ἐσθίω (esthiō)
esthiō
to eat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 55 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb esthiō simply means to eat. It describes the physical act of consuming food and drink, appearing frequently in the Gospels and Paul’s letters. You see it used for ordinary meals, such as Jesus’ disciples eating after the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:20-21), or for table fellowship, like dining with tax collectors (Mark 2:16). It stands in direct contrast to fasting, as seen when critics note that John the Baptist did not eat bread (Matthew 11:18).
Its range extends beyond simple sustenance. The sources highlight its use in phrases like "eat and drink" to describe daily life or even reckless revelry (Luke 12:45). It also carries a metaphorical weight, meaning to devour or consume, as when James warns that fire will consume our bodies (James 5:3) or Revelation describes beasts devouring the harlot (Revelation 17:16). This dual use connects the mundane act of eating with powerful images of destruction and judgment.
A notable feature is its grammatical flexibility. It often takes a direct object for the food itself, such as eating bread (Matthew 15:2), but also uses prepositions like "from" or "of" to indicate partaking of something specific, mirroring Hebrew idioms found in the Old Testament (Mark 7:28). In the New Testament, this flexibility allows it to cover everything from sharing a Passover meal (Luke 22:30) to partaking of spiritual realities, as Jesus speaks of eating his flesh (John 6:51).
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word esthiō simply means to eat. It covers the everyday act of taking food into your body, from sharing a meal with friends to satisfying hunger after hard work. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this ordinary action to show his closeness to people. He eats with tax collectors and sinners, breaking down social barriers and showing that God’s table is open to everyone.
This word also carries deeper meaning. When Jesus speaks of eating his flesh in John 6, he points to a spiritual nourishment that sustains the soul. Even when used for judgment or destruction, it reminds us that what we consume shapes who we are. Whether at a simple dinner or a sacred feast, eating is an act of trust in God’s provision.
As you reflect on your own meals, consider how they connect you to others and to God. Sharing food can be a small but powerful way to show love and build community. May your daily bread remind you of the greater sustenance found in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 55 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eating15×
- eat5×
- do eat4×
- were eating3×
- to eat.2×
- to eat2×
- they may eat.2×
- he eats2×
- you shall eat1×
- you may eat1×
- you eat1×
- when were eating1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐσθίων11×
- ἐσθίετε6×
- ἐσθίουσιν5×
- ἐσθίει5×
- ἐσθίοντες4×
- ἐσθίειν3×
- ἐσθιόντων3×
- ἤσθιον,2×
- ἤσθιον2×
- ἐσθίῃ2×
- ἐσθίοντα2×
- ἐσθίειν.2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 26:26
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
Jesus uses the act of eating bread during the Last Supper to institute a lasting memorial of his body, linking physical nourishment with spiritual remembrance.
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Mark 2:16
The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
The phrase highlights Jesus’ deliberate choice to eat with social outcasts, demonstrating that divine grace extends beyond religious boundaries.
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Matthew 14:21
Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
This verse records the physical result of Jesus’ miracle, showing how God provides abundantly for basic human needs in a tangible way.
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Luke 7:34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
Critics misuse the word to accuse Jesus of excess, revealing how his joyful participation in meals was misunderstood as moral failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word esthiō mean?
How is esthiō different from other words for eating?
Where does esthiō appear in the Bible?
Does esthiō have a spiritual meaning?
Every Occurrence (55 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 11 verses
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matthew 11:18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax…
Matthew 12:1At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck…
Matthew 14:21Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Matthew 15:2“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Matthew 15:27But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 15:38Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Matthew 24:49and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards,
Matthew 26:21As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
Matthew 26:26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…