Once each year, Jehovah’s Witnesses commemorate the death of Jesus just as he commanded when he said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19.
TAMPA BAY — While the date Sunday, March 24, may pass imperceptibly for many, millions around the world will gather at sundown to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ.
Considered the most important day of the year for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Memorial is observed annually on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar in adherence to Jesus’ statement found in Luke 22:19: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” Though there are over 8.6 million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, over 20 million people attended the event last year.
“Around the world, many people who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses attend the Memorial. We hope that members of our local community will also join us in remembering the death of Jesus Christ to show gratitude for his sacrifice,” said Jessie Johnson III, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “While it is a solemn occasion, it is also a joyous one.”
The one-hour event will feature a talk highlighting the significance of Jesus’ death and what it means for all of mankind.
In the Tampa Bay area, a special campaign will be launched during March 2024 to invite residents to attend the annual observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal as well as a special public talk that will be delivered the week before.
Titled “The Resurrection—Victory Over Death!,” the special talk will be delivered at local Kingdom Halls on the weekend of March 16 and 17. This 30-minute, Bible-based public discourse will focus on the scriptural hope of a resurrection of the dead in the near future.
Tampa resident Mario Larralde shared, “My family looks forward to the special talk and the Memorial all year. Both events are practical and instructional, but they also help us to pause and reflect on all the things we can be grateful for, things that we can consider blessings from God.”
To learn more about how Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Supper, please visit the event’s Frequently Asked Questions page found on jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
For more information about the 2024 Memorial and special talk and how to attend, please visit jw.org.
2024 Memorial Fact Sheet
Though there are over 8.6 million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, over 20 million people attended the event last year.
Date of Memorial celebration in 2024?
March 24, 2024
Will collections be taken?
No. Jehovah’s Witnesses never take collections at their meetings.
What will happen at the Memorial?
The meeting starts and ends with the singing of a song, as well as a prayer offered by a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The main feature of the Memorial is a talk about the importance of Jesus’ death and how we can benefit from what God and Christ have done for us.
Is the Memorial celebration of Jehovah’s Witnesses the same as the Easter celebration?
No. While Easter is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, the Memorial celebration is a solemn commemoration of Jesus’ death. This is in harmony with the command he gave to his close followers, “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Jehovah’s Witnesses observe this Memorial each year on the anniversary of his death according to the Bible’s lunar calendar. He introduced the observance after sundown on Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to observe the Memorial on this date each year, following the practice of early Christians. We determine the date on which Nisan 14 falls each year using the same method used in the time of Jesus rather than applying the method used for the modern Jewish calendar.
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
A Christian religious group whose congregants worship Jehovah God and actively promote Bible education through various methods of evangelizing. The main focus of their Bible education work is to share the good news about God’s Kingdom, or government. (Matthew 24:14) The name distinguishes them from other religions, referring not only to whom they represent but also to the ministerial work they volunteer to do in God’s name.
When will future Memorial observances be held?
2024: Sunday, March 24
2025: Saturday, April 12
2026: Thursday, April 2
For more details, see the article “Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do?”
