To people in Bible times, bread was a basic part of the daily food. In everyday speech they often spoke of food in general as bread (Psalms 37:25; Proverbs 31:27; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 30:20; Matthew 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:8). (For details concerning the common bread of the people see FOOD. For the use of leaven in bread and for its symbolism in Israelite religion see LEAVEN; PASSOVER. For the meaning of the ‘presence bread’ in the tabernacle see TABERNACLE.)
Manna, that unusual food that God provided for the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to Canaan, was known as ‘bread from heaven’ (Exodus 16:4; John 6:31; see MANNA). Jesus spoke of this bread as a picture of himself, the true bread from heaven. He came from God as God’s provision for the world’s spiritually needy people. He alone can bring salvation, and he alone can guarantee believers victory over death (John 6:32-40). This provision of salvation through Jesus is possible only because Jesus gave himself in sacrifice. By accepting the benefits of this sacrifice for themselves by faith, people can have eternal life (John 6:48-58).
Jesus also used literal bread as a symbol of his sacrifice. He told his disciples to eat bread and drink wine together, as a remembrance of him and as an expression of their unity with him and with one another (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; see FELLOWSHIP; LORD’S SUPPER).