What does the Bible say about bread?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents bread as God’s good provision for daily life, a sign of our dependence on him, and above all a pointer to Christ, the true Bread of Life. In Matthew 6:11, Jesus teaches us to ask the Father for daily bread, while Ecclesiastes 9:7 receives food with grateful joy as God’s gift. Matthew 4:4 reminds us that bodily food cannot replace God’s Word. In John 6:32-35 and 6:50-71, Christ declares that those who come to him by faith receive eternal life. At the Lord’s Supper, Matthew 26:26 and 1 Corinthians 10:17 teach that bread signifies Christ’s body given for his people and their shared communion in him.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- John 6:32-35
[32] Jesus therefore said to them, "Most assuredly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." [34] They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." [35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
- Matthew 4:4
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
- John 6:50-71
[50] This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." [52] The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" [53] Jesus therefore said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don't have life in yourselves. [54] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. [58] This is the bread which came down out of heaven-- not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever." [59] These things he said in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? [62] Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? [63] It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. [64] But there are some of you who don't believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him. [65] He said, "For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father." [66] At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?" [68] Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. [69] We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [70] Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" [71] Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
- Matthew 26:26
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
- 1 Corinthians 10:17
Because we, who are many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
- John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
- Matthew 6:11
Give us today our daily bread.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go your way--eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
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