Overview
The Bible addresses flesh across 16 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in John and Galatians. Closely related themes include Life, Eternal, Offence, Wine and Anger. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
Key Bible verses about flesh
New Testament
John
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? offend: or, scandalize, or, cause you to stumble
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Galatians
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
People in the Bible and flesh
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying flesh for yourself
- Begin with John 6:51, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how John and Galatians each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Life, Eternal, Offence, Wine and Anger.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about flesh?
The Bible addresses flesh across 16 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in John and Galatians. Closely related themes include Life, Eternal, Offence, Wine and Anger. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about flesh?
The Bible references flesh in 16 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention flesh?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is John 6:51: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with flesh?
Jesus.
Preach & teach
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