Jesus spoke powerful words when He said, “Eat My body,” pointing to the deep spiritual meaning of communion. The Bible explains the significance of this command and its connection to His sacrifice. Today, let’s explore the meaning behind these words.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Believing In Christ
What Does The Bible Say About Eat My Body
John 6:51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of eating His flesh as a symbol of receiving eternal life through faith in Him. Just as physical food sustains our bodies, Jesus, the “living bread,” sustains our spirits and offers us the promise of eternal life. This verse emphasizes the significance of partaking in the sacrificial offering of Christ and the spiritual nourishment it provides.
By consuming His body symbolically, we are invited to establish a deep spiritual connection with Jesus and His redemptive work, recognizing the profound sacrifice He made for the salvation of humanity. It is a call to receive Him spiritually, allowing His life and truth to become a part of us and transform our lives.
John 6:53-54
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.'”
In these verses, Jesus continues to use the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to emphasize the importance of personally receiving Him for the gift of eternal life. Jesus is speaking symbolically, pointing to the spiritual significance of partaking in His sacrifice on the cross. By consuming His body and blood, we participate in the covenant of grace and enter into a lasting relationship with Him.
This passage underscores the vital connection between faith, communion with Christ, and the promise of resurrection. By accepting Jesus’ sacrificial offering and incorporating His teachings into our lives, our spirits are nourished, and we receive the assurance of everlasting life in His Kingdom.
Matthew 26:26-28
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
During the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the sacrament of communion, which emphasizes the significance of His body and blood in the lives of His followers. By sharing bread and wine with His disciples, Jesus symbolizes the forthcoming sacrifice of His body and blood on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
These verses reveal the establishment of the Lord’s Supper as a recurring memorial that allows believers to remember and partake in the spiritual sustenance and redemptive power found in Christ’s sacrifice. Through communion, Christians are reminded of their ongoing need for Jesus’ atonement and are invited to partake in the spiritual nourishment and forgiveness that His body and blood represent.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
In this verse, Paul highlights the communal aspect of the Lord’s Supper and the intimate connection believers have with Christ through the shared elements of bread and wine. By participating in the cup and bread, believers enter into a meaningful fellowship with Jesus and with one another.
Here, participation in the body and blood of Christ signifies a spiritual union with Him and the incorporation into the larger body of believers. This verse reminds Christians of the importance of remembering and celebrating the shared spiritual reality of the redemption that Christ’s body and blood offer, fostering unity and gratitude within the community of faith.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ 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.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the origins and significance of the Lord’s Supper, reinforcing the importance of regularly commemorating Christ’s sacrifice and the salvation it offers. By sharing in the bread and cup, believers engage in a profound act of remembrance, proclaiming the redemptive work of Jesus that brings hope and transformation.
Through this symbolic act, Christians affirm their faith and commitment to Jesus, acknowledging His ultimate sacrifice and eagerly anticipating His return. This verse underscores the profound impact the act of communion has on the spiritual life of believers as they actively participate in the ongoing proclamation of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Hebrews 10:19-22
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
In these verses from Hebrews, the author highlights the transformative power of Christ’s body and blood and their role in our access to God’s presence. Through His sacrificial offering, Jesus has made a way for believers to approach God with confidence and sincerity, free from guilt and shame.
This passage emphasizes the cleansing and purifying effects of Jesus’ sacrifice, symbolized by the sprinkling of blood and the washing of water. It encourages believers to draw near to God in worship, prayer, and obedience, knowing that their sins have been forgiven and that they have been made righteous through Christ’s atonement.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Paul reminds the Corinthians that as believers, their bodies are a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the significance of honoring God with their entire being. By highlighting the spiritual reality of being bought with a price, he calls them to live in a manner that glorifies God.
This verse encourages believers to recognize the sanctity of their bodies and to live in purity and holiness, honoring God with their actions, thoughts, and choices. It serves as a reminder of the deep value placed on them by God and the responsibility to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, devoted to God’s purposes.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Paul urges believers to respond to God’s mercy and grace by presenting their bodies as living sacrifices, set apart for His purposes. This act of surrendering their physical selves mirrors the sacrificial offering of Christ and represents genuine worship.
By offering their bodies as living sacrifices, believers express their devotion to God, seeking to align their lives with His will and to bring Him joy. This verse emphasizes that true worship involves the entirety of one’s being, as believers yield themselves to God’s transformative work and strive to live in accordance with His Word and Spirit.
Colossians 2:16-17
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
In Colossians, Paul addresses the issue of religious legalism, emphasizing that the regulations concerning food and drink are no longer binding on believers who are found in Christ. He declares that the symbolic practices of the old covenant are mere shadows of the spiritual reality found in Jesus.
This verse invites believers to focus on the substance—the person and work of Christ—rather than getting caught up in external religious practices. It underscores the freedom believers have in Christ, reminding them that their true fulfillment is found in Him, not in adhering to religious laws or rituals.
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the early believers dedicated themselves to the teachings of the apostles, community fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These activities formed the core of their spiritual devotion towards God and one another.
This verse underscores the importance of communal worship and the significance of gathering together to partake in shared meals. It highlights the early Christians’ commitment to unity, learning, and seeking God’s presence through shared experiences around the table.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
Paul warns the Corinthians about the consequences of partaking in the Lord’s Supper without reverence and self-examination. He emphasizes the importance of approaching communion with a discerning heart, recognizing the sacredness of the body and blood of Christ.
This verse reminds believers to examine their motives, attitudes, and actions before participating in communion, ensuring that they do so with reverence and gratitude. It cautions against participating in a manner that fails to acknowledge the significance of both the personal and communal aspects of the Lord’s Supper.
John 6:55-56
“For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
Jesus reiterates His previous statements about the spiritual reality of consuming His body and blood. He emphasizes the vital connection between believers and Himself, illustrating that those who partake in His sacrificial offering through faith will experience a profound, ongoing relationship with Him.
This verse teaches that by remaining in Christ and allowing Him to remain in us, we establish a deep spiritual bond that nourishes and sustains our souls. It highlights the transformative power of this spiritual communion and invites believers to actively seek and maintain this intimate connection with Jesus.
Romans 8:9-11
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Paul reassures believers that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit confirms their identity as followers of Christ. He reminds them that even though their physical bodies are still subject to mortality because of sin, the Spirit grants them eternal life and righteousness.
This passage affirms the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within believers, providing them with divine life and the assurance of future resurrection. It emphasizes the importance of the Spirit’s presence in their lives, empowering them to live according to God’s will while eagerly anticipating the complete transformation of their mortal bodies.
Matthew 26:26
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.'”
During the Last Supper, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, and gives it to His disciples, identifying it as His body. This act established the symbolic act of communion, representing Jesus’ sacrificial offering on the cross for the sake of humanity.
This verse marks a significant moment in Christian tradition, where Jesus invites His followers to partake in a tangible representation of His redemptive work. It demonstrates the act of remembrance that believers engage in through the sharing of bread, wherein they recall the selfless love and sacrifice of Christ, committing themselves to follow Him faithfully.
1 Corinthians 11:26
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Paul emphasizes the proclamation aspect of the Lord’s Supper, recognizing it as an opportunity for believers to boldly declare and witness to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By partaking in communion, believers not only remember but also publicly proclaim their faith in the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrifice.
This verse reminds Christians of their responsibility to share the Good News of salvation and to testify to the transformative work of Jesus in their lives. It encourages them to approach the Lord’s Supper with a sense of reverence, gratitude, and mission, embracing the opportunity to proclaim the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection to the world.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. He points out that although believers are diverse individuals, they are united and interconnected through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This verse highlights the communal aspect of our faith, emphasizing that all believers, regardless of their background or social status, are partakers of the same Spirit. It underscores the importance of unity, cooperation, and mutual support as members of the body of Christ, nourished by the same indwelling Spirit.
John 6:57
“Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.”
In this verse, Jesus explains that just as His life depends on the Father, those who partake in Him will also receive life through Him. By eating His flesh and drinking His blood symbolically, believers receive spiritual sustenance and find true life that stems from their connection to Jesus.
This passage emphasizes the vital spiritual nourishment that comes from an intimate relationship with Christ. By abiding in Him and drawing sustenance from His teachings, presence, and power, believers experience the abundant and eternal life that Jesus offers.
Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”'”
In response to Satan’s temptation, Jesus affirms the spiritual nature of sustenance. He declares that while physical bread is necessary for bodily sustenance, true life and fulfillment are found in God’s Word.
This verse underscores the importance of nourishing our souls with the Word of God, understanding that it provides the spiritual sustenance and guidance we need for a meaningful and purposeful life. It reminds believers that a true and vibrant relationship with God is essential for our well-being and ultimate satisfaction.
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
Jesus declares that He is the exclusive path to God the Father, affirming His unique role as the source of truth and eternal life. Through this statement, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of faith in Him for salvation and a restored relationship with God.
This verse highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, the embodiment of truth and the sole means of reconciliation with the Father. It urges believers to place their complete trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, embracing the life and hope that He alone offers.
John 7:37-38
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'”
During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus invites those who are spiritually thirsty to come to Him and find satisfaction. He promises that those who believe in Him will experience an overflow of living water, symbolizing the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
This verse highlights Jesus as the true source of spiritual refreshment, indicating that He alone can genuinely satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and souls. It speaks of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers and empowers them to live fulfilling and fruitful lives in Christ.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul affirms that through faith in Christ, believers are united with Him in His death and resurrection, resulting in a transformed life. He describes this new life as one in which Christ lives within the believer, guiding and empowering them by His Spirit.
This verse highlights the surrender and new identity that comes through faith in Christ. It emphasizes the spiritual reality that believers no longer live for themselves but are now led by Christ, finding their purpose and strength in Him. It invites believers to live a life of faith, rooted in the love and sacrificial work of Jesus.
Romans 6:4
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Paul explains that through baptism, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, symbolizing their identification with Him. As Christ was raised from the dead, believers are called to live a new life, transformed by His power.
This verse emphasizes that the act of baptism represents a spiritual burial and resurrection. It signifies the washing away of the old self and the emergence of a new creation in Christ. It invites believers to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel, allowing the resurrection life of Christ to permeate their thoughts, desires, and actions.
John 6:58
“This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
Jesus compares Himself to the manna that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness, highlighting the difference between temporal physical sustenance and the eternal spiritual sustenance found in Him. He promises that those who partake in Him will receive everlasting life.
This verse emphasizes the superiority of the spiritual nourishment offered through faith in Jesus. It encourages believers to seek their sustenance and fulfillment in Him, recognizing that the eternal life He offers supersedes the temporary pleasures and provisions of this world.
1 Corinthians 10:17
“Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
Paul illustrates the unity and interconnectedness of the body of Christ by comparing it to sharing one loaf of bread. He emphasizes that although believers are diverse individuals, they are united as one body through their participation in Christ.
This verse underscores the importance of unity and mutual support among Christians. It reminds believers that their shared participation in the body and blood of Christ bonds them together in a deep and spiritual way, transcending divisions and fostering a community characterized by love, grace, and compassion.