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 6:46 mean?

Explanation

John 6:46 is a verse that occurs within a dialogue in which Jesus is articulating his divine relationship with the Father and the unique insight into the Father that he possesses.

Literally, the verse means that no one has seen God the Father (the Almighty, the Invisible, the Spirit) except the one who originates from God, which in Christian belief is Jesus Christ himself.

The deeper meaning behind this verse suggests that a true, comprehensive understanding of the Father is possible only through the Son.

This is in line with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where the Father and the Son are distinct yet one in essence, and the Son is the revelation of the Father to humanity.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, is thought to have been written between 90 and 100 A.D.

The Gospel addresses a primarily Jewish audience but is also aware of the broader Greco-Roman culture.

In John 6, Jesus feeds the five thousand, walks on water, and provides a lengthy discourse on being the Bread of Life.

The verse in question is part of Jesus’ larger conversation about his role as the one who has descended from heaven, sent by God, and who has an unparalleled relationship with the Father.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives come into play when interpreting this verse.

A Trinitarian view would understand this verse as affirmation of Jesus' divinity and unique knowledge of the Father.

On the other hand, Unitarian or Arian perspectives, which deny the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, might use this verse to point out the distinction between the Father and the Son, noting that Jesus is "of God," suggesting a derivative rather than an equal status with God.

Moreover, some scholars might argue that this verse underlines the mediator role of Christ in the salvation process, being the only way to truly know God.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can serve as a point of reflection for personal faith and the understanding of how one can know God.

It suggests that relationship and revelation are central to Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of seeking to know God through Jesus Christ.

This verse could encourage believers to deepen their spiritual practice, aiming to connect with God through study, prayer, and community, based on the belief that it is through Jesus that one can come to know and experience God.

Cross-References

John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."
John 14:9: "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
Matthew 11:27: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."

Language Study

The key words in Greek for this verse are "ἑώρακεν" (heōraken, meaning "has seen") and "μόνος" (monos, meaning "only" or "alone").

The phrase "ὁ ὢν παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ" (ho ōn para tou Theou, translated as "he which is of God") is significant as it implies a special, intimate relationship or presence with God, pointing to Jesus' unique position in knowing the Father.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of ancient religions, seeing a deity was often limited to narratives of divine encounters or visions granted to selected individuals.

The assertion that no person has seen God, apart from Jesus, distinguishes the Christian claim from many mythological traditions where gods frequently appear to humans.

Furthermore, in Second Temple Judaism, God's invisibility and transcendence were emphasized, a view which carries forward into this verse and distinguishes the Christian perspective of knowing God through Jesus.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly touch on topics typically within the realm of scientific inquiry, it does deal with seeing and knowing, which can be explored through the lenses of psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science.

Modern understandings of perception, consciousness, and human cognition could provide insights into the processes by which people claim to know or experience the divine or how religious beliefs and experiences are formed and validated within a community.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varied commentaries on John 6:46.

Some see this verse as key evidence for the pre-existence of Christ, which is an important tenet in Nicene Christianity.

Others focus on the verse's implication regarding the exclusive access to the Father that Jesus provides, which is a foundational perspective for Christian claims about the necessity of belief in Christ for salvation.

Commentators from the historical-critical tradition might analyze the verse to understand how the Johannine community viewed the relationship between the risen Jesus and the Father, often contrasting it with the synoptic Gospels' portrayal of this relationship.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:46 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 6:46 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?