John 6

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am that bread of life.

Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

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?

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.

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

What does John 6:40 mean?

Explanation

John 6:40 speaks directly to the Christian concept of salvation and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this verse, Jesus is explaining that the will of God is for all who recognize and believe in Jesus ("seeth the Son, and believeth on him") to be granted everlasting life.

This is a key doctrine in Christian theology – the belief in Christ as the Son of God and Savior is what grants believers the hope of resurrection ("I will raise him up") on the final day of judgment, known as the "last day" in Christian eschatology.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 6:40 is part of the discourse that follows the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, an event where Jesus feeds a large crowd with only five barley loaves and two small fishes.

This discourse is particular to the Gospel of John and it unfolds a series of teachings that emphasize Jesus as the bread of life, which is a figurative expression of his role as the sustainer of spiritual life.

Historically, this Gospel was written in a context where early Christians were defining their identity and beliefs in the face of both Jewish tradition and Greco-Roman culture.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse encapsulates several key Christian beliefs: the divinity of Christ, the concept of resurrection, and the promise of eternal life through belief in Jesus.

Different Christian denominations might emphasize various aspects of this promise.

Mainstream Christianity holds this verse as evidence of Jesus' divine authority to grant eternal life.

More liberal theologies might focus on the inclusive call to belief and the universal offer of salvation.

Some others might debate the nature of "seeing" the Son, whether it requires literal witness or symbolic recognition of Jesus' divine role.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse encourages individuals to actively seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith.

It suggests that belief in Jesus is not merely a mental assent but involves a transformation that impacts one's moral and ethical choices, with the hope of resurrection as a driving motivation.

It also serves as an impetus for evangelism, urging believers to share their faith so others might also "see" and believe.

Cross-References

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 11:25-26: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Believest thou this?"

1 Corinthians 15:52: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of John 6:40 for detailed analysis are:

"seeth" (θεωρῶν - theoron): often translated as "to see" or "beholds," it implies not just physical sight but also perception and understanding.
"believeth" (πιστεύων - pisteuon): signifies faith or belief, not just intellectual agreement but trust and reliance.
"everlasting life" (ζωὴν αἰώνιον - zoen aionion): refers to life that is eternal, not just in duration but also in quality.
"raise him up" (ἀναστήσω - anasteso): this term is used in the context of resurrection, implying bringing up from death to life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be made between the Christian concept of resurrection in John 6:40 and the beliefs in eternal life found in other ancient religions and myths.

For instance, the Egyptian belief in an afterlife, as embodied by the god Osiris, similarly speaks to a notion of life after death, but differs significantly in its understanding of the means by which eternal life is achieved and its nature.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the concept of everlasting life and resurrection as described in John 6:40 is not empirically substantiated. But the verse does touch on human desires and beliefs about continuity after death, something that could be psychologically analyzed.

Furthermore, the study of near-death experiences (NDEs) has provided some anecdotal accounts that align with personal beliefs in an afterlife, though these experiences are not scientifically validated as being actual post-mortem events.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 6:40 often focus on the Christological implications of the verse.

Scholars like Matthew Henry and William Barclay comment on the inclusivity of the phrase "every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him," noting that it opens the door of faith to all.

Other commentators, such as Leon Morris in his book "The Gospel According to John," delve into the eschatological promise inherent in the latter part of the verse, connecting it to the broader Christian understanding of the end times and the final resurrection.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 6:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?