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 6:48 mean?

Explanation

"I am that bread of life" is a statement made by Jesus Christ, recorded in the Gospel of John, where Jesus identifies Himself as the essential sustenance for spiritual life and salvation.

On a literal level, bread is a staple food item, often used as a symbol for the basic sustenance needed for physical survival.

Deeper than the literal sense, this verse suggests that just as bread sustains physical life, Jesus Christ offers Himself as the spiritual nourishment necessary for eternal life.

It indicates that belief in Jesus and His teachings is as essential to the spirit as bread is to the body.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 6:48 is part of a larger discourse commonly referred to as the "Bread of Life Discourse," which follows the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, where Jesus feeds 5,000 men with only five barley loaves and two fish.

This event takes place near the Sea of Galilee.

The declaration of Jesus as the bread of life is to convey that His miracles and message are of a spiritual nature and not just meant to fulfill material or physical needs.

This conversation happens within a Jewish context, where bread is also a symbolic element in religious feasts such as Passover.

Theological Insights

Different Christian denominations interpret this verse through various theological lenses.

Catholic theology often sees it in connection with the Eucharist, where the bread is believed to become the Body of Christ during Mass.

Protestant viewpoints tend to emphasize the metaphorical meaning, seeing it as an invitation to a personal and transformative relationship with Christ.

From an evangelical perspective, it can be taken as an assertion of the necessity of accepting Jesus for salvation.

Theologically, this verse is central to discussions on the nature of Jesus' sacrifice and the concept of Jesus as a spiritual sustainer.

Practical Applications

In daily life, "I am that bread of life" can serve as a reminder to seek spiritual nourishment through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

This may involve engaging in regular prayer, scripture reading, and community worship.

It also suggests prioritizing spiritual well-being as one does with physical sustenance, thus promoting a holistic approach to personal health, with an understanding that spiritual fulfillment can provide strength and guidance through life's challenges.

Cross-References

John 6:35: "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."
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."
Exodus 16:15: "And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was.

And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term used for "bread" is "ἄρτος" (artos), which often refers to leavened bread, a common food in daily life. By using the term "artos," Jesus emphasizes something readily available and necessary.

The phrase "bread of life" could be understood as the "bread that brings/contains life." John 6:48 uses the present tense "εἰμι" (eimi) translated as "I am," which indicates a present and continuous state of being, reinforcing the sustained imparting of life that Jesus promises.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The notion of divine figures providing sustenance or food from heaven has parallels in various cultures and religions.

For example, in Greek mythology, ambrosia is the food of the gods, and in Hinduism, the concept of "prasad" represents food that is a divine gift.

The Jewish tradition of manna from heaven, detailed in the Book of Exodus, is a direct prefigurement that some Christian teachings link to Jesus as the bread of life.

Scientific Perspectives

While the statement "I am that bread of life" is a spiritual and theological claim, it is possible to discuss the importance of sustenance from a scientific perspective.

Nutrition science emphasizes the importance of food for maintaining life and health.

These scientific understandings can enrich a symbolic interpretation of the verse, providing an analogy for how spiritual or religious practices can contribute to psychological and emotional well-being.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical scholars offer differing interpretations of this verse.

Many agree that Jesus is drawing a parallel between Himself and the essential sustenance bread provides, placing spiritual sustenance above physical.

Some focus on the Eucharistic themes, particularly in Catholic theology, viewing this verse as pointing to the literal presence of Christ in the bread consecrated during Mass.

Others, like Protestant reformers, might argue it emphasizes faith and reliance on Jesus' teachings as a metaphor for sustenance.

Commentators also often connect this verse with the concept of Jesus as the fulfilling answer to humanity's deepest spiritual hunger.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:48 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 6:48 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?