Jesus instituted at the Last Supper. Believers eat bread and drink wine (or grape juice) to remember Christ's body broken and blood shed for our sins. It proclaims His death until He returns and examines our hearts before God.
Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 indicate that communion should be taken with self-examination and sincere faith. Those who eat and drink 'without discerning the body' bring judgment on themselves. Most Christian traditions agree that communion is for baptized believers who have examined their hearts. Churches differ on whether communion is 'open' (any Christian may participate) or 'closed' (only members of that congregation or denomination). The key biblical principle is that participants should approach the table with reverence, repentance, and genuine faith in Christ.
The Bible does not prescribe a specific frequency for communion. Jesus said 'do this in remembrance of me' (Luke 22:19) without specifying how often. Acts 2:42 says the early church devoted themselves to 'the breaking of bread,' and Acts 20:7 mentions gathering on 'the first day of the week' to break bread, suggesting weekly practice. Churches today range from daily (some Catholic and Anglican parishes) to weekly (many Reformed and early church traditions) to monthly or quarterly (common in some Protestant churches).
The new covenant is God's promise to write his law on people's hearts, forgive their sins, and establish a permanent relationship with them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled by Christ, the new covenant replaces the old Mosaic covenant. At the Last Supper, Jesus took the cup and said, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood.' The book of Hebrews argues extensively that the new covenant is superior to the old because it is founded on better promises, mediated by a better priest, and secured by a better sacrifice.
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Answers are informed by Scripture and trusted theologians including Matthew Henry, John Calvin, and John Wesley. Always verify with Scripture and consult your local church for pastoral guidance.