Five Possible Explanations for the Absence of the Eucharistic Words of Jesus in John 13:

Interpretation 1: The meal described in John 13 takes place prior to the day of preparation for the Passover and therefore, Jesus had no reason to speak the Words of Institution over the bread and wine. The Last Supper meal would take place the next day (Jeremias). Cf., John 12:1-2; 13:1-4; 18:1-3.

Interpretation 2: John intentionally leaves out the Words of Institution because the church is ritualizing, materializing, and misusing the Lord’s Supper. John emphasizes it is the Spirit and words of Jesus that give life (Lindars, Dunn, Kobel). Cf., 1 Corinthians 10-11.

Interpretation 3: This is the first sign of the Disciplina Arcani (Lat., ‘discipline of the secret’). The church in the late first-century onward, felt compelled to keep the the sacred Words of Institution a secret from the heathen and even from new converts (Jeremias, Lindars). The early Orthodox-Catholic church used scriptures such as Matthew 7:6 (pearls vs swine); 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (spiritual Christian vs fleshly Christian); and Hebrews 5:12-14 (milk vs meat); Hebrews 6:1-2, to justify this new doctrine and practice.

Interpretation 4: The teachings of Jesus are more important than the Lord’s Supper (Hoskyns). Cf., John 13-17.

Interpretation 5: John is describing the same meal that Matthew, Mark, and Luke described, i.e., the Last Supper (Lincoln). John intentionally replaces the Words of Institution with Jesus washing the disciples feet. Therefore, John is the only one of the four gospel writers to actually interpret the practical and functional meaning of the words of Jesus i.e., “…this bread is My body” and “…this wine is My blood” (Bauckham, Ridderbos). John intends to present the washing of feet as a symbolic equivalent to taking the Lord’s Supper. If you get what the bread and wine are all about, you will love and serve one another in humility. In other words, Jesus tells His disciples not to elevate themselves above each other, cf., Luke 22:24-27; John 13:16; 1 Corinthians 11.

Luke 22:26, “But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest (μέγας) among you must become like the youngest, and the leader (ἡγέομαι) like the servant (διακονέω).”

John 13:16, “Truly, truly I say to you, a slave (δοῦλος) is not greater (μέγας) than his master, nor is one who is sent greater (μέγας) than the one who sent him.”

1 Cor 11:22, “What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise you.” Cf., Philippians 2:1-5.

When should a Christian abstain from taking the Lord’s Supper?

1. When a Christian is under the judgment of the Church (shunned/disfellowshipped).See Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 20:25-35; Romans 16:17; 1 Cor 5:9-13; 2 Thess 3:6, 14-15; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 9-11.

2. When there is worship/engagement with local pagan temples/idolatry:

Worshipping pagan gods (demonic spirits). Cf., 1 Cor 8; 10:14-22. Polytheism is normative.

Social-networking as persecution avoidance. Cf., Matt 10:32-33; Titus 1:16; 2 Tim 2:12; Jude 1:4; Rev 2:13.

Engaging in cultic sexual immorality. Cf., 1 Cor 6:15. Also, the Dionysian cult (1 Cor 5:11).

Flaunting your freedom to purchase meat sacrificed to idols at pagan temples in front of “weaker Christians.” Cf., 1 Cor 10:23-30.

3. When you have sinned against another Christian and refuse to seek forgiveness. Cf., Matt 18:15-17.

4. Disgracing a fellow Christian at the Lord’s Supper table. Cf., 1 Cor 11:22.

5. When there is radical and habitual disobedience. Cf., 1 Cor 5:9-13.

The Five Views:

Transubstantiation (Catholic)

Consubstantiation (Luther)

Spiritual (Calvin)

Memorial (Zwingli)

Indwelling & Interactive Judgment (Perry)