--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians?…" description: "\"“Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians? Whenever I ask this question I immediately remember the character of those that partook of the Last Supper w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg" --- # Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians? Whenever I ask… ![“Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians? Whenever I ask this question I immediately remember the character of those that partook of the Last Supper with Jesus. They were certainly Jews, some better Jews than others, but Jesus shared this meal knowingly even with Judas. Or again consider the…” quote by Ben Witherington III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg) > ““Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians? Whenever I ask this question I immediately remember the character of those that partook of the Last Supper with Jesus. They were certainly Jews, some better Jews than others, but Jesus shared this meal knowingly even with Judas. Or again consider the Emmaus Road encounter. Jesus shares this meal with those who had given up on his being the One to redeem Israel, who were leaving Jerusalem downcast and disappointed, and who were oblivious to the fact that it was Jesus who was speaking and sharing with them! There has to be a balance in the liturgy to help the congregation make a decision if they themselves are ready to partake of this Meal in a worthy manner (hence the 'ye who do truly and earnestly repent' clause), while at the same time joyfully welcoming all who are willing and ready and able to do so.”” [Ben Witherington III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-witherington-iii/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that the Lord’s Supper is not exclusive to a single group but is open to all who sincerely repent, reflecting Jesus’ inclusive meals with diverse participants. **In simple terms:** Inclusive communion for repentant believers Key Takeaway Communion welcomes sincere repentants Themes inclusion repentance hospitality theology ritual community Mood thoughtful inviting reflective Type theological didactic explanatory When to use this quote - church services - personal reflection on repentance - interfaith dialogues - teaching about communion Key Concepts sacrament Jesus’ meals Jewish context spiritual readiness Practical Applications - designing inclusive liturgy - educating congregants on repentance Questions to Reflect On - How does sincere repentance shape one's participation in communion? - What balance should liturgy strike between openness and reverence? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Communion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communion/) [Eucharist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eucharist/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) [Last supper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-supper/) [Sacrament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrament/) ## Related quotes > [“At the Last Supper Jesus tells his disciples to eat in remembrance of him. 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Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [ “\[I\]f the Lord's Supper effects nothing, consequently is nothing, … without a certain state of mind, without faith, then in faith alone lies its… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-feuerbach/i-f-the-lord-s-supper-effects-nothing-consequently-is-nothing-without/) [Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-feuerbach/) > [“Let’s not overlook that eating the Lord’s Supper with God’s people is a kind of preaching that is also meant to feed the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/let-s-not-overlook-that-eating-the-lord-s-supper-with-god-s-people-is/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“When Christians try to celebrate the Lord's Supper as anything besides a fellowship of believers, it's a sign that their faith and their church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-mims/when-christians-try-to-celebrate-the-lord-s-supper-as-anything/) Gene Mims > [If a friend is the one who summons us to our best, then is not Jesus Christ our best friend, and should we not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maltbie-davenport-babcock/if-a-friend-is-the-one-who-summons-us-to-our-best-then-is-not-jesus/) [Maltbie Davenport Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maltbie-davenport-babcock/) > [The purpose of the Lord's Supper is to receive from Christ the nourishment and strength and hope and joy that come from feasting our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-purpose-of-the-lord-s-supper-is-to-receive-from-christ-the/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [The Lord's Supper has been greatly instrumental in keeping His cause alive. 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There has to be a balance in the liturgy to help the congregation make a decision if they themselves are ready to partake of this Meal in a worthy manner (hence the 'ye who do truly and earnestly repent' clause), while at the same time joyfully welcoming all who are willing and ready and able to do so.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Witherington III" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-witherington-iii/is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians-whenever-i-ask-this-question/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christianity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-witherington-iii/is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians-whenever-i-ask-this-question/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/ben-witherington-iii-33766_christianity_is-the-lord-s-supper-only-for-christians_12571.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Is the Lord’s Supper only for Christians? 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