The
Body
Jesus follows standard Passover
procedure by blessing, breaking, and distributing the unleavened bread, which
is called the “bread of affliction” in Deut 16:3. Jesus next departs from
tradition by connecting the bread with his person: “This is my body.” That he
speaks metaphorically is evident, since his actual body is reclining on the
couch. In this sense the verb “is” indicates representation, not
identification. Does Jesus see himself as taking the affliction which is meted
out by the forces of tyranny? In executing God’s eschatological spokesperson,
Roman and Jewish authorities stand opposed to God’s kingdom agenda.
Then Jesus adds the explicatory
words, “which is given for you.” Luke uses the term “given” (δίδωμι)
elsewhere to connote a sacrificial offering (Luke 2:24) and other writers use
it similarly (see Mark 10:45; John 6:51; 2 Cor 8:5; Gal 1:4). The phrase
“for you” (ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν) likely means for your sake or on your behalf, and likely
has vicarious implications. Since this was not the ordinary meaning assigned to
unleavened bread at Passover, the new explanation must have caught the apostles
off guard. Although confused they may have associated it with the messianic
woes. Whatever the case, Jesus’ affliction would somehow work out to their
benefit. (R. Alan Streett, Subversive Meals: An Analysis of the Lord’s Supper
Under Roman Domination During the First Century [Eugene, Oreg.: Pickwick Publications,
2013], 184, emphasis in bold added)
