Lexical Summary klaó: To break Original Word: κλάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break. A primary verb; to break (specially, of bread) -- break. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to break NASB Translation break (2), breaking (3), broke (8), broken (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2806: κλάωκλάω; 1 aorist ἔκλασα; passive (present participle κλώμενος, 1 Corinthians 11:24 R G (see below)); 1 aorist ἐκλασθην (Romans 11:20 L Tr); (from Homer down); to break: used in the N. T. of the breaking of bread (see ἄρτος, 1), Matthew 14:19; Matthew 15:36; Matthew 26:26; Mark 8:6; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; ( Topical Lexicon Essential IdeaStrong’s Greek 2806 depicts the physical act of breaking bread. In Scripture this action consistently serves as the visible hinge between God’s gracious provision and His people’s reception—whether in Christ’s miraculous feedings, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, or the daily fellowship of the early church. Each occurrence overlays practical nourishment with covenantal meaning, inviting believers to recall God’s faithfulness and to participate afresh in the life of Christ. The Breaking of Bread in Jesus’ Earthly Ministry 1. Miraculous feedings (Matthew 14:19; Matthew 15:36; Mark 8:6; Mark 8:19). By breaking the loaves before distributing them, Jesus dramatizes the sufficiency of divine provision—what begins small in human hands becomes more than enough in His. The disciples learn to rely on Christ’s initiative rather than on visible resources. 2. Last Supper (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Take it; this is My body.’” (Mark 14:22). Here the routine Passover gesture is filled with redemptive significance: the broken bread now signifies the soon-to-be-broken body of the Lamb of God, anchoring the church’s ongoing memorial meal. 3. Post-resurrection recognition (Luke 24:30). In Emmaus the disciples’ eyes are opened “when He took the bread and blessed it, broke it, and began to give it to them.” The familiar rhythm of His breaking bread becomes the key that unlocks their understanding of the risen Lord. Apostolic Continuity and Early Church Fellowship Acts preserves three narrative examples (Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7, 11; Acts 27:35). The expression marks: • Daily table fellowship: “They continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house…” (Acts 2:46). Thus the same act bridges ordinary meals and formal observance, indicating that every setting can become sacramental when received with thanksgiving. Doctrinal Focus in Pauline Instruction 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 and 11:24 articulate theological depth: • Participation: “Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). Believers share a common life derived from the crucified and risen Christ. Symbolism and Covenant Theology The act of breaking signifies: 1. Sacrificial Provision – paralleling the broken unleavened bread of the Exodus, now fulfilled in Christ. Historical Practice The earliest extrabiblical witness (Didache, mid-first-century setting) reflects apostolic custom: believers assembled on the Lord’s Day, confessed sins, reconciled relationships, and broke bread. Patristic writers uniformly trace the rite to Christ’s command, preserving both its simplicity and its mystery. Pastoral and Missional Implications • Worship leaders should emphasize the visible breaking, reinforcing its biblical symbolism. Summary Across Gospel narrative, apostolic history, and doctrinal exposition, the breaking of bread operates as a God-ordained signpost pointing to Christ’s self-giving love, the unity of His body, and the believer’s continual dependence on divine grace. Forms and Transliterations εκλασα έκλασα ἔκλασα έκλασε εκλασεν έκλασεν ἔκλασεν κλασαι κλάσαι κλασας κλάσας κλασθή κλείθρα κλείθρου κλωμεν κλώμεν κλῶμεν κλώμενον κλωντες κλώντές κλῶντές eklasa éklasa eklasen éklasen klasai klásai klasas klásas klomen klômen klōmen klō̂men klontes klôntés klōntes klō̂ntésLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 14:19 V-APA-NMSGRK: εὐλόγησεν καὶ κλάσας ἔδωκεν τοῖς NAS: He blessed [the food], and breaking the loaves KJV: and brake, and gave INT: he blessed and having broken he gave to the Matthew 15:36 V-AIA-3S Matthew 26:26 V-AIA-3S Mark 8:6 V-AIA-3S Mark 8:19 V-AIA-1S Mark 14:22 V-AIA-3S Luke 22:19 V-AIA-3S Luke 24:30 V-APA-NMS Acts 2:46 V-PPA-NMP Acts 20:7 V-ANA Acts 20:11 V-APA-NMS Acts 27:35 V-APA-NMS 1 Corinthians 10:16 V-PIA-1P 1 Corinthians 11:24 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 2806 |
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