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 6:47 mean?

Explanation

In this verse, Jesus addresses His audience with a profound statement about faith and its eternal consequence.

The beginning phrase "Verily, verily," also translated as "Truly, truly," signifies the importance of what He is about to say and urges the listener to pay close attention.

Jesus assures that whoever believes in Him will possess everlasting life.

The word "believeth" emphasizes an ongoing, active faith, not merely a one-time event. Everlasting life, in this context, means more than just unending existence; it refers to a quality of life characterized by a deep relationship with God, beginning in the present and continuing beyond death.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 6:47 is part of the discourse following the feeding of the five thousand, a miracle Jesus performed to supply physical nourishment to a large crowd.

As the audience sought Jesus for more signs and food, He redirected their attention to spiritual sustenance.

During this time, many Jews were looking for a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression, but Jesus presented Himself as the bread of life, offering spiritual freedom and fulfillment.

This statement was made in a Jewish context where belief in the one true God and adherence to the Law of Moses were central to religious life.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is often seen as encapsulating the core message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

This aligns with Protestant doctrines of sola fide (faith alone) for salvation.

Roman Catholic theology also acknowledges the necessity of faith in Christ but places it within a context that includes the Church's sacraments and works of grace.

Eastern Orthodox Christians interpret this passage in light of theosis, the process of becoming united with God, with faith as the beginning of a transformative journey.

All three branches agree on the centrality of Christ for salvation but may differ in understanding the role of faith within a broader spiritual paradigm.

Practical Applications

This scripture encourages individuals to place their trust in Jesus to experience a transformed life.

The emphasis on faith can inspire believers to cultivate a deeper personal relationship with God by engaging with Scripture, prayer, and participation in a faith community.

Furthermore, it reassures Christians that their belief has eternal significance, providing hope amidst life's challenges and a perspective that goes beyond the temporal world.

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 5:24 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Language Study

The key word in this passage is "believeth" (Greek: πιστεύων, pisteuōn), a present active participle form which implies ongoing, continuous action. This term conveys more than intellectual assent; it embodies trust, reliance, and adherence to Jesus.

"Everlasting life" (Greek: ζωὴν αἰώνιον, zōēn aiōnion) refers to life of the age to come, possessing both qualitative and quantitative aspects in the biblical context.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and myths, there were concepts of an afterlife or immortal existence often achieved through heroic acts or the favor of the gods.

For example, in the Ancient Egyptian religion, it was believed the soul could achieve eternal life through a combination of living righteously, ritual practices, and passing the judgment of Osiris.

The Christian concept differs in that eternal life is a free gift, based on faith in a personal, transcendent God, rather than through personal achievements or rituals.

Scientific Perspectives

Eternal life, as presented in John 6:47, is a spiritual rather than physical concept and thus falls outside the purview of scientific inquiry.

However, the psychological benefits of religious faith, such as increased well-being and life satisfaction, are well-documented within the field of psychology.

While science cannot validate the existence of an afterlife, it does recognize the role belief systems play in human cognition and society.

Commentaries

Many Bible scholars and theologians have provided commentary on John 6:47:

Matthew Henry, a nonconformist minister and author, saw this verse as an offer of spiritual nourishment and a reassurance of the promise of eternal life for believers.
William Barclay, a Scottish author, emphasized the present reality of eternal life upon belief in Jesus, rather than seeing it as solely a future state.
Craig S.

Keener, a modern biblical scholar, contextualizes this passage within John's gospel, highlighting the theme of belief and eternal life running through the narrative and serving as a call to faith for the reader.

Leon Morris, an Australian New Testament scholar, links the gospel's use of "eternal life" with a present possession rather than a future hope, indicating a new quality of life that begins at the moment of belief.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:47 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 6:47 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?