Communion (Lord’s Supper): Institution

The “institution” of communion takes place when, just before his death, Jesus is with his disciples in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. During the meal, he breaks bread and shares the wine.

In four places in the New Testament we find passages known as the “words of institution”, or the “Eucharistic words”:

There are various descriptions of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. Important differences between the descriptions in Mark, Matthew, Luke and the letters of Paul are, for instance:

In the fourth Gospel, as well, there is an extensive description of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples (John 13:1-30). But we find no words of institution there.
John is the only one of the four evangelists to tell us that at the beginning of the meal Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. This footwashing is a powerful gesture: the Lord becomes a servant. Thus Jesus gives his disciples an example of the way in which they are to behave towards each other.