Where Does Jesus Say 'I Am the Bread of Life' in Scripture?
- Tammy Kennington Contributing Writer
- Updated Apr 15, 2024
The yeasty scent of dough prompted thoughts of a warm slice of goodness topped with butter, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of the first taste of my mother’s homemade treat.
A universal food, every culture depends upon bread for sustenance. Jesus once used the metaphor of this critical food source to emphasize His divinity when He proclaimed, “I am the bread of life.” But what does this mean?
What Had Jesus Done Before Saying “I Am the Bread of Life”?
Before uttering the words, “I am the bread of life,” Jesus demonstrated His divine power. As the gospel of Matthew tells us, “. . . Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” (Matthew 4:23 NKJV). The small towns of Galilee were buzzing at the news of Christ’s power.
One healing, noted in John 4:46-54 details the incredible answer to a nobleman’s request. The man’s ailing son lay dying almost twenty miles away. With all the desperation of a parent about to lose his child, he begged Jesus to come to his house. Jesus’ response? “Go your way; your son lives” (John 4:50 NKJV).
Believing in Christ, the man started his journey home, only to be greeted by one of his servants along the way. The man expected the terrible news that the child had died. Instead, the servant explained that not only was the boy healed, but his illness left him at the “seventh hour”—the same time the nobleman had spoken with Jesus.
Another of Jesus’ recorded miracles involves healing a paralyzed man who languishes by the pool of Bethesda. Crowds of embattled, sick, and disabled people gathered at the water’s edge in hopes of receiving healing from the famed pool. Upon encountering the paralyzed man—incapacitated for almost four decades—Jesus commanded, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” (John 5:8 NKJV). The Bible informs us the man’s body was restored to health immediately.
Not only did large crowds witness Christ’s miraculous power, but the religious influencers of the day did, as well.
How Did People React to Jesus Saying “I Am the Bread of Life”?
Awed by Christ’s miracles, the crowd pursued Him across the Sea of Galilee, hoping for another sign—proof that Jesus was God’s Son.
Jesus assured the growing crowd, “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. …I am the bread of life.”
The previous day, Jesus had multiplied a few loaves, satisfying the bellies of thousands. Then, the crowd longed to enthrone him as king. But these strong words caused distaste and dissension. Why?
The first two words of Christ’s statement generated debate. By proclaiming “I Am,” Jesus reflected God’s declaration of His title, “I Am Who I Am” (Exodus 3:14 NKJV), and indicated equality with the Lord.
Jews associated the bread of life, or manna from heaven, with God’s provision for His people as they wandered in the desert. When Jesus claimed the title of “the bread of life,” He inferred that, like the miracle manna, He could provide spiritual life as One sent by God.
Jesus’ claim led to a heated discourse, and ultimately, many abandoned the rabbi; their hearts were steeped in unbelief.
How Does “I Am the Bread of Life” Fit Jesus’ Other “I Am” Statements?
Jesus made several famous “I Am” statements in the four gospels. Like “I am the bread of life,” these other “I am” statements identify his character, salvific ability, and recognition of His divinity as Yahweh. Each of the statements reveals one's individual need for a Savior and unveils Christ as the source of salvation. Let’s consider the verses below:
1. “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJV). One day, a group of scribes and Pharisees brought an adulterous woman into Christ’s presence while He taught in the temple. Quoting the Law, the religious leaders charged the woman with stoning. But Jesus challenged the self-righteous leaders by inviting the first man without sin to cast his stone. The group grew smaller as, one by one, the men departed—aware of their own shortcomings.
The light of Christ’s presence and convicting words illuminated the darkness within each heart that day. In the same way, His word penetrates the deepest regions of our souls as it transforms us more into His likeness.
2. “I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:7-9 NKJV) This beautiful section of scripture emphasizes Jesus’ ability to deliver His sheep—or followers—into a place of security and safety.
Shepherds at the time of Christ herded sheep into the sheepfold at day’s end, then positioned themselves at the fold’s entrance to ensure their sheep remained safe from predators.
In the same way, our access to eternal life comes through Christ alone.
3. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. …I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, 10:15 NKJV) This “I Am” statement foreshadows Christ’s willingness to sacrifice Himself for those who followed Him. Jesus’ description foretold the story of His death and resurrection through which believers have been absolved of guilt.
4. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 NKJV). The cries of two grieving sisters filled Christ’s ears and rented His heart when He arrived in Bethany.
Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, lay rotting in a tomb. But Jesus offered hope—reassuring a heartsick woman. Then, by the power of Christ’s words, Lazarus emerged from the grave. This miracle and its associated “I Am” statement illustrate something far more significant than a physical resurrection. They point us to the Lord’s ability to resurrect the spirit from death to life.
5. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 KNJV). These words, spoken during the Last Supper, followed a discussion in which Jesus referenced His upcoming death. Not understanding and eager to follow His teacher, Thomas asked, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 NKJV)
Jesus’ response rejects the pantheistic views of both the pre-Christian and post-modern cultures. Instead, Christ affirms He is the only route to the Father. He rejects the idea that truth depends upon one’s own conviction or, worse, that truth is nonexistent. Rather, He embodies Truth. Jesus also leaves no doubt about His deity when He claims to be “the life.” The word zóé, used in this phrase, means to be the source of both physical and eternal life.
6. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser... Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:1, John 15:4 KNJV). Employing imagery familiar to His followers, Jesus uses the same word for true as that recorded in John 1:9, John 6:32, and Revelation 3:14. As mentioned in the commentary by the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, “Christ is the true, the genuine, the ideal, the perfect Vine, as He is the perfect Light, the perfect Bread, and the perfect Witness.”
As with several other “I Am” statements, Jesus reiterates His connection to God the Father and describes the importance of remaining in His presence to maintain spiritual strength and impact.
How Should We Respond to Jesus Saying “I Am the Bread of Life”?
“I am the bread of life” and Christ’s other “I Am” statements clearly communicate Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. We must each decide if we will accept the One who offers provision, direction, protection, and salvation. When we do, we move out of the wilderness in search of manna that perishes and step into the embrace of the Bread of Life—the great I Am.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Arthit_Longwilai
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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"Do Not Fear"
