The breaking of bread is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and New Testament. At its core, the breaking of bread refers to sharing a meal together, often carrying important spiritual meaning and significance. Here is an overview of the major passages that speak of the breaking of bread and what they indicate:
The Passover Meal
One of the first instances of the phrase “breaking of bread” is during the institution of the Passover meal by God for the Israelites in Exodus 12. As part of commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and eat it along with unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8). Additionally, they were instructed: “Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.” (Exodus 12:9-10).
So the initial Passover meal consisted of roasted lamb and unleavened bread. God commanded them to eat it in haste along with bitter herbs and to not break any of the bones (Exodus 12:46). The Passover meal signified God “passing over” the houses marked with the blood of the lamb during the plague of the firstborn of Egypt. It commemorated God delivering the Israelites from slavery.
The breaking and eating of the unleavened bread during Passover took on spiritual meaning – signifying the urgency and haste by which God freed them from Egypt. The Passover meal was to be celebrated annually to remember God’s salvation.
The Showbread in the Tabernacle
Another instance of the “breaking of bread” took place in the Tabernacle during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. As part of the Tabernacle furnishings, there was a table for the showbread, or “bread of the Presence” (Exodus 25:30, Leviticus 24:5-9). Each Sabbath, this bread was renewed – with twelve fresh loaves symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. The priests were commanded to eat the previous week’s showbread once the new loaves were set down (Leviticus 24:9).
So the breaking of bread in this sense was symbolic of God’s provision for the twelve tribes of Israel. The showbread was holy, eaten only by the priests, and represented God’s sustenance for His people.
Breaking Bread as a Shared Meal
In the New Testament especially, the phrase “breaking of bread” takes on the meaning of sharing a meal together. One example is after the resurrection when Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus:
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:30-31).
Here, the act of breaking bread refers to a shared meal that opened the eyes of the disciples to recognizing their risen Lord. The breaking of bread accompanied fellowship with Jesus.
Another example is in Acts 2:42 and 46:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”
This passage refers to the early church sharing meals together, eating together as part of their fellowship and worship of the Lord. So the breaking of bread took on significance related to the Lord’s Supper and Holy Communion, as well as simply sharing meals together.
The Lord’s Supper Instituted by Jesus
The most direct theological meaning of breaking bread comes from Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples:
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Jesus took two important elements – bread and wine – and instituted them as symbols of the New Covenant. The bread, which Jesus broke and gave to his disciples, represented his body which was broken and sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins. And the wine represented his blood which sealed the New Covenant between God and man.
The breaking of bread in this instance points to Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf. When Jesus told his disciples to “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19), he instituted what we now call the Lord’s Supper or Communion. The early church continued this tradition of celebrating the Lord’s Supper:
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
So the breaking of bread in the New Testament often refers specifically to Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper – where the bread is broken and shared among believers to remember and proclaim Christ’s sacrificial death upon the cross. He told disciples then and now to break bread in remembrance of Him.
The Post-Resurrection Breaking of Bread
After Christ’s death and resurrection, the phrase “breaking of bread” takes on new meaning for the church. In Acts 20:7, Luke writes, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”
Here and in other places like Acts 2:42 and 46, the early Christians gathered together to break bread – likely referring to the Lord’s Supper as well as sharing fellowship meals. Breaking bread characterized the community, worship, and unity of the believers as the church began to grow and spread.
The breaking of bread reinforced that even after his crucifixion, Jesus’ presence was still with them through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the breaking of Christ’s body symbolized in Holy Communion. It reminded them of the enormous sacrifice made on their behalf by their Savior and Lord.
Jesus Known in the Breaking of Bread
One final passage around the breaking of bread occurs after Jesus’ resurrection on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to two disciples but they did not recognize him, thinking him just a fellow traveler. As Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, Scripture says:
“And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:31-32).
Even after the resurrection, the disciples knew Jesus in the breaking of bread – likely meaning both the meal itself as well as the spiritual symbolism of His broken body. They recognized their Lord in that familiar ritual.
The breaking of bread reveals Jesus to his followers. It reminds them of His sacrificial death that offers salvation. It represents the sustenance He provides. It marks the fellowship and community we share through Christ. And it points towards the eternal Feast and Marriage Supper of the Lamb spoken of in Revelation 19.
The breaking of bread, though simple on the surface, carries profound theological meaning and significance for the church. It points to Christ’s presence, sacrifice, salvation, and eventual return. Jesus is made known to believers in the breaking of bread.