Mark 14:22
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus didn't just take bread; he took it, signifying a deliberate, decisive action amidst the ongoing Passover meal. This wasn't an afterthought, but a pivotal moment where he redefined the very act of eating, transforming ordinary bread into a profound symbol of his soon-to-be-broken body.
Jesus is sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, a meal full of rich tradition and anticipation of freedom. As they are eating, and just after the betrayal has been revealed, Jesus institutes a new, profound act of remembrance, using the bread of their meal to symbolize his own body that is about to be given. This moment marks a shift from the old covenant celebration to a new one, pointing directly towards his impending sacrifice.
Jesus is instituting something brand new, right in the middle of an old tradition. What does this transition signify?
Jesus takes the Passover meal, a remembrance of God's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and transforms it into a new covenant meal. Notice how Mark says, 'And as they were eating...' This indicates the Lord's Supper wasn't a separate event, but an unfolding of the Passover feast.
When Jesus says 'This is my body,' what does He truly mean?
Jesus' words, 'Take; this is my body,' are profound. He's not suggesting a magical transformation of the bread itself, but rather using the bread as a powerful symbol of His own body, given for us.
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 passage directly quotes Paul's account of Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper, mirroring the words and actions described in Mark 14:22.
Luke 22:19Luke's Gospel also records Jesus giving the bread with the command 'This is my body, which is given for you,' emphasizing the sacrificial aspect.
Genesis 45:11This Old Testament passage shows Joseph telling his brothers 'I will provide for you there,' using language similar to Jesus's provision of Himself as nourishment.
Exodus 12:8The Passover instructions required eating unleavened bread with the lamb, providing a significant ritual context for Jesus's act of taking and breaking bread.
John 6:35Jesus later declared, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger,' directly linking Himself to the bread as a source of spiritual sustenance.
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…
Jesus didn't just take bread; he took it, signifying a deliberate, decisive action amidst the ongoing Passover meal. This wasn't an afterthought, but a pivotal moment where he redefined the very act of eating, transforming ordinary bread into a profound symbol of his soon-to-be-broken body.
Jesus is sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, a meal full of rich tradition and anticipation of freedom. As they are eating, and just after the betrayal has been revealed, Jesus institutes a new, profound act of remembrance, using the bread of their meal to symbolize his own body that is about to be given. This moment marks a shift from the old covenant celebration to a new one, pointing directly towards his impending sacrifice.
Jesus is sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, a meal full of rich tradition and anticipation of freedom. As they are eating, and just after the betrayal has been revealed, Jesus institutes a new, profound act of remembrance, using the bread of their meal to symbolize his own body that is about to be given. This moment marks a shift from the old covenant celebration to a new one, pointing directly towards his impending sacrifice.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Mark 14:22 is available in the Sola app.
"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.”" — Jesus didn't just take bread; he took it, signifying a deliberate, decisive action amidst the ongoing Passover meal. This wasn't an afterthought, but a pivotal moment where he redefined the very ac…
