King James Version

What Does Mark 14:22 Mean?

Mark 14:22 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Mark 14:22 · KJV


Context

20

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

21

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

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.

23

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you approach the Lord's Supper as mere ritual or as means of grace nourishing your faith?
  2. How does regularly 'proclaiming the Lord's death' keep the gospel central to your Christian life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐσθιόντων2 of 21

did eat

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

αὐτοῖς3 of 21

as they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Λάβετε4 of 21

Take

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

5 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς6 of 21

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἄρτον7 of 21

bread

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

εὐλογήσας8 of 21

and blessed

G2127

to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)

ἔκλασεν9 of 21

and brake

G2806

to break (specially, of bread)

καὶ10 of 21

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔδωκεν11 of 21

gave

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτοῖς12 of 21

as they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ13 of 21

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν14 of 21

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Λάβετε15 of 21

Take

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

φάγετε·16 of 21

eat

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

τοῦτό17 of 21

this

G5124

that thing

ἐστιν18 of 21

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὸ19 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σῶμά20 of 21

body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

μου21 of 21

my

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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