If we are to study Jesus words at that last supper we cannot ignore the word he used for “is”, which in Greek is “estin”.
Does it indicate that the the bread and wine were literally his flesh and blood or were these representitive symbols so that his words should be rendered, “This represents...” or “symbolizes” his flesh and blood as some highly respected translators have done?
Are there instances where “estin” is translated “is” when the meaning plainly is “means” or “represents”?
Of course. In Jesus parable of the wheat and weeds (Matt. 13) he says “the world” estin/is the field, the seed “estin” the sons of the kingdom.
Were the sons of the kingdom seeds? or did term “seeds” simply mean seeds represents them?
Whether to translate “estin” as “is” or “means/represent” depends upon the context of the Scriptures. Jesus had already called himself “bread” well before that last night, clearly not in a literal sense.
We do that sort of thing all the time.
When we’re explaining something to someone, like in a drawing, we draw the picture and say *This is.....*.
And of course, nobody thinks it is the real object but understand that it’s only a representation.
Some people are metaphor challenged.
Jesus also said that He was the door, the gate, the way, the shepherd, but we all know He was a carpenter and that He is not made out of wood or wheat.