Book Review: Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist - An Eastern Orthodox Reflection

Book Review: Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist - An Eastern Orthodox Reflection 
​Author: Brant Pitre
Reviewed from an Eastern Orthodox Perspective

Introduction: Why This Book Matters
Brant Pitre’s Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a powerful and thought-provoking book that invites Christians, especially those who are Roman Catholic or Orthodox, to take a deeper look at the Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist, and the Jewish traditions that gave shape to them.

As Orthodox Christians, we already believe that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, not just a symbol or a memory. What this book does so well is show us how many of the things we believe about Holy Communion were already being prepared for in the Jewish faith before Jesus even came. In doing so, it strengthens our faith and reminds us that God’s plan for salvation is deep, rich, and full of meaning.

What Is This Book About?
Pitre's main idea is this: If you really want to understand what Jesus was doing at the Last Supper, and why Christians believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, you need to understand the Jewish world He lived in.

The book helps us see the Last Supper not just as a religious dinner, but as the fulfillment of three major Jewish traditions:

1. The Passover Meal
   The Last Supper was a Passover meal, which already had deep meaning for the Jewish people. It celebrated their freedom from slavery in Egypt and involved the sacrifice of a lamb. Jesus, by saying “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” was showing that He is the new Lamb of God, and that His sacrifice would bring freedom from sin and death.
2. The Manna in the Desert
   After the Israelites were freed from Egypt, God fed them with “manna” a miraculous bread from heaven. Pitre shows how many Jews believed the Messiah would bring back this “bread from heaven.” Jesus does exactly that in John 6 when He says, “I am the Bread of Life.” This connects directly to what we receive in the Eucharist.
3. The Bread of the Presence
   In the Jewish Temple, priests kept sacred bread called the “Bread of the Presence” in front of the Holy of Holies. This bread was seen as a sign of God being truly present among His people. Pitre explains how Jesus becomes the true “Bread of the Presence” in the Eucharist, God physically with us.

What Orthodox Christians Will Appreciate
There’s a lot in this book that Orthodox Christians will find helpful and inspiring. Here are a few highlights:

1. Deep Roots in the Old Testament
Pitre makes it clear that Jesus didn’t make up the Eucharist out of thin air. He shows how the Old Testament, especially the stories of Moses, the Exodus, and the Temple, was preparing the way for the Eucharist. That’s something we as Orthodox Christians already see in our liturgy and Scripture readings, and this book gives us even more insight.
2. A Sense of Sacred Mystery
While Pitre is writing from a Roman Catholic view, his love for the sacred mystery of the Eucharist shines through. Orthodox Christians will appreciate his awe and reverence for the Lord’s Body and Blood, and the way he defends the ancient belief that the Eucharist is truly Jesus Himself, not just a symbol.
3. Help Understanding Jewish Customs
Sometimes we forget that Jesus was a Jew, and that His teachings often made use of Jewish customs and feasts. This book helps us better understand what Jesus’ Jewish audience would have heard when He said certain things, like “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you.” Pitre shows how shocking and powerful those words were, and how they made sense in the light of Jewish expectations for the Messiah.
4. Inspiration for Deeper Faith
This isn’t just a book for scholars or priests. It’s written in a clear way that encourages everyday Christians to grow in their love and appreciation for the Eucharist. It might even change the way you approach the Divine Liturgy.

Some Orthodox Cautions and Differences
While this book has a lot of value, Orthodox Christians should be aware of a few things:

1. It’s Written from a Roman Catholic Point of View
Pitre is a faithful Catholic, and the book reflects Catholic teachings and terminology. For example, he talks about “transubstantiation” a word we don’t usually use in the Orthodox Church. We believe that the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ, but we prefer to speak of it as a holy mystery rather than explain exactly how it happens.
2. Unleavened vs. Leavened Bread
Pitre talks about the Jewish Passover using unleavened bread, which is true, but in the Orthodox Church, we use leavened bread for the Eucharist. This is symbolic of the risen Christ and the fullness of new life. The difference isn’t addressed in the book, but it’s something we might want to reflect on as we read.
3. Some Speculative Theories
Pitre offers an interesting idea that Jesus didn’t finish the traditional Passover meal during the Last Supper but waited until the Crucifixion to “complete” it by drinking the last cup of wine. While this is a creative theory, it’s not something the Orthodox Church teaches dogmatically, so we can treat it as one possible way to understand the Scriptures, not the only one.
4. Not Much on Eastern Liturgy
The book doesn’t go into the details of how the Eucharist is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church or in our Divine Liturgy. So while it gives good background, it doesn’t explore the richness of Eastern prayers, hymns, and the role of the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) in making the Gifts holy.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a deeply engaging and spiritually nourishing book that can enrich the faith of Orthodox Christians, especially those who want to better understand how the Old Testament prepares the way for the Eucharist.

It’s not perfect. It’s written from a Western, Catholic point of view, and some of its theories should be read with care. But overall, it helps deepen our awe and gratitude for the great gift of the Eucharist, where heaven and earth meet, and we receive Christ Himself into our bodies and souls.

If you love the Divine Liturgy, want to understand the Bible better, or are curious about how the ancient Jewish faith connects with Orthodox Christianity, this book is well worth reading.