At the Last Supper, Jesus chose bread and wine not at random, but with deep purpose. He was celebrating the Passover—a meal already full of meaning for the Jewish people. The bread and wine connected directly to the Exodus story: the unleavened bread symbolized freedom from slavery, and the wine pointed to God’s promises of redemption. But Jesus gave these symbols new meaning. The bread became His body, broken for us. The wine became His blood, poured out to seal a new covenant. He was showing that He is the true Passover Lamb, delivering us not from Egypt, but from sin and death.
Understanding this connection changes how you see communion, the cross, and the whole story of salvation. Bread and wine aren’t just church elements—they’re a call to remember and respond to the rescue Jesus made possible. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the Passover connection and how Jesus redefined redemption in a way that includes you.
When Jesus sat down with His disciples for the Last Supper, He wasn’t randomly picking food items off the table. The bread and wine weren’t just convenient props—they were deeply symbolic, rooted in centuries of Jewish tradition. To understand what Jesus was doing, you need to understand Passover.
Let’s unpack it clearly, step by step.
What Is Passover?
Passover (or Pesach) is one of the most important Jewish festivals. It celebrates God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, recorded in Exodus 12. Every year, Jewish families gather to retell the story of the night the angel of death passed over the homes of those who had marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb.
Key elements of Passover:
- Unleavened bread (matzah) – Reminds them of the haste in leaving Egypt.
- Wine – Drunk in four cups throughout the meal, each with symbolic meaning.
- Roasted lamb – Recalling the sacrificial lamb whose blood saved them.
- Bitter herbs – Represent the bitterness of slavery.
Jesus didn’t just show up at a dinner. He chose this moment—this meal— to reveal the meaning of His death.
Why Bread and Wine?
1. Bread: His Body Given for Us
At Passover, unleavened bread (matzah) symbolized the Israelites’ quick departure from Egypt—no time for the bread to rise. But Jesus gives it a new meaning:
“This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19
Bread was a staple in Jewish life, eaten daily. By choosing bread, Jesus made a point: He’s essential, like food. And more than that—He’s the bread of life (John 6:35).
He broke the bread, just like His body would be broken on the cross. But here’s the twist: His body wasn’t just broken—it was given.
Jesus is saying: I’m the true bread. I’ll sustain you, I’ll save you.
2. Wine: His Blood of the Covenant
Then He took the cup:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” – Luke 22:20
In a traditional Passover meal, there are four cups of wine, each symbolizing part of God’s promise in Exodus 6:6–7:
- Cup of Sanctification – “I will bring you out.”
- Cup of Deliverance – “I will deliver you.”
- Cup of Redemption – “I will redeem you.”
- Cup of Praise – “I will take you as my people.”
Many scholars believe Jesus lifted the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, when He said this. That matters. He’s saying: I’m the Redeemer. My blood is the price that buys your freedom.
How Passover Points to Jesus
The Passover wasn’t just a historical event. It was a preview of the Gospel. Let’s connect the dots:
1. The Lamb Without Blemish
“Your lamb shall be without blemish…” – Exodus 12:5
Jesus is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29). He lived without sin, the perfect sacrifice. Just like the lamb saved the Israelites from death, His blood saves us from eternal death.
2. The Blood on the Doorposts
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” – Exodus 12:13
That blood was a sign of faith and obedience. In the same way, faith in Jesus’ blood covers and protects us from judgment.
3. No Broken Bones
“Do not break any of the bones.” – Exodus 12:46
Jesus’ bones weren’t broken during His crucifixion—fulfilling prophecy (John 19:33–36).
Passover was never just about Egypt. It was a shadow of something greater, pointing straight to Jesus.
Jesus Transformed the Meal
Here’s what’s powerful: Jesus didn’t cancel Passover. He fulfilled it.
He took the existing structure—full of deep history and meaning—and showed how it all led to Him. That’s why Paul says:
“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7
By using bread and wine, Jesus wasn’t just creating a Christian tradition. He was redefining redemption. The Exodus freed Israel from physical slavery. Jesus frees us from sin and death.
What It Means for You
The bread and wine aren’t just church rituals. They’re invitations to remember and believe in what Jesus has done. Here’s what they mean for your life:
1. A New Exodus
You’re no longer a slave to sin. Just like Israel walked out of Egypt, you’ve been brought out of bondage.
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
2. Daily Sustenance
Jesus is your daily bread. Just like manna in the wilderness fed Israel, His presence and Word feed your soul.
3. Covenant Relationship
This isn’t a transaction. It’s a relationship. You’ve entered into a covenant, sealed in His blood. He’s committed to you. You’re His.
Communion Today: A Passover Reimagined
When you take communion, you’re not just remembering the cross—you’re participating in a bigger story.
Paul writes:
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26
So every time you eat the bread and drink the cup, you’re saying:
- I believe Jesus is the Lamb.
- His body was broken for me.
- His blood covers me.
- I belong to this covenant.
Quick Recap: Why Bread and Wine?
| Symbol | Meaning in Passover | Fulfillment in Jesus |
| Bread | Unleavened bread of haste | His body, broken and given |
| Wine | Cups of redemption & praise | His blood, sealing the new covenant |
| Lamb | Slain to save the Israelites | Jesus, the Lamb of God, saving the world |
Final Thoughts
Jesus didn’t just teach with words—He taught with meals. By choosing bread and wine during Passover, He connected His death to God’s ancient promise of deliverance.
He’s the new Moses leading a new exodus. He’s the final Lamb. The cross isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a rescue mission.
So next time you take communion, remember this: You’re not just eating bread and drinking wine. You’re stepping into a story thousands of years old.
Suggested Reading:
- Exodus 12 – The first Passover
- Luke 22 – The Last Supper
- 1 Corinthians 5 & 11 – Paul’s reflection on Jesus as our Passover
10 FAQs on “The Passover Connection: Why Jesus Chose Bread and Wine.”
1. Why did Jesus choose bread and wine at the Last Supper?
He chose them because they were already part of the Passover meal, symbolizing God’s deliverance. Jesus gave them new meaning—bread as His body, and wine as His blood—establishing the new covenant.
2. What is the connection between Passover and the Last Supper?
The Last Supper was a Passover meal. Jesus used its symbols to show that He was the true Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring ultimate deliverance from sin.
3. What does the bread represent in the Last Supper?
The bread represents Jesus’ body, broken for us. It echoes the unleavened bread from the Exodus, which symbolized haste and freedom.
4. What does the wine represent in the Last Supper?
The wine represents Jesus’ blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. It sealed the new covenant between God and His people.
5. What were the four cups of wine in the traditional Passover meal?
They represented God’s four promises in Exodus 6: sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and praise. Jesus likely lifted the third cup—redemption—when instituting communion.
6. How is Jesus the fulfillment of the Passover lamb?
Like the lamb in Exodus 12, Jesus was without blemish, His bones weren’t broken, and His blood protects believers from judgment.
7. What is the new covenant Jesus mentioned?
It’s a new relationship between God and humanity, based on grace and sealed by Jesus’ blood, rather than law and animal sacrifice.
8. Is communion just symbolic or does it have deeper meaning?
Communion is deeply meaningful—it’s a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice, a proclamation of faith, and a celebration of the new covenant.
9. Do Christians still celebrate Passover?
Most Christians celebrate its fulfillment through communion, though some also honor Passover to better understand its roots in salvation history.
10. What should I think about during communion?
Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice, your freedom from sin, the grace you’ve received, and the covenant you’re part of because of His blood.
