And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "blessing" here is richer than just a simple prayer; it signifies a deeper consecration, setting the bread apart for a holy purpose. Jesus isn't just saying grace; He's initiating a profound spiritual reality that transcends the ordinary meal they are sharing.
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is celebrating Passover with his disciples, a solemn occasion shadowed by his impending betrayal and crucifixion. As they are in the midst of eating the Passover meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, signifying a transition from the old covenant feast to a new one. This act sets the stage for his final instructions and the institution of the Lord's Supper.
Jesus takes an ordinary meal and transforms it into something extraordinary. What does this shift signify?
The Passover meal was a rich tapestry of remembrance for Israel, celebrating God's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. As Jesus and his disciples gathered for this sacred meal, Jesus used the familiar elements of bread and wine to inaugurate a new covenant, a new remembrance.
When Jesus says, 'This is my body,' what is He truly communicating through the bread He breaks?
Jesus' declaration, 'This is my body,' is a profound statement about the bread's significance. It's not merely a symbol; it's a representation of His very self, offered in sacrifice.
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Understand the original words
sōma · Greek Noun
Refers to the physical person of Jesus, which serves as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, establishing a new reality of communion with God.
This event occurred within the Passover festival, a deeply significant Jewish commemoration of God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Jesus uses this context to establish a new covenant, replacing the Old Testament Passover with a memorial of his own sacrificial death and resurrection.
c. AD 30— this verse
Last Supper and Passover Meal
Jesus and his disciples share a final Passover meal together, during which Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, symbolizing his body and blood.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Crucifixion
Following the Last Supper, Jesus is betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified, fulfilling the sacrificial meaning of the bread and wine.
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus is resurrected, demonstrating his victory over death and validating the new covenant he established.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Celebrates the Lord's Supper
The early followers of Jesus regularly gather to 'break bread' in remembrance of him, understanding the symbolism of his body and blood.
c. AD 55
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
The Apostle Paul provides the earliest written instruction on the proper celebration of the Lord's Supper, addressing issues of division and worthiness among believers.
Paul directly links the 'cup of blessing' and the 'bread that we break' to the 'communion of the blood of Christ' and the 'communion of the body of Christ,' echoing Jesus' words in Mark 14:22.
Luke 22:19Luke's account adds the crucial phrase 'which is given for you,' highlighting the sacrificial aspect of Jesus' body that is implied in Mark's account.
John 6:53Jesus' teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John's Gospel provides a theological backdrop for understanding the symbolic meaning of the bread and body in Mark 14:22.
Exodus 12:8The instruction for the Passover meal to be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs connects to the context of the Last Supper, showing Jesus reinterpreting and fulfilling ancient Israelite traditions.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26Paul's detailed explanation of the institution of the Lord's Supper, directly citing Jesus' words, reinforces the significance and meaning of the act described in Mark 14:22.
expositorsMark 14:22-25: "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."
CHAPTER 14:22-25 (Mark 14:22-25)BREAD AND WINE "And as they were eating, He took bread, and when He had blessed, He brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is My body. And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many. Verily…
cambridgeMark 14:22: "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."
22–25 . Institution of the Holy Eucharist 22 . And as they did eat ] On the departure of the Traitor the Saviour, as though relieved of a heavy load, broke forth into words of mysterious triumph ( John 13:31-35 ), and then, as the meal went on, proceeded to institute the Holy Eucharist. Jesus took bread ] that is one of the unleavened cakes that had been placed…
The word "blessing" here is richer than just a simple prayer; it signifies a deeper consecration, setting the bread apart for a holy purpose. Jesus isn't just saying grace; He's initiating a profound spiritual reality that transcends the ordinary meal they are sharing.
Jesus is celebrating Passover with his disciples, a solemn occasion shadowed by his impending betrayal and crucifixion. As they are in the midst of eating the Passover meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, signifying a transition from the old covenant feast to a new one. This act sets the stage for his final instructions and the institution of the Lord's Supper.
Jesus is celebrating Passover with his disciples, a solemn occasion shadowed by his impending betrayal and crucifixion. As they are in the midst of eating the Passover meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, signifying a transition from the old covenant feast to a new one. This act sets the stage for his final instructions and the institution of the Lord's Supper.
"And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”" — The word "blessing" here is richer than just a simple prayer; it signifies a deeper consecration, setting the bread apart for a holy purpose. Jesus isn't just saying grace; He's initiating a profound…
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Last reviewed October 2026