Mark 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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Context is Passover meal commemorating Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12). Jesus transforms Passover elements into new covenant signs. The unleavened bread represented affliction in Egypt; Jesus reinterprets it as His body. The cup (14:23-24) represented deliverance; Jesus identifies it as His blood establishing new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This occurred in an upper room (14:15) in Jerusalem during Passover week, just before arrest. The disciples didn't understand this radical reinterpretation until after resurrection. Early church continued the practice (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34), though debates arose about mode and meaning. Paul's teaching (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) echoes Mark's account, showing apostolic tradition. The Supper unites believers across time with Christ and each other.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you approach the Lord's Supper as mere ritual or as means of grace nourishing your faith?
- How does regularly 'proclaiming the Lord's death' keep the gospel central to your Christian life?
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Analysis & Commentary
During the Last Supper, Jesus says: 'Take, eat: this is my body.' This institutes the Lord's Supper, central Christian sacrament. 'This is' (Greek touto estin) has sparked theological debate. Roman Catholics hold transubstantiation (bread becomes Christ's literal body); Lutherans consubstantiation (Christ's body present 'in, with, under' bread); Reformed view it as symbolic memorial and spiritual presence—Christ is spiritually present and received by faith, but bread remains bread. Jesus couldn't mean literal since He was physically present holding bread. The command 'take, eat' signifies believers' participation in Christ's benefits through faith. Bread represents His body 'broken' (given in death) for us. The Supper proclaims Christ's death (1 Corinthians 11:26), provides covenant renewal, and anticipates the Messianic banquet. It's means of grace, nourishing believers spiritually.