Can unleavened bread be used for Communion?

Historical Context of Unleavened Bread

From ancient times, unleavened bread held deep significance in the life of God’s people. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a memorial of their swift departure from Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:3). This observance required them to remove all leaven (yeast) from their homes, symbolizing the purity and sanctification they were to uphold before the LORD. The unleavened bread was also known as “the bread of affliction,” highlighting the hardships of their journey and their complete dependence on God’s deliverance.

Israel’s remembrance of the Exodus events helped shape their identity as God’s covenant people. In various scriptural narratives, the absence of leaven became an emblem for removing sin, hypocrisy, and old ways of life (cf. Exodus 12:14–20; Deuteronomy 16:3–8). Over centuries, this symbolic function of unleavened bread carried forward, most clearly demonstrated during the Passover celebration in Jesus’ day.

Biblical Examples of Unleavened Bread

Numerous passages in Scripture point to unleavened bread as central to ceremonial observance. During the Passover, the Israelites were instructed: “No leaven shall be found in your houses for seven days. If anyone eats anything leavened, that person must be cut off from the congregation of Israel” (Exodus 12:19). The command to avoid leaven underscored complete obedience and the removal of corrupting influences.

In the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, priests offered unleavened cakes and wafers in certain sacrifices (Leviticus 2:4–5). Throughout the centuries, this pattern continued and was firmly in practice by the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Unleavened bread was therefore thoroughly associated with consecration, purity, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Jesus’ Last Supper Setting

The Gospels attest that the Last Supper took place during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, overlapping with the Passover meal. In Matthew 26:17–19, it is written: “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?’…” The text shows that Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples using elements associated with this feast, including unleavened bread.

When Jesus said, “Take and eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26), He likely referred to the unleavened bread customarily used in the Passover meal. The absence of leaven during this period was a powerful symbol of sinlessness. Therefore, in establishing the new covenant memorial—what is often called Communion or the Lord’s Supper—Jesus used the bread already on the table, historically and symbolically unleavened.

Symbolic Significance of Unleavened Bread

Whereas leaven is often associated with the spreading influence of sin, unleavened bread underscores purity. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, believers are exhorted to “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.” Beyond a mere nod to Passover customs, this highlights the spiritual reality that Christians, having put away their old sinful life, are made pure in Christ.

Because Communion commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice and aligns closely with Passover themes, many see unleavened bread as a fitting representation of the sinless body of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Early Church Practice and Perspectives

Throughout church history, different Christian communities approached the Communion bread in varied ways. In Eastern traditions, leavened bread has sometimes been used to emphasize the risen Christ, while in Western traditions, unleavened bread is prevalent, reflecting the Passover context. Records from the early centuries, such as writings from the Church Fathers, show that the specific type of bread was not universally uniform, yet there was consistent agreement on the reverence and memorial focus of the sacrament.

Still, reflecting on the practice modeled by Jesus during Passover, many have concluded that unleavened bread carries important symbolism tied to His final meal before the crucifixion. This continuity with biblical precedent can be seen as a strong affirmation for the usage of unleavened bread in Communion.

Possible Objections and Practical Considerations

Some may question whether the style or form of the bread used truly matters, given that the core of Communion is remembrance and proclamation of the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). Others argue that since Christ fulfilled all the Law, the external details (leavened versus unleavened) are less critical than the heart posture of participants.

Nevertheless, many respond that the use of unleavened bread is a tangible way to reflect the Bible’s portrayal of Jesus’ body—pure and without corruption. They see a direct link to the Passover setting, maintaining a continuity that helps believers more vividly recall the original context of the Last Supper.

Answer to the Question

Yes, unleavened bread can be used for Communion, and it often aligns best with the scriptural and historical precedent of the Passover context in which Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. While certain traditions may choose leavened bread, evidence from Scripture, combined with centuries of Passover-linked custom, supports the use of unleavened bread as a meaningful emblem of Christ’s sinlessness and the purity of the new covenant.

Conclusion

Communion, instituted during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, points powerfully to Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. By using unleavened bread, believers honor the historical origins of the sacrament and underscore the theological truth that Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, gave His body without blemish for the redemption of the world.

Above all, whether one chooses leavened or unleavened bread, the focus remains on remembering and proclaiming the atoning work of Christ. Nevertheless, unleavened bread is a vivid scriptural symbol chosen within the Passover framework, making it a rich and deeply rooted element for Communion observance.