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G364 · Greek · New Testament
ἀνάμνησις
anamnēsis
Noun, feminine
anamnēsis; remembrance; memorial; recollection

Definition

The Greek word anamnēsis (G364) means a calling to mind, a memorial, or a remembrance. It appears four times in the New Testament: in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (the Lord's Supper — "do this in remembrance of me") and Hebrews 10:3 (sacrifices as a reminder of sins).

In the Septuagint and Greek culture, anamnēsis could carry the sense of a memorial that makes a past event present — not merely intellectual recollection but living re-engagement with a formative event.

Usage & Theological Significance

The use of anamnēsis at the Last Supper is one of the most theologically rich moments in the New Testament. Jesus institutes a ritual remembrance that the church has practiced for two millennia: the Eucharist as living memorial of His death.

The contrast in Hebrews 10:3 is telling: the annual sacrifices were an anamnēsis of sins — a yearly reminder of what remained unsolved. But the Lord's Supper is an anamnēsis of the One who solved it. The old memorial pointed to ongoing failure; the new memorial proclaims a finished work. Every Communion table is an altar of memory that declares: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

Key Bible Verses

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:24 He said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Hebrews 10:3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Related Words

External Resources

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