1 Corinthians 11:23

Authorized King James Version

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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:

Original Language Analysis

Ἐγὼ I G1473
Ἐγὼ I
Strong's: G1473
Word #: 1 of 21
i, me
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
παρέλαβον have received G3880
παρέλαβον have received
Strong's: G3880
Word #: 3 of 21
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
ἀπὸ of G575
ἀπὸ of
Strong's: G575
Word #: 4 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος the Lord G2962
κύριος the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 6 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ᾗ that which G3739
ᾗ that which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 7 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρεδίδοτο I delivered G3860
παρεδίδοτο I delivered
Strong's: G3860
Word #: 9 of 21
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
ὑμῖν unto you G5213
ὑμῖν unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 10 of 21
to (with or by) you
ὅτι That G3754
ὅτι That
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 11 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος the Lord G2962
κύριος the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 13 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 14 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 21
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νυκτὶ the same night G3571
νυκτὶ the same night
Strong's: G3571
Word #: 17 of 21
"night" (literally or figuratively)
ᾗ that which G3739
ᾗ that which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 18 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παρεδίδοτο I delivered G3860
παρεδίδοτο I delivered
Strong's: G3860
Word #: 19 of 21
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
ἔλαβεν took G2983
ἔλαβεν took
Strong's: G2983
Word #: 20 of 21
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἄρτον bread G740
ἄρτον bread
Strong's: G740
Word #: 21 of 21
bread (as raised) or a loaf

Analysis & Commentary

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—Paul pivots from rebuke to institution narrative. Παρέλαβον ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου (I received from the Lord)—technical language of apostolic tradition (cf. 15:3). Did Paul receive this directly via revelation or through apostolic testimony? Both: the tradition came through the apostles, but Paul's authority to transmit it came from Christ Himself.

The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed (ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ᾗ παρεδίδετο)—paredideto (was betrayed/handed over) is imperfect tense: the action of betrayal was in process. This solemnizes the meal—instituted at Jesus's darkest hour, surrounded by treachery, abandonment, and impending crucifixion. Yet Jesus didn't cancel the meal or despair; He instituted a sacred ordinance pointing to His death as substitutionary atonement. The Corinthians' abuse of this meal, instituted in such gravity, is especially heinous.

Historical Context

Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper during Passover (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23). The Passover context is critical: lamb's blood saved Israel from judgment (Exodus 12). Jesus reinterprets Passover christologically—His body and blood are the true sacrifice that delivers from sin's judgment. Paul's account, written circa AD 55 (about 25 years after Jesus's death), is the earliest written testimony to the Last Supper, predating the Synoptic Gospels. This shows how central the Eucharist was to early Christian worship.

Questions for Reflection

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