John 6 - NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible

6:1–4 The Passover Festival looms large in the background of John 6. The Jewish Passover Festival commemorated Israel’s exodus from Egypt. The imagery of bread and water and the references to Moses in the chapter suggest that Jesus is greater than Moses and is leading his people in a new exodus. The chapter contains four scenes: Jesus’ feeding of the multitude (the fourth of Jesus’ seven signs), his walking on the water (the fifth of Jesus’ signs), a lengthy discourse as his response to the people’s request for more demonstrations of power, and various responses to Jesus’ words.

The feeding of the five thousand made a deep impression on the early church; it is the only miracle except the resurrection described in all four Gospels. Verse 2 is John’s first reference to large crowds following Jesus. The reference to the Passover in verse 4 is both a chronological and theological marker. The Jewish people celebrated Passover in the spring (March–April). John mentions three Passovers during Jesus’ ministry (2:13; 6:4; 13:1). The reference to the Passover brings to mind the image of the exodus from Egypt. As chapter 6 unfolds, John depicts Jesus as greater than Moses and as leading his people out of sin-and-death bondage. Only in this Gospel is the Sea of Galilee also called the Sea of Tiberias (6:1). By the time John wrote his Gospel, this was the normal designation of this body of water.

6:5–9 When Jesus saw the crowds approaching, he asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed them. Jesus tested Philip, who failed the test. Andrew brought a boy who offered his five small barley loaves and two small fish. Andrew is again referred to as Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew, however, makes a similar mistake as Philip by assuming what was and was not possible for Jesus. Jesus already knew what he intended to do to feed the crowd.

6:10–12 At this point Jesus took control, much like the head of a family or the host at a banquet. The people were instructed to sit down. The fact that there was much grass (v. 10) confirms that the season was springtime, before the summer heat burned it. John indicates that there were 5,000 men present. This did not take into account women and children, so the number of people whom Jesus fed was much larger. Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and distributed it. He did the same with the fish. This was the fourth of Jesus’ seven signs (see note on 2:9–12).

6:13–15 Not only was there enough for everyone to eat to their fill, Jesus instructed the disciples to collect the leftovers. They gathered 12 basketfuls, one for each disciple. The crowd declared Jesus to be a great prophet. Jesus perceived that they wanted to make him their king, even if they had to do it by force. He quickly quenched the dangerous talk, withdrawing alone to the mountain.

6:16–21 The disciples got into a boat and headed to Capernaum later that evening. The Sea of Galilee is susceptible to sudden storms. It is more than 600 feet below sea level and surrounded by high hills. After rowing three or four miles, the disciples saw Jesus approaching them, walking on the water. The disciples were frightened until Jesus identified himself and entered the boat. While Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry ground (Ex 14:22), Jesus walked on the surface of the sea. Jesus’ walking on the sea was a powerful demonstration of his sovereignty over the world he created. The Old Testament teaches that God alone rules over the seas (Ps 77:16–20; 107:28–30). This was the fifth of Jesus’ seven signs (see note on 2:9–12).

6:22–24 The crowd wondered where Jesus could have gone. They knew that the disciples had departed without him and that he had gone up to the mountain. After a small fleet of boats arrived from Tiberias, they began their search at Capernaum. Tiberias was a large city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Herod Antipas built the city in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius.

6:25–29 The theme of Passover and exodus imagery (manna and grumbling) continue. Jesus’ comments in the following discussion with the crowd draw out the spiritual implications of the feeding miracle. The discussion moves forward by questions and statements from the crowd. Jesus knew they sought him because of the feeding miracle. He warned them not to be so concerned about working for physical food that they failed to receive eternal life. The crowd picked up on the word “work.” The one work God requires is to believe in the One whom he has sent.

6:30–33 The crowd responded to Jesus’ invitation to believe by requesting that he prove himself. Some in the crowd must not have been present at the feeding. They pointed to the manna their ancestors ate in the wilderness; Moses proved himself by providing manna. Jesus corrected their misunderstanding as to the source of the manna: it did not come from Moses; it came from God. The bread from heaven, which is Jesus, is superior to the wilderness manna because it is lifegiving. Jesus made numerous references to coming down from heaven throughout the discussion.

6:34–40 The crowd’s request that Jesus give them this bread from heaven is reminiscent of the woman’s request for living water. Jesus responded by declaring himself to be the bread of life. This is the first of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements (see Introduction to John). Jesus’ use of “I am” would have caused his audience to think of God’s name in Exodus 3:14. Jesus promised to satisfy their deepest hunger and thirst if they would come to him (put their faith in him). Even though the crowd saw his miracles, they refused to believe in him. Everyone the Father gives to the Son will believe in Jesus, and he will never drive them away. Jesus made repeated references to the last day throughout the discourse.

6:41–42 The crowd’s grumbling is reminiscent of Israel’s murmurings in the wilderness (Ex 16:8–9). Just as they had complained against Moses, the first giver of bread, they complained against Jesus, the true bread from heaven. They did not understand how Jesus could say he came from heaven when they knew his father and mother. While Joseph is mentioned by name, Mary is referred to only as Jesus’ mother. Mary’s name is never specifically mentioned in this Gospel.

6:43–51 Jesus responded to the crowd’s grumbling by warning them that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them. He stated the truth of God’s initiative in salvation by pointing to Isaiah 54:13. Those who accept the Father’s teaching will come to (or believe in) Jesus. Those who are “taught by God” refer to those who believe in Jesus (Jn 6:45). Since only Jesus the Son has seen the Father, and since he alone came from the Father, the people should believe his words. Jesus stressed the absolute necessity of believing if one is to receive eternal life. Jesus continued by contrasting the living bread with the manna for which they longed. The contrast could not be any greater. Those who ate the manna in the wilderness died, but those who eat the bread from heaven will not die; they will receive eternal life. Jesus would soon give his life for the world (v. 51). The “world” refers to those who are in opposition to God and under the dominion of Satan. Those for whom Christ died do not deserve the benefits of salvation in and of themselves. Jesus’ words indicate that his death would be both voluntary and substitutionary.

6:52–59 The crowd argued among themselves about how Jesus could give them his flesh to eat. Jesus’ words about eating the Son of Man’s flesh and drinking his blood are difficult to interpret. It is best to interpret them as referring to the same idea brought out earlier: consuming Christ is the equivalent of trusting in Christ. The results of eating and drinking are eternal life and being raised up on the last day. These are the same results that those who come to Jesus receive. Jesus used this graphic language to describe the total commitment of his followers to him. Biblical authors often use images of eating and drinking in reference to spiritual realities (Ps 42:1; Jer 15:16). At some point during the discussion, there appears to be a change of location (Jn 6:59).

6:60–66 In verses 60–71, John describes three responses to Jesus’ comments: desertion, devotion, and deception. Many of Jesus’ followers found his teaching so difficult to accept that they abandoned him. The teachings were not too hard to understand but were too difficult for them to believe. How could their eternal destiny depend on their acceptance of him and his teaching? Jesus, aware they rejected his teaching, told them it would be even more difficult for them to believe when the Son of Man was resurrected and ascended. The reason they did not believe was because they had not received life from the Spirit. Jesus also knew the one who would betray him (v. 64). Jesus told them one final time in this discourse that salvation begins with God’s initiative.

6:67–69 Jesus asked the disciples if they would leave him like so many others did. The Twelve had witnessed Jesus feed the multitudes and walk on water the previous day. They had listened to his difficult teaching regarding eternal life. Yet Peter, speaking for the Twelve, affirmed their faith and confidence in Jesus. Despite watching large crowds walk away, they reaffirmed their faith in him.

6:70–71 The chapter concludes on a foreboding note. Jesus predicted that one of his disciples would betray him. Jesus already knew that Judas was a traitor. John wants his readers to know that Jesus was not caught off guard by events leading to his arrest and crucifixion. Referring to the traitor as a devil means that he would oppose Christ as Satan does.