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 6:54 mean?

Explanation

John 6:54 is a verse that comes from a discourse by Jesus known as the "Bread of Life" discourse, which takes place after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000.

In this verse, Jesus claims that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life and He will resurrect them on the last day.

The phrase "eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood" is not meant to be understood literally, as cannibalism, but symbolically and sacramentally.

It points to the sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion) in Christian tradition, where believers partake bread and wine as symbols of Jesus' body and blood.

The deeper meaning implies a profound union with Christ and participation in His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse is found in the Gospel of John, which was written around the late first or early second century AD.

The Gospel of John often focuses on the divine identity of Jesus and presents Jesus' speeches in a different manner compared to the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke).

At the time this discourse was given, Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience that would have found the idea of drinking blood taboo due to Old Testament dietary laws (Leviticus 17:10-14).

This statement would have been shocking and possibly offensive to the listeners, contributing to the subsequent division and heated debate among them.

Theological Insights

Among Christian denominations, theological interpretations of this verse can vary:

Catholic Interpretation: The Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, meaning that during the Mass, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ, while retaining the accidents (appearance, taste, smell) of bread and wine.

Thus, John 6:54 is a key verse supporting the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Protestant Interpretation: Many Protestant denominations view the Eucharist as a symbolic or memorial act. They interpret this verse metaphorically rather than literally, emphasizing the spiritual nourishment and communion with Christ that believers receive through faith.
Eastern Orthodox Interpretation: The Eastern Orthodox Church holds that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ through the mystery of the "holy change," but it doesn't attempt to explain this mystery through scholastic theology as done in the West with the concept of transubstantiation.

Each of these viewpoints emphasizes union with Christ as essential for salvation and eternal life, but they differ on the nature of the presence of Christ in the sacramental elements.

Practical Applications

John 6:54 invites believers to consider the importance of intimacy with Christ and the value placed on the sacraments or ordinances of the church.

Practically, Christians can apply this verse by participating regularly in Communion as a means to remember and experience Christ's sacrifice and to sustain their spiritual life through a close relationship with Him.

It also emphasizes the importance of faith in approaching these practices, as simply partaking the elements without belief does not confer the promised benefits.

Cross-References

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26:26)
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words are:

"eateth" (Greek: τρώγων, trogon): This verb is present active participle, indicating a continuous action.

It suggests an ongoing act of eating, not a one-time event.

"flesh" (Greek: σάρξ, sarx): This term is often used to refer to the physical body, and, in the context of John 6, it likely refers metaphorically to the life and death of Jesus as the incarnate Word of God.
"drinketh" (Greek: πίνων, pinon): Similar to "eateth," this is a present active participle form, suggesting a continuous drinking.
"blood" (Greek: αἷμα, haima): Blood was considered the source of life in ancient understanding. The mention of blood in the sacramental context is therefore significant as it represents life-giving sacrifice.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the pagan world, there were myths of gods dying and providing food from their bodies, but the Christian understanding is distinct.

The Christian rite of Communion is understood as the real presence of Christ, a sacrifice offered once for all, not a cyclic mythic event.

The symbolism might also indirectly reference Jewish Passover rituals, though reinterpretation through the lens of Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science understands eating as a source of physical sustenance and blood as essential for life.

However, the language in John 6:54 is symbolic and sacramental, and it cannot be fully interpreted through a scientific lens.

Science can study the effects of ritual and communal practices on human psychology and sociology, recognizing the value of such practices for community cohesion and individual well-being without commenting on their theological truths.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse perspectives on John 6:54:

Catholic commentators emphasize the Eucharistic theology and the Church's teaching on the real presence of Christ in Communion.
Protestant scholars might focus more on the symbolic and spiritual aspects, highlighting the importance of faith and the memorial nature of Communion.
Orthodox theologians will often discuss the mysterious and unexplainable nature of the Eucharist, cautioning against rationalistic explanations.

Overall, commentators agree on the central importance of this verse for understanding Christian sacramental theology, even as they debate its exact interpretation.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:54 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 6:54 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?