The Bread of Life
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
The term "Bread of Life" is a profound metaphor used by Jesus Christ to describe Himself and His role in providing spiritual sustenance and eternal life to believers. This concept is primarily found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus articulates His identity and mission in a series of "I am" statements. The Bread of Life discourse is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the necessity of faith in Christ for spiritual nourishment and eternal salvation.

Biblical Context:
The phrase "Bread of Life" is found in John 6, where Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with five barley loaves and two fish. This miracle sets the stage for a deeper teaching about spiritual nourishment. After the crowd seeks Jesus for more physical bread, He redirects their focus to the spiritual sustenance He offers.

Key Scripture:
John 6:35 states, "Jesus answered, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.'" This declaration is part of a larger discourse where Jesus explains that He is the true bread from heaven, surpassing the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness.

Theological Significance:
1. Spiritual Nourishment: Jesus as the Bread of Life signifies that He is essential for spiritual sustenance. Just as bread is a staple for physical survival, Christ is indispensable for spiritual life. Believers are called to "feed" on Him through faith, receiving the life He offers.

2. Eternal Life: The Bread of Life discourse emphasizes the promise of eternal life. In John 6:51 , Jesus declares, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh." This points to the sacrificial nature of Christ's mission, culminating in His death and resurrection.

3. Faith and Belief: The metaphor underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus. To "eat" the Bread of Life is to believe in Him, accepting His sacrifice and teachings. This belief is not a one-time act but a continual reliance on Christ for spiritual vitality.

4. Contrast with Physical Bread: Jesus contrasts the temporary satisfaction of physical bread with the eternal fulfillment He provides. In John 6:27 , He instructs, "Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you."

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the Jewish context, bread was a fundamental part of daily life and a symbol of God's provision, as seen in the manna given during the Exodus. Jesus' claim to be the Bread of Life would have resonated deeply with His audience, challenging them to see beyond their immediate physical needs to their deeper spiritual hunger.

Implications for Christian Life:
The Bread of Life teaching calls Christians to a life of dependence on Christ. It encourages believers to seek spiritual nourishment through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, which many traditions view as a means of partaking in the life of Christ. This metaphor also serves as a reminder of the mission to share the Gospel, offering the Bread of Life to a world in need of spiritual sustenance.

Conclusion:
The Bread of Life is a central metaphor in Christian theology, encapsulating the essence of Jesus' mission and the promise of eternal life through faith in Him. It challenges believers to prioritize spiritual nourishment and to live in continual reliance on Christ, the true source of life.
Subtopics

Bread

Bread by Idolaters

Bread in Times of Scarcity, Sold by Weight

Bread of Christ

Bread was Baked in Ovens

Bread was Baked: On Coals of Fire

Bread was Baked: On Hearths

Bread was Formed Into: Cakes

Bread was Formed Into: Loaves

Bread was Formed Into: Wafers

Bread was Kneaded

Bread with Water, the Food of Prisons

Bread: (Eating Without Scarceness) of Plenty

Bread: (Fulness of) of Abundance

Bread: (Of Adversity) Heavy Affliction

Bread: (Of Deceit) Unlawful Gain

Bread: (Of Idleness) Sloth

Bread: (Of Tears) Sorrow

Bread: (Of Wickedness) Oppression

Bread: (Partaking of) Communion of Saints

Bread: (Seeking of Begging) Extreme Poverty

Bread: (Want of) Extreme Poverty

Bread: (When Broken) the Death of Christ

Bread: Barley

Bread: Broken for Use

Bread: Called the Staff of Life

Bread: Christ

Bread: Corn Ground for Making

Bread: Crumb of, Used to Wipe the Fingers, Thrown Under the Table

Bread: Figurative

Bread: First Fruit of, offered to God

Bread: Given by God

Bread: How Prepared in Pans

Bread: How Prepared: Baked in Ovens

Bread: How Prepared: Cakes

Bread: How Prepared: Cracknels

Bread: How Prepared: Honey

Bread: How Prepared: Kneaded

Bread: How Prepared: Made Into Loaves

Bread: How Prepared: Mixed With Oil

Bread: How Prepared: On Coals

Bread: How Prepared: On Coals of Dung

Bread: How Prepared: On Hearths

Bread: How Prepared: Wafers

Bread: Kept in Baskets

Bread: Kinds of Bread of Affliction

Bread: Kinds of Leavened (Made With Yeast)

Bread: Kinds of Unleavened (Made Without Yeast)

Bread: Made by Men

Bread: Made by Women

Bread: Made of Barley

Bread: Made of Beans, Millet

Bread: Made of Manna (In the Wilderness)

Bread: Made of Wheat

Bread: Made of Wheat Flour

Bread: Making of, a Trade

Bread: Manna

Bread: Meal

Bread: Multitudes Miraculously Fed by Christ With

Bread: Nutritious and Strengthening

Bread: Offered With Sacrifices

Bread: Often Given As a Present

Bread: Often Put for the Whole Substance of Man

Bread: Ordinary, Called Common Bread

Bread: Placed on Table of Shew Bread

Bread: Plenty of, Promised to the Obedient

Bread: Publicly Sold

Bread: Sacred, Called Hallowed Bread

Bread: Sacrificed

Bread: Scarceness of, Sent As a Punishment

Bread: Served Round After Funerals

Bread: Sometimes Unleavened

Bread: Symbolical of the Body of Christ

Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients

Bread: Traffic In

Bread: Troughs Used for Kneading

Bread: Usually Leavened

Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy

Bread: Yielded by the Earth

Tibbath

Related Terms

Rakkath (1 Occurrence)

Cana (4 Occurrences)

Chinnereth (4 Occurrences)

Hammath (2 Occurrences)

Quit (12 Occurrences)

Ziddim (1 Occurrence)

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)

Nekeb (1 Occurrence)

Lassharon (1 Occurrence)

Lasharon (1 Occurrence)

Gathhepher (1 Occurrence)

Gath-hepher (2 Occurrences)

Tiber'i-as (2 Occurrences)

Tibe'ri-as (1 Occurrence)

Doctor (5 Occurrences)

Magdala (13 Occurrences)

Sharon (9 Occurrences)

Hammoth-dor (1 Occurrence)

Hammothdor (1 Occurrence)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Lake (45 Occurrences)

Talmud

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Zer (1 Occurrence)

Zaanaim (1 Occurrence)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kartan (1 Occurrence)

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)

Neighbourhood (9 Occurrences)

Landed (10 Occurrences)

Geshur (11 Occurrences)

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Fishing (4 Occurrences)

Tiaras (1 Occurrence)

Thaddaeus (2 Occurrences)

Thomas (12 Occurrences)

Revealed (129 Occurrences)

Emmaus (1 Occurrence)

Eaten (211 Occurrences)

Desert (322 Occurrences)

Den (19 Occurrences)

Madon (2 Occurrences)

Manifested (48 Occurrences)

Machaerus

Mary (50 Occurrences)

Bartholomew (4 Occurrences)

Circumstances (19 Occurrences)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Chinneroth (3 Occurrences)

Cananaean (2 Occurrences)

Cinnereth

Adami-nekeb (1 Occurrence)

Aphik (1 Occurrence)

Adaminekeb (1 Occurrence)

Adamah (2 Occurrences)

Shewed (105 Occurrences)

Showed (164 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Across (172 Occurrences)

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)

Gadara

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)

Appeared (137 Occurrences)

Bathing (9 Occurrences)

Inches (1 Occurrence)

Shore (45 Occurrences)

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)

Ate (138 Occurrences)

Rainfall

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Manifest (74 Occurrences)

Tiberius (1 Occurrence)

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Jordan (188 Occurrences)

Flavius

Josephus

The Bread in the Basket
Top of Page
Top of Page