Lexical Summary kataklaó: To break down, to break in pieces Original Word: κατακλάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break. From kata and klao; to break down, i.e. Divide -- break. see GREEK kata see GREEK klao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and klaó Definition to break up NASB Translation broke (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2622: κατακλάωκατακλάω, κατάκλω: 1 aorist κατέκλασα; from Homer down; to break in pieces (cf. German zerbrechen (see κατά, III. 4)): τούς ἄρτους, Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16. Topical Lexicon Sense within the Synoptic Miracles Strong’s Greek 2622 appears only in Mark 6:41 and Luke 9:16, where the Lord “broke” the loaves during the miraculous feedings of the five thousand. In both accounts, the verb describes Jesus’ deliberate act of dividing the bread so that it becomes sufficient for the multitude. “And taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, said a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people” (Mark 6:41). Luke records the same sequence of looking up, blessing, breaking, and distributing (Luke 9:16). The focus is not on a mere mechanical action but on a sovereign, compassionate provision that reveals the Messiah’s authority over creation. Old Testament Resonances The scene recalls divine feedings in Israel’s history—manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4-15) and Elisha’s multiplication of loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44). In each case, God supplies bread in a wilderness setting, underscoring His covenant faithfulness. Jesus’ action therefore presents Him as the greater Moses and greater Elisha, fulfilling and surpassing earlier patterns of provision. Foreshadowing the Eucharistic Meal Although a different form of the root verb appears at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24), the narrative structure is identical: taking bread, blessing, breaking, and giving. The feeding miracles thus anticipate the redemptive significance of Christ’s body “broken” for His people and prepare the disciples to understand the sacrificial meaning of the bread they will later share in remembrance of Him. Early Church Practice The breaking of bread became a hallmark of Christian fellowship: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Whether in ordinary meals (Acts 27:35) or in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16), believers continued the pattern instituted by Jesus, combining physical nourishment with spiritual communion. Christological Implications By breaking the loaves, Jesus not only meets physical hunger but points to Himself as the true bread from heaven (John 6:35). The action dramatizes His mission to be broken so that life may be multiplied to many. The abundance left over (Mark 6:43; Luke 9:17) testifies that His provision is more than sufficient for all who come to Him. Pastoral and Devotional Application 1. Compassionate Service: Ministry that follows Christ’s example addresses tangible needs while announcing the gospel. Conclusion Strong’s 2622 marks two pivotal moments where bread is broken and divine generosity is unveiled. These acts bridge Old Testament expectation, New Testament fulfillment, and ongoing church life, declaring that the Messiah still satisfies both physical and spiritual hunger in superabundant measure. Forms and Transliterations κατέκλασε κατεκλασεν κατέκλασεν κατεκλάσθη kateklasen katéklasenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 6:41 V-AIA-3SGRK: εὐλόγησεν καὶ κατέκλασεν τοὺς ἄρτους NAS: He blessed [the food] and broke the loaves KJV: and blessed, and brake the loaves, and INT: he blessed and broke the loaves Luke 9:16 V-AIA-3S |
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