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Who May Take the Lord’s Supper?
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that only anointed Christians among the 144,000 should eat the Memorial bread and drink the wine. Paul tells the church to eat and drink, and to examine themselves.
On This Page
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that only a small number should eat the bread and drink the wine at the Lord’s Evening Meal. Their page says those partakers are the ones in the new covenant, the 144,000 who will rule with Christ, and that the great crowd attends and does not partake. 1 Corinthians 11 (3) tells the church to eat and drink, and to examine themselves. Jesus is God. The argument is who the cup is for.
Key Points
- Their Lord’s Supper page (1) says the meal remembers Jesus. It is not a sacrament that imparts grace or forgiveness. Sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus.
- The same page says only a small fraction partake. Partakers are “those who have been called,” and “just 144,000 people” rule in heaven with Christ. The great crowd, with an earthly hope, attends and does not partake.
- They keep the meal once a year, after sundown on Nisan 14, with unleavened bread and plain red wine as emblems, not as literal flesh and blood.
- The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) of 1 Timothy 2:5–61 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open source (2) says there is one mediator, “a man, Christ Jesus,” who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all. The study note says the new covenant is between God and the 144,000. - 1 Corinthians 11:261 Corinthians 11:26 · King James Version
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:26 · King James VersionOpen source (3) says that as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death. 1 Corinthians 11:281 Corinthians 11:28 · King James VersionBut let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Corinthians 11:28 · King James VersionOpen source (3) says let a man examine himself. - Luke 22:19–21Luke 22:19–21 · King James Version22:19
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.
22:20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
22:21But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luke 22:19–21 · King James VersionOpen source (4) has Jesus give the bread and the cup, and the hand of the betrayer is at the table. 1 Corinthians 5:71 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionPurge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionOpen source (3) calls Christ our passover.
Who May Eat the Bread and Drink the Wine
Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently? (1) calls the observance the Lord’s Evening Meal, also the Lord’s supper, the Last Supper, and the Memorial of Jesus’ death. The purpose is to remember Jesus and to show gratitude for his sacrifice. The page says it is not a sacrament. Forgiveness comes through faith in Jesus, not through the rite.
On who eats and drinks, the page says:
When Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Evening Meal, only a small fraction of us partake of the bread and wine.
Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently? · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
The reason, on that page, is the new covenant. Jesus’ blood established a new covenant that replaced the covenant with Israel. Those in that covenant partake. It includes not all Christians, but only “those who have been called.” These will rule in heaven with Christ, “and the Bible says that just 144,000 people receive that privilege,” citing Luke 22:28–30, Revelation 5:9–10, and Revelation 14:1, 3.
The same page sets the “little flock” against “a great crowd” who hope for everlasting life on earth. Those with the earthly hope do not partake. They attend and give thanks. Who Are the 144,000? is that number in Revelation 7, and their reading of the great crowd.
The bread and wine, on their page, are emblems. They are not changed into literal flesh and blood. The page says that where many translations have “This is my blood,” the words can also be rendered “This means my blood.” Matthew 26:28Matthew 26:28 · King James VersionFor this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 26:28 · King James VersionOpen source (5) in the King James says, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Jesus as the One Mediator
The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) of 1 Timothy 2:5–61 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open source (2) says there is one God and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all. The study note on that ransom says:
Jesus “gave himself a corresponding ransom for all,” laying the basis for men and women of all sorts to be brought into the new covenant. (1Ti 2:6) It is a covenant between God and the 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians.
1 Timothy 2:5–6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)
That note is their reading. The ransom, they say, lays a basis for all sorts of people. The covenant itself, they say, is with the 144,000. 1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionFor there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionOpen source (6) in the King James says there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. “Men” is not a class of 144,000. Jesus is God, and he is the one mediator. Is Jesus God? The Trinity
What Paul Tells the Church
1 Corinthians 11:23–261 Corinthians 11:23–26 · King James Version11:23 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:
11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 · King James VersionOpen source (3) is the meal Paul received and delivered to the church at Corinth. The Lord Jesus, the night he was betrayed, took bread, and said to take and eat, in remembrance of him. He took the cup the same way. Verse 26 says that as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death till he come. Verse 28 says let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
Their page’s footnote says “as often as” means “whenever,” not a command about the calendar. The sentence still tells the people who are eating and drinking to show the Lord’s death. It does not sort the church into partakers and observers. The examination is whether a person eats in a worthy manner, discerning the Lord’s body (1 Corinthians 11:27–291 Corinthians 11:27–29 · King James Version11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:27–29 · King James VersionOpen source (3)). It is not a test of whether the person expects to rule in heaven.
Did Jesus Take the Bread and the Cup?
Luke 22:15Luke 22:15 · King James VersionAnd he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luke 22:15 · King James VersionOpen source (4) has Jesus say that he has desired to eat this passover with the disciples before he suffers. Luke 22:19Luke 22:19 · King James VersionAnd 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.
Luke 22:19 · King James VersionOpen source (4) then has him take bread, give thanks, break it, and give it to them, saying that it is his body, given for them. Matthew 26:26–27Matthew 26:26 · King James VersionAnd 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.
Matthew 26:26 · King James VersionOpen source (5) has him take the bread and the cup and give them to the disciples. The Gospels record him instituting the meal and giving the emblems. They do not add a line in which he says that he himself ate the bread he had just called his body.
Luke 22:21Luke 22:21 · King James VersionBut, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luke 22:21 · King James VersionOpen source (4) says the hand of the one who betrays him is with him on the table. Matthew 26:25Matthew 26:25 · King James VersionThen Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Matthew 26:25 · King James VersionOpen source (5) names Judas. Judas was at that table. The betrayal is his, not a rule about who in a later church may eat.
How Often Is the Meal Kept?
Their page says Jesus did not specify a frequency, and that some churches observe the meal monthly, weekly, or daily. They keep it once a year because he instituted it on the Passover, he died that same day, and the Passover was once a year. 1 Corinthians 5:71 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionPurge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionOpen source (3) calls Christ our passover, sacrificed for us. That is the type they name, and it is the type Paul names. The Passover lamb was slain once. The church’s meal, in 1 Corinthians 11:26, is “as often as” they eat and drink.
They date the meal to after sundown on Nisan 14, in the year 33. Acts 20:7Acts 20:7 · King James VersionAnd upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7 · King James VersionOpen source (8) says that on the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread. That is a meeting, not a sentence that God commands the cup every Sunday. Why Do Christians Worship on Sunday? is that first day. No verse in this chapter says “every Sunday, take the cup.” The verse that does speak is “as often as.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Not Allowed to Take the Lord’s Supper?
On their page, anyone who is not among the called 144,000 does not partake, including the great crowd who hope to live on earth. 1 Corinthians 11:281 Corinthians 11:28 · King James VersionBut let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Corinthians 11:28 · King James VersionOpen source (3) tells a man to examine himself and then to eat and drink. The bar in that verse is a worthy manner, not a heavenly class.
Who Betrayed Jesus at the Table?
Matthew 26:25Matthew 26:25 · King James VersionThen Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Matthew 26:25 · King James VersionOpen source (5) names Judas. Luke 22:21Luke 22:21 · King James VersionBut, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luke 22:21 · King James VersionOpen source (4) says the betrayer’s hand is on the table. He was there for the meal Jesus gave.
Does God Command Communion Every Sunday?
Their page says once a year, on Nisan 14. Acts 20:7Acts 20:7 · King James VersionAnd upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7 · King James VersionOpen source (8) has the church together to break bread on the first day of the week. 1 Corinthians 11:261 Corinthians 11:26 · King James VersionFor as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:26 · King James VersionOpen source (3) says “as often as.” Neither line is a command that names every Sunday.
What Is the Old Testament Type of the Meal?
1 Corinthians 5:71 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionPurge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Corinthians 5:7 · King James VersionOpen source (3) says Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Their page uses that comparison to keep the Memorial once a year, on the date of the Passover. The lamb was slain once. The church’s bread and cup proclaim that death until he comes.
Keep Reading
References
- Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently? (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The Lord’s Evening Meal, once a year on Nisan 14. Only a small fraction partake.)
- New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible), 1 Timothy 2:5–61 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open source (2013 edition. The study note on the corresponding ransom limits the new covenant to the 144,000.) - First Letter to the Corinthians, 11:23–29; 5:71 Corinthians 11:23–29 · King James Version11:23
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:
11:24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
11:25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
11:27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
11:28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:23–29 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Gospel of Luke, 22:19Luke 22:19 · King James Version
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.
Luke 22:19 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Gospel of Matthew, 26:26Matthew 26:26 · King James Version
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.
Matthew 26:26 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - First Letter to Timothy, 2:51 Timothy 2:5 · King James Version
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Book of Revelation, 5:9Revelation 5:9 · King James Version
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 5:9 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Acts of the Apostles, 20:7Acts 20:7 · King James Version
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
See Also
- Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Christians? — Jehovah’s Witnesses say yes: they follow Jesus, baptize in his name, and pray in his name. They also say he is not Almighty God and not part of a Trinity. The Nicene confession is that Jesus is God.
- Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Birthdays and Christmas? — No. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or Christmas. They say birthday parties have pagan roots and that the only birthday feasts in the Bible end in death, and they keep the Memorial of Jesus’ death instead.
- Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Drink Alcohol? — Jehovah’s Witnesses say it is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation. Their Bible-questions page calls wine a gift, says Jesus drank wine, and condemns drunkenness. It names times when a Christian should not drink at all.
- Do the Dead Cease to Exist? — Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that death ends the person. The dead are conscious of nothing, and no soul lives on apart from the body. The King James has the dead with Christ, and a judgment after death.
- Does “Jehovah” Belong in the New Testament? — The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) uses the name Jehovah 237 times in the New Testament. The Study Edition’s note on Acts 7:60 says the Greek manuscripts read “Lord.”