Life Bible

John 6 - Life Application Bible Commentary (NT)

6:1 Some time after this.NIV John left unspecified how long this some time was (see also 5:1 and 7:1). According to the chronology that emerges when the Gospels are harmonized, the events during that time include:

Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee.NIV This great body of water (which is actually a lake, thirteen miles by seven miles) was also given the name “the Sea of Tiberias” by Herod Antipas in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberias in A.D. 20.

JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND / 6:1-15 / 96

Once again in this Gospel, John selects a particular place for presenting a spiritual truth about Christ. Earlier, the well in Samaria was an excellent setting for Christ to teach about the fountain of living water. Here, in chapter 6, the multiplication of the loaves provides a way for Christ to present himself as the Bread of Life. This pattern parallels Jesus’ point made in the last chapter when he emphasized that the Old Testament writers had foretold his coming. By readily using common places and events as examples of deeper truth, Jesus taught that the created order itself contains insights and lessons that point to him. The God who revealed himself in the Old Testament also left his fingerprints all over his creation (see Psalm 19:1-4; John 1:3-4, 9-10; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3).

This miracle was a significant turning point in the ministry of Jesus and is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. After this miracle and the teaching that flowed from it, many of those who had been following Jesus defected. It should also be said that some commentators see a connection between the Passover (mentioned in 6:4) and Jesus offering himself as the Bread of Life because the Passover symbolizes God’s provision for life and salvation (see 1 Corinthians 5:7).

6:2-3 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.NRSV Even though John does not specify every act of healing, he tells us later in his Gospel that Jesus did “many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book” (20:30 NRSV). John chose to call the healings “signs” rather than “miracles” because, like signposts, they pointed people to the divine power behind the act —the power of God. John described certain of Jesus’ many signs in his Gospel so that we, his readers, “may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing . . . may have life in his name” (20:31 NRSV).

Jesus went up on a mountain (the Sea of Galilee is surrounded by hills) and sat down with his disciples —presumably for a time of teaching. Then he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him.NRSV The crowd had followed him even there. Though he was not always able to take time away from the crush of the crowd, Jesus regularly made the effort to do so. A popular following can tempt us to overextend ourselves; it should also warn us to set aside some time to be alone and reflect.

6:4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near.NIV John mentions three Passovers in this Gospel: the first in 2:13 (when Jesus was in Jerusalem), the second here (when Jesus remained in Galilee), and the third in 12:12 (when Jesus went to Jerusalem and was crucified shortly thereafter).

6:5-6 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”NIV If anyone knew where to get food, Philip would because he was from Bethsaida, a town about nine miles away (1:44). Jesus was testing Philip to strengthen his faith. By asking for a human solution (knowing that there was none), Jesus highlighted the powerful and miraculous act that he was about to perform.

John clues us in: Jesus asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.NIV In usual use, the word test (peirazo) has a neutral meaning. It refers to a proving experience like Jesus’ testing in the wilderness or Abraham’s test over the sacrifice of Isaac. In all these cases, God allowed the test to occur, not expecting failure, but placing the person in a situation where his or her faith might grow stronger. Jesus did not want Philip to miss what he was about to do.

THE TEST

As he did with Philip, Jesus sometimes tests us by putting us in difficult situations with no easy answers. At these times we feel frustrated, as Philip did. However, frustration cannot be God’s intended result. The wise disciple always keeps the door open for God to work. When the first or second look at a problem yields no solution, do you trust God to work or assume it’s hopeless? Philip fell short because he allowed his thinking to be limited by his own limited resources instead of seeking God’s limitless resources.

6:7-10 “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite.”NIV This equivalent translation of Philip’s literal “two hundred denarii” allows us to appreciate the expense which would have been required to feed the crowd. A less-than-literal translation in a place like this is sometimes chosen because it does convey more clearly the intent of Philip’s statement. Eight months’ wages communicates the need better than two hundred of any currency that has been depreciated by inflation.

But, in fact, Philip did not really answer Jesus’ question. The Lord had asked him to consider the ways of supply (“Where shall we buy bread?”), while Philip responded with what he perceived as the larger problem —the means of supply. Perhaps knowing the area gave him some idea where sufficient quantities of food might be purchased, but why send out buyers if they had no money?

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOT IN GOD’S VOCABULARY

When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy a great quantity of bread, Philip started assessing the probable cost. Jesus wanted to teach him that financial resources are not the most important ones. We can limit what God does in us by assuming what is and is not possible. Is there a seemingly impossible task that you believe God wants you to do? Don’t let your estimate of what can and can’t be done keep you from taking on the task. God can do the miraculous; trust him to provide the resources.

At this point, Andrew (who is usually presented in the Gospels as Simon Peter’s brother and takes a subordinate position to him) took advantage of an opportunity to join the discussion. Apparently a young boy who had overheard the conversation pulled out his lunch and made it available. Someone has said that the first miracle was that he hadn’t eaten it yet! It was Andrew who inadvertently answered Jesus’ original question. He pointed out that the only available food was the boy’s lunch: five small barley loaves and two small fish.NIV (Barley loaves and fish were food for the poor.) Then Andrew adds the disclaimer: “But how far will they go among so many?”NIV Whether Andrew was speaking in humor or hyperbole we can’t be sure, but we can be fairly certain that he did not expect what followed

LITTLE WAS ENOUGH

The disciples’ skeptical reluctance contrasts with the youngster’s willingness to share what he had. Others may have been withholding what they had. They certainly had more resources than the boy. But they knew they didn’t have enough, so they didn’t give anything at all. The boy gave what little he had, and it made all the difference. If we offer nothing to God, he will have nothing to use. But he can take what little we have and turn it into something great.

6:11-12 What was offered was enough for Jesus; he took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them . . . so also the fish, as much as they wanted.NRSV The multitude numbered five thousand men, plus women and children (see Matthew 14:21).

MEALS AND MIRACLES

Thankfulness helps us appreciate both meals and miracles more fully. Jesus regularly gave thanks for food. The way in which he always paused to thank the Father made an indelible mark on the disciples. It was so characteristic of Jesus that even the two disciples with whom Jesus walked to Emmaus after the Resurrection recognized him when he gave thanks (Luke 24:30). How well are we recognized by our spiritual habits? When we give thanks for our meals we follow the example of Jesus Christ himself.

6:13 After all had eaten and were satisfied, they still had leftovers; the disciples filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.NIV This miracle and these leftovers reveal Jesus once again as the all-sufficient Lord. Our needs and problems are not obstacles to him, for his abundant power transcends any need or problem we place before him.

LEFTOVER LESSONS

We can learn from the leftovers. God gives in abundance. He takes whatever we offer him in time, ability, or resources and multiplies its effectiveness beyond our wildest expectations. If we take the first step in making ourselves available to God, he will show us how greatly we can be used to advance the work of his kingdom. Most of us want to see a great work of God, but can we take the first step of sacrifice?

TAKING THE MIRACLE OUT OF A MIRACLE

Our “scientific age” tries to explain everything in materialistic terms. In one way the very possibility of miracles threatens a simplistic view of science. After all, if the laws of nature are not absolute, we might have to admit that something or someone out there controls the universe. Those who believe that miracles can’t happen won’t be objective in studying Scripture.

Scientific materialism removes the miraculous from the miracles. It would explain this miracle meal by suggesting that the boy’s generosity set in motion a wave of giving so that all the people brought out the food they had and shared it with each other. Such a view makes the “miracle” easier to swallow, but it downplays Jesus’ miraculous power. The miracles, however, demonstrated the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Those who find it difficult to accept these miracles usually find it difficult to believe in the Resurrection. When we accept the Resurrection, miracles like the multiplying of fish and loaves become part of a day’s activity in the life of Jesus, the Son of God.

6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”NKJV The people saw and filled their stomachs as a result of this sign —who could have missed it? —and this led them to believe that Jesus was the Prophet whom Moses had predicted (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). John does not say the people were wrong to think of Jesus as “the Prophet,” but the next verse shows that they thought this Prophet should be a political leader. In this they were wrong.

Elisha foreshadowed this Prophet (who was one and the same as the Messiah) to come. According to 2 Kings 4:42-44, Elisha fed one hundred men with twenty loaves (a 5:1 ratio). But Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves (a 1000:1 ratio)! In Isaiah 25:6-9, the prophet said that the Messiah would prepare a great feast for all people, Jews and Gentiles. This miracle shows Jesus to be the Messiah.

6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.NIV During Jesus’ ministry, nationalistic fervor was high; the people wanted a king, a leader who would free Israel from Rome. The people expected this of the coming Messiah-King. When Jesus realized their intentions, he left. Jesus’ kingdom would not be an earthly one; his kingdom would not be established by a ground swell of popularity. This same opportunity for political power had already been offered to Jesus by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus knew that the immediate opportunity was nothing compared to what God had planned. As the prophet Daniel foretold:

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14 NIV)

JESUS WALKS ON WATER / 6:16-21 / 97

Of the three Gospel accounts of this miracle, John’s includes the fewest details. He understates the action, and apart from a brief mention of the disciples’ fright, he makes little emphasis on this event. Matthew described Peter’s walk on (then in) the water. Mark mentioned the difficulties being created by the wind and waves as well as the fact that when the disciples saw Jesus, he was passing by them. The focus of Matthew and Mark highlighted the miracle and its effects on those who participated in it; John included the miracle as yet another indication of the true identity of Jesus.

6:16-18 Jesus had gone up to a mountainside to be alone (6:15). The disciples went down from the hillside near Bethsaida to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum,NIV (see the map). Though it was late in the day, many of the disciples were experienced boatmen who would have felt comfortable sailing at night as well as in daylight. Jesus had called Peter to follow him after Peter and his partners had been out all night fishing (Luke 5:1-11).

This lake, the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Tiberias, see 6:1), is very large. It is 650 feet below sea level, 150 feet deep, and surrounded by hills. These physical features make it subject to sudden windstorms that cause extremely high waves. Sailors expected such storms on this lake, but the storms could still be very frightening. Such a sudden storm arose as the disciples were on their way to Capernaum: the sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.NRSV

For those reading the Gospels with a Harmony of the Gospels, there may be some confusion about where the disciples were going. According to Matthew 14:22, Jesus told the disciples to get into a boat and go on ahead to “the other side.” According to Mark 6:45, Jesus made the disciples board a boat while he dismissed the crowds and told them to “go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida” (NRSV). According to Luke 9:10, Jesus and the disciples were in Bethsaida for the feeding of the five thousand. According to John 6:17, the disciples “set off across the lake for Capernaum” (NIV). One solution is that two communities were named Bethsaida. Luke 9:10 identifies Bethsaida near Julias on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee. In Mark 6:45-46, the name identifies a village near Capernaum on the western shore.

It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.NRSV John added the words not yet come for the sake of his readers, who already knew the story, and for the sake of specifying the time during the evening when the disciples encountered the storm. It was before Jesus had come to them, and it was “about the fourth watch of the night” (Mark 6:48 NIV) or between three and six in the morning.

LIGHT THINKING

Sadly, most of us quickly forget in the darkness what seemed so clear in the light. As the disciples continually learned, we depend on tangible evidence more than we ought. Our senses, though valuable gifts, have limitations. As soon as Jesus left his disciples, they forgot the amazing powers he had shown them so recently. But before we chide their lack of faith, we need to examine our own. How much of our spiritual life is a series of peak experiences of God’s nearness followed by declines? When we can’t feel God’s presence, do we assume that he is not there and that he cannot help us? God’s presence and help should come as a welcomed expectation, not a frightening surprise!

The Sea of Galilee is about seven miles across at its widest point, and the disciples were rowing the boat through rough waters that the wind had stirred up at the north end. They had recently encountered a bad storm in similar circumstances, except that at that time Jesus was in the boat with them (Mark 4:35-41). This time they noticed his absence.

6:19-21 They had gone three or four miles.NKJV According to Mark 6:45, it had taken the disciples all evening to row this short distance —evidently because the head wind was so strong. Suddenly, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water.NIV Not only was Jesus walking on the water, he had walked a great distance over raging seas! Understandably, the disciples were terrified, but Jesus called over the wailing wind, “It is I; do not be afraid.”NKJV The disciples, terrified, thought they were seeing a ghost (Mark 6:49). They were frightened —they didn’t expect Jesus to come, and they weren’t prepared for his help. The literal reading for “It is I” is “I am” (Greek, ego eimi); it is the same as saying “the I AM is here” or “I, Yahweh, am here.”

EXPECTATIONS

Faith is a mind-set that expects God to act. When we act on this expectation, we can overcome our fears. Even after watching Jesus miraculously feed over five thousand people, the disciples still could not take the final step of faith and believe he was God’s Son. If they had, they would not have been amazed that he could walk on water. They did not transfer the truth they already knew about him to their own lives. We read that Jesus walked on the water, and yet we often marvel that he is able to work in our lives. We must not only believe these miracles really occurred; we must also transfer the faith to our own life situations.

John records a second miracle involved in this incident: immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.NIV Remember, the disciples were still far from the shore when Jesus met them. This miracle greatly strengthened the disciples’ faith (see 6:66ff.).

STORMY WEATHER

When Jesus came to the disciples during a storm, walking on the water (three-and-a-half miles from shore), he told them not to be afraid. We often face spiritual and emotional storms and feel tossed about like a small boat on a big lake. In spite of terrifying circumstances, if we trust our lives to Christ for his safekeeping, he will give us peace in any storm.

JESUS IS THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN / 6:22-40 / 99

The interaction occurring between Jesus and the crowd in Capernaum was strikingly similar to his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well outside Sychar. To the Samaritan, Jesus introduced himself as the source of living water; to the crowd he identified himself as the living bread. As he had done before, Jesus used the immediate context of the miracle of the loaves and fish to point to his concern over the eternal welfare of his hearers.

As long as Jesus used his power to meet the felt needs of the crowd, they were happy to follow. They even made plans to crown him king. What better social program could be possible than miraculously feeding people every day! But that was not Jesus’ purpose. The crowd quickly displayed their real allegiance by rejecting Jesus as soon as he would not do what they wanted.

6:22-25 To understand the action in these verses, we must back up and trace the movements of all the characters. Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand somewhere on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (6:1). That evening, his disciples boarded a boat headed west toward Capernaum (6:17) without Jesus, who had gone up into a mountain to be alone (6:15). Then Jesus came to the disciples during the storm (6:21). So Jesus and the disciples arrived together at Capernaum (presumably before dawn).

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.NIV On the opposite shore, the crowd that had seen the disciples leave knew that Jesus hadn’t gone with them and that the disciples had taken the only boat. The next morning they discovered that Jesus was gone, but they knew that he had not gone with the disciples. They assumed that he must have left to join his disciples. At some point during the day several boats arrived from Tiberias. Though it is not stated, the implication is that the crowd may have heard of Jesus’ whereabouts from someone on the boats. So people from the crowd used those boats, which were probably going to head back across the sea toward Tiberias anyway, to cross to Capernaum to search for Jesus.

6:26-29

“Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”NRSV The crowd, being satisfied once by what Jesus had done for them, wanted to see what else Jesus could do for them (maybe he’d provide more free meals?). But they did not realize what the miracle actually revealed to them. Even though they realized that perhaps Jesus was the Prophet (see 6:14), they were going to try to make him king. Jesus refused to encourage them in their desire for the material satisfaction he could provide. His beginning response in effect was, “You were so intent on the loaves themselves that you haven’t yet seen who made them.” The people may not have known it, but their needs went much deeper. Jesus’ signs were given to reveal that he could meet those deeper needs.

Thus, Jesus told them: “Do not work for the food that perishes.”NRSV The bread that fills the stomach, whether produced by a miraculous sign or made at the bakery, is not spiritual or eternal. But there is another kind of food, “food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”NRSV Jesus was saying that the people should not be following him because he provided free bread, but because he provides spiritual “bread” —bread that can give them eternal life.

Jesus wanted the people to look to him as the one who could provide the food that endures to eternal life. He himself is that food. By coming to him and receiving him by faith they would partake of the Bread of Life. This offer is the same as the offer of living water to the Samaritan woman in chapter 4. Eternal life is a gift; it cannot be earned, so Jesus said, “Do not work for it.” The only work to be done is to believe in Jesus.

“On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”NIV In those days a seal was a mark of ownership and authenticity. The Son belonged to his Father; furthermore, Jesus was the authentic Son of God —the giver of eternal life. The Father’s seal of approval was on him alone.

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”NIV The crowd missed Jesus’ words about how he would give the food that lasts for eternal life. Instead they focused on his words about working, wanting to know what they could do to carry out the works of God.

Jesus gave a straightforward answer: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”NKJV The only “work” God requires from us is to believe in his Son. But for some reason, we feel better somehow “earning” God’s favor rather than accepting it as a gift. But the work of trusting Christ is not by works, but by faith!

THE WORK OF GOD

Many who sincerely seek God wonder what he wants them to do. The religions of the world have many answers to this question, but Jesus’ reply was brief and simple: Believe in him whom God has sent. Satisfying God does not come from the work we do, but from whom we believe. What does it mean to believe? The first step is accepting Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. We declare in prayer to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16 NKJV). Accepting Jesus means giving him control of every area of life. To believe means to yield our wills, our desires, our plans, our strengths and weaknesses to Christ’s direction and safekeeping. It means moment-by-moment obedience. Believing is a relationship with the one who promises to live within, trusting him to guide and direct us to do his will.

6:30-31 Amazingly, the crowd then asked Jesus, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”NIV The crowd had just seen the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, but they wanted more —not just one day’s supply of bread, but a guarantee of continuous supply. Their argument was that their ancestors ate the manna in the wildernessNRSV —which, of course, was available every day for nearly forty years. And they cited their Scriptures, quoting from such verses as Exodus 16:4 and Psalm 78:24-25 —“He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”NKJV A midrash (Jewish commentary) on Exodus 16:4 says that just as the former redeemer (Moses) caused manna to descend from heaven, so also the latter Redeemer will cause manna to descend. They expected this from Jesus if he was the Messiah.

6:32 “It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”NRSV Moses hadn’t performed the miracle, God had. And the God who gave the manna to the Israelites for forty years now gives the true bread out of heaven —Jesus. Just as the Israelites ate manna every day, so God provides the true bread for daily sustenance.

WHO IS THE SOURCE?

The Jews wanted to give Moses the credit for what God had done. Can the same kind of misunderstanding creep into our own thinking? For instance, when we speak about prayer, do we tend to take part of the credit for the work that God actually accomplishes? We hear statements such as, “She was sick, and we prayed and she was healed,” or “The storm was approaching, but I prayed and it went around us.” Our phrases may imply that the power was in the prayers rather than in God who hears and answers prayer. Prayer allows us to participate in God’s work. We dare not get so involved in our experience of prayer that we neglect the source of our power. When prayers are answered, our attention must be on who answered rather than on who prayed.

6:33-35 “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”NKJV The Jews wanted a daily supply of physical bread. God had given them his Son as the true heavenly bread to meet their daily spiritual needs. The present tense indicates the continual supply.

Unable to grasp that Jesus spoke about himself as the Bread of Life, the crowd said, “From now on give us this bread.”NIV Like the woman at the well who asked Jesus to give her the living water so she wouldn’t be thirsty again and would never have to make any more long trips to the well, this crowd wanted what Jesus could give so their lives could be made easier. They missed the point. So Jesus told them directly,

“I am the bread of life.”NKJV If people wanted this bread, they must come to Jesus and believe in him. When Jesus used the words “I am,” he was pointing to his unique, divine identity. In essence this statement says, “I the Lord God am here to provide you with everything you need for your spiritual life.” Each of the “I am” statements (see chart on page 136) represent a particular aspect of this provision. For Jesus to say he is the Bread of Life is for him to say, “I am the sustenance of your life.”

“He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”NKJV Just as bread supplies our bodies with strength and nourishment, Jesus, the true bread from heaven, had come to strengthen and nourish his people —to change their lives, to bring spiritual and eternal life to all who would believe in him!

REAL SATISFACTION

Jesus offers the ultimate spiritual satisfaction: If we believe in him, we will never hunger or thirst. But we have heard the gospel wrong if we think Jesus offers an escape from life and its problems. Thousands of Christians still face physical hunger, and millions face crushing difficulties. The gospel frees us to face life. In the middle of the world’s pessimism and despair, the gospel unflinchingly claims that Jesus offers infinitely more than this life can give. We will be disappointed if we expect the presence of Jesus in us to mean that we are immune to sin, struggles, and failures. There are many ways to know hunger and thirst, and we will undoubtedly experience many of them. One of Jesus’ last statements was, “In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (16:33 NRSV).

6:36 “You have seen me and still you do not believe.”NIV According to this reading (which is found in some manuscripts), this emphasizes that the crowds had seen Jesus, the very Bread of Life, standing before them, and yet they did not believe in him. Other manuscripts read, “You have seen and still you do not believe.” This emphasizes that the crowds had seen the miracles Jesus did and still they did not believe. They had not only seen but eaten the multiplied bread and fish, but they resisted the necessary conclusion that he was divine.

Luke records Jesus telling the story of a poor man named Lazarus and how he begged for food outside the gate of a wealthy man’s house (Luke 16:19-31). Lazarus’s eternal reward was the company of Abraham, while the rich man found himself in hell. Eventually the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his loved ones of their imminent fate. Abraham replied, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31 NIV). Jesus told the story to teach that miracles cannot overcome hardness of heart. Jesus offered plenty of evidence for those willing to believe.

6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me.”NKJV In the Greek, the words all that are neuter singular, indicating the total body of believers for all time. The Father gives this collective group to the Son (see also 17:2, 24). Only those selected by God can come to the Son and believe in him. God’s Spirit enables them to come. All those who have been invited to come to Jesus and have done so can rest assured that God was at work in their lives.

“The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”NKJV While the first part of this verse speaks of the collective group of believers, this second part speaks about the individual. God’s Word assures us that Jesus will always welcome the sincere seeker, and the seeker who comes to believe will never be rejected (10:28-29).

OUR PLACE IN THE PLAN

The Father gives, the Son preserves, and we come. God’s foreknowledge is a part of his character that we must accept though we do not fully understand. We must ask ourselves: Am I one of those who has come to Christ? Whether or not we are among those whom the Father has given to the Son, or whether we are secure in Christ’s protection, depends on how we answered the first question —have we come? When we come to Jesus, we find great assurance in his promise that we will never be rejected.

6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”NKJV Jesus did not work independently of God the Father, but in union with him. This should give us even more assurance of being welcomed into God’s presence and being protected by him. All who respond positively to God’s call can be assured of his protection (see 17:11). The protection covers them in this life and for eternity. Our spiritual hunger and thirst are satisfied in this life, and we know in the future that we will be raised from the dead to live with Jesus forever. Yet the guarantee does not apply to superficial attachment. We must follow him wholeheartedly and commit our lives to him.

6:39 “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me.”NRSV As in verse 37, the Greek words for all that are neuter singular; they indicate the total collective entity of all believers. All those who are among this group of believers can be assured of God’s promise of eternal life. Christ will not let his people be overcome by Satan. However, this commitment must not be superficial, as was the “commitment” of those disciples who turned away (see 6:66).

6:40 “All who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”NRSV While the NRSV translators chose them for the final phrase to indicate all believers (though the Greek word is auton, meaning “him”), the NIV preserves him because Jesus was emphasizing personal response and individual belief. The same pattern appears as in verse 37, which goes from the collective entity of believers to the individual believer. God values each person. Jesus demonstrated how valuable we are by his teaching: God sent the Son to earth; the Son came to earth; the Son promised to both preserve and to resurrect the ones he received from the Father.

6:41-43 Then the Jews began to complain about him.NRSV When John says Jews, he is referring to the Jewish leaders who were hostile to Jesus, not to Jews in general. John himself was a Jew, and so was Jesus. The Jews in Jesus’ audience hardly heard a word he said about selection, protection, and resurrection, for they were offended by his claim to be the bread that came down from heaven.

“I am the bread that came down from heaven.”NRSV They said to one another, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”NRSV What they concluded was logical: “If we know this man’s parents, how can he be from heaven?” But they didn’t know Jesus’ parentage. They missed what their own Scriptures had prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (NKJV).

Jesus had moved from Nazareth to Capernaum at the beginning of his ministry (see Matthew 4:13; Mark 1:21; John 2:12). Most likely, his parents and siblings had gone with him. The Jews in Capernaum knew Jesus’ parents, and therefore they thought they knew who Jesus was —the son of Joseph.

“Do not complain among yourselves.”NIV Jesus told the people to stop grumbling and complaining among themselves. Not one of them could know his true identity if the Father had not revealed it to him. Jesus relied on this revelation.

EXCUSE OR REASON

If we listen carefully, we will hear people admiring Jesus in some way while refusing to submit to him. They might say, “He’s a great teacher, but I don’t believe he’s God.” Some so-called Christians or a respected leader or minister may have let them down or even abused them in some way. Perhaps a parent modeled a contradictory message of religious superficiality alongside violent behavior. Pain creates very real obstacles. We must not deny the pain in ourselves or in others, but pain and disappointment must not keep people from Jesus. Beyond whatever obstacles come between us and Jesus, we must honestly ask, Is what happened an excuse to reject Jesus or a reason to run to him?

THE JEWS DISAGREE THAT JESUS IS FROM HEAVEN / 6:41-59 / 100

Many of the crowd in Capernaum that day could not believe their ears. They knew this man’s family, yet he claimed to be the Son of God. To them, Jesus’ delusion seemed obvious. In their minds, Jesus was a local product with interesting powers and unusual authority, but was audacious when it came to speaking about himself. Jesus responded with uncompromising directness. He required then, as he requires now, an unconditional acceptance of his lordship. Any attempt to soften his claim amounts to rejection of his central message.

6:44-45 “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.”NRSV A person cannot come to Jesus if he has not been drawn by the Father, taught by the Father, heard from the Father, and learned from the Father. God, not the person, plays the most active role in salvation. When someone chooses to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, he or she does so only in response to the urging of God’s Holy Spirit. Thus no one can believe in Jesus without God’s help. If a person comes, the Father has drawn him or her.

When Jesus quoted from the prophets saying, “They shall all be taught by God,” he was alluding to an Old Testament view of the messianic kingdom where all people would be taught directly by God (Isaiah 54:13; Jeremiah 31:31-34). He was stressing the importance of not merely hearing, but learning. We are taught by God through the Bible, our experiences, the thoughts the Holy Spirit brings, and relationships with other Christians. Are you open to God’s teaching?

6:46 “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.”NIV Jesus’ previous statement about people being taught by God (and listening to and learning from the Father) does not mean that any mortal could actually see God the Father. Only Jesus has come from God’s presence, and only he has seen the Father. This last statement in itself implies divine privileges —for no man has ever seen God (see 1:18; 1 Timothy 6:15-16).

6:47 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”NKJV Jesus makes it plain that the believer has eternal life, starting now. Believes in these verses means “continues to believe.” We do not believe merely once; we keep on believing in and trusting Jesus.

6:48 “I am the bread of life.”NKJV This is one of Jesus’ remarkable “I am” declarations (see the summary chart on page 136). No one else but Jesus is the Bread that gives eternal life.

6:49-50 “Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.”NRSV The religious leaders frequently asked Jesus to prove to them why he was better than the prophets they already had. Earlier in this chapter (6:30-31), they had used Moses and the supply of manna in the wilderness as a standard for measuring Jesus. Jesus refused their challenge. Manna was a physical and temporal bread. The people ate it and were sustained for a day. But they had to get more bread every day, and this bread could not keep them from dying.

Without demeaning Moses’ role, Jesus was presenting himself as the spiritual bread from heaven that satisfies completely and leads to eternal life. Again, the personal effectiveness of this Bread comes not from seeing it or from recognizing its heavenly origin, but from taking it in —eating it.

6:51 “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”NRSV To give of his flesh meant Jesus gave over his body to death on the cross, so that by his death the world could have life. To eat the living bread means to accept Christ into our lives and become united with him. We are united with Christ in two ways: (1) by believing in his death (the sacrifice of his flesh) and resurrection and (2) by devoting ourselves each day to living as he requires, depending on his teaching for guidance, and trusting in the Holy Spirit for power. Just as the Jews depended on bread for daily strength and relished it as a main part of their diet, so we should depend on and desire the living Christ in our daily lives.

6:52-53 “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”NIV Instead of directly telling them how he could give them his flesh to eat (6:52), Jesus reemphasized the necessity of eating his flesh and —he here added —also drinking his blood. No one could receive his life until the giver died by shedding his own life’s blood. Thus, Jesus wants us to accept, receive, even assimilate the significance of his death in order to receive eternal life. Christians do this frequently when they commemorate the Lord’s Supper and take to heart Jesus’ words, “Take, eat, this is my body . . . drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28 NRSV). But Christians should not limit this to only the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (or Eucharist); Christians can partake of Jesus anytime.

6:54-55 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.”NRSV The person who feeds on Jesus’ flesh (said to be the true food,NRSV and drinks his blood (said to be true drink,NRSV is one who accepts by faith Jesus’ sacrificial death and thereby receives eternal life.

6:56 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”NRSV This is the first mention in this Gospel of “mutual indwelling” (that is, a simultaneous indwelling of two persons in each other, also known as “coinherence”). When we receive Jesus, he lives in us and we live in him.

6:57 “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.”NIV Here Jesus pointed to his relationship with the Father as a model of the vital union he would share with each believer. As the Son depends upon the living Father for his life and lives because of the Father, so the believer who feeds on Jesus will live because of Jesus.

6:58 “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”NRSV This verse summarizes the discourse and repeats the major points of Jesus’ message. He again contrasted himself as the Bread that gives life with the manna that could not give eternal life to those Israelites who ate it.

6:59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.NIV The Greek expression underlying in the synagogue is literally “in synagogue.” The absence of the article in the Greek may indicate a gathering, not necessarily in the synagogue.

MANY DISCIPLES DESERT JESUS / 6:60-71 / 101

Those listening to Jesus were experiencing a crisis in their determination to follow him. Many of his actions thus far had been attractive, though sometimes curious. But all this talk of consuming his body and blood was difficult to stomach. Jesus’ claims forced his followers to examine their real motives and the depth of their commitment.

John made it clear that the problem of acceptance was among the disciples, not the Jewish leaders. He was warning later disciples against being superficial or shallow followers. At times the way may become difficult and confusing. When that happens, will we persevere or fall by the way?

6:60

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”NRSV At this time in Jesus’ ministry, he had several followers who could loosely be called his disciples (see 4:1). These “disciples” were not the Twelve, and many of them would not receive his message.

6:61 Jesus, knowing that his listeners were struggling, asked, “Does this offend you?”NKJV, or more literally, “Does this cause you to stumble?” (The Greek word skandalizo means “to ensnare, to trap, to cause to stumble”; it is often used in the New Testament to indicate a falling away into unbelief. See, for example, Matthew 13:21; 24:10; Mark 6:3; Romans 14:20-21.)

HARSH WORDS

The motive behind Jesus’ harsh words is not difficult to see —he wanted people to count the cost of following him (Luke 14:25-33). His words shocked and challenged. They were not comfortable half-truths, but hard-edged truth. Those who follow Jesus in hopes of feeling good always will be disappointed sooner or later. Only those who find in Jesus the rock-solid truth will be able to weather the difficulties of living in this fallen world. If our central motive for following Jesus isn’t because he is the Truth, we too will be disappointed.

Earlier, in answering questions that John the Baptist had asked through messengers, Jesus made this pointed remark, “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over me” (Matthew 11:6 NASB). Jesus was keenly aware that those not ready to respond fully to him would stumble over him or be offended by him. Remember that it is possible to be offensive in the way we communicate the gospel, for which we would be at fault. But if we present Jesus lovingly and honestly, we must neither be shocked nor feel guilty if the Good News offends someone.

6:62

“Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?”NRSV They didn’t believe that Jesus came down from heaven. If they saw him return and go back up to heaven, would they then believe? According to verse 65, they would not, for they were not true believers. Jesus had been purposely harsh so as to separate the true believers from those who were accompanying him for the wrong reasons. Some sought a new political party; others thought Jesus might lead a revolt against Rome; still others were simply fascinated with theological discussions. All of these thoughts were potential starting points of interest in Jesus, but they were not enough to make people real disciples.

6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”NIV This statement gives us the key to interpreting Jesus’ discourse. His hearers had not understood the spiritual intent of his message. Some of them may have taken Jesus’ words about eating his flesh literally; thus, Jesus’ clarification, the flesh counts for nothing. This statement also applies to the correct mode of interpretation: A fleshly interpretation of his words would yield nothing; one must apply a spiritual interpretation to Spirit-inspired words.

Jesus had used similar terms in defining the new birth to Nicodemus, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (3:6), making the point in both places that effort that begins with the desires and objectives of human wisdom cannot arrive at the kind of life that the “Spirit gives.” Jesus’ very words are spirit (pneuma) and life (zoe); therefore, we must depend on the life-giving Spirit to appropriate Jesus’ words. Peter was one such believer who came to realize that Jesus had the words of eternal life (see 6:68).

6:64

“But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe.NRSV From the beginning of his ministry Jesus knew that some of the ones following him were not believers in his true identity as the Son of God come from heaven.

Jesus also knew from the first the one that would betray him.NRSV This was Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot (6:70). For a moment, John interrupts with a brief word of explanation for his original readers and us. Jesus included Judas in every facet of his ministry, knowing all the time that he would not respond to the living truth. Jesus’ treatment of Judas was consistent with his own character, rather than according to what Judas deserved for his unwillingness to believe.

6:65 “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”NRSV This repeats (hence the imperfect tense, “was saying”) what Jesus had declared before (see 6:44-45). The signs in themselves, no matter how remarkable, are not completely convincing. Some believe through seeing and others believe though not seeing, but all require God’s assistance (20:29).

6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.NIV Several followers decided to not follow anymore. Within sight of the kingdom of heaven, privileged with a taste of the Bread of Life, and watching the living water flow, they nevertheless walked away. In a short sentence, John captured one of the saddest moments in the ministry of Jesus.

TEMPTED TO TURN

Why did Jesus’ words cause many of his followers to desert him?

  • They may have realized that he wasn’t going to be the conquering Messiah-King they expected.
  • He refused to give in to their self-centered requests.
  • He emphasized faith, not deeds.
  • His teachings were difficult to accept, and some of his words were offensive.

As we grow in our faith, we may be tempted to turn away because Jesus’ lessons are difficult. When discouragement, doubt, or confusion set in, will our response be to give up, ignore certain teachings, or reject Christ? Instead, we must consistently ask God to show us what the teachings mean and how they apply to our lives. We must then have the courage to act on God’s truth.

6:67 Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”NKJV According to the Greek, this question expects a negative answer. Jesus knew their weaknesses and how little they really understood. He knew that one of them would not only go away, but betray him also. Yet he also knew that God had chosen eleven to believe in him.

We can’t stay on middle ground about Jesus. When he asked the disciples if they would also leave, he was showing them that he was not taking their faith for granted. Jesus never tried to repel people with his teachings. He simply told the truth. The more the people heard Jesus’ real message, the more they divided into two camps —the honest seekers wanting to understand more, and those rejecting Jesus because they didn’t like what they heard.

6:68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”NKJV After many of Jesus’ followers had deserted him, he asked the twelve disciples if they also would leave. Peter replied, “To whom shall we go?” In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us —there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. There is nowhere else to go. The true disciples had found the only one who spoke the words that give eternal life.

THE SOURCE

Peter’s declaration was a statement of faith, not a claim of complete understanding. He was convinced that when Jesus spoke, the truth about eternal life flowed in his words. Peter wanted what Jesus had to give. His simple affirmation presents us with two challenges:

  1. Do we (or those people we would like to reach) really desire eternal life? For many, eternity is an unattractive subject. Life is going so well. Death and disease are usually distant and unreal. Relationships, pleasures, and possessions are too cherished to even think about forsaking. The fact that we will be dead infinitely longer than we have lived is denied for as long as possible.
  2. Are we holding out for eternal life through another way? Some people avoid thinking about eternal life by denying its existence outright. In fact, many religious systems do not have a concept of eternal life. Those that do, make the requirements unclear or beyond attainment.

Jesus’ words are the only source of eternal life: “I am the bread of life. . . . If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (6:48, 51, NIV).

6:69 “We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”NIV Peter’s declaration parallels the one he made at Caesarea Philippi, but each of the synoptic Gospels gives a slightly different version of Peter’s words (see Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). Peter was actually saying more than he knew. The descriptive words he blurted out to tell Jesus how he and the other disciples felt about him conveys both Peter’s impulsive nature and his genuine impression of Christ. First, he called Jesus “Lord” (6:68). To this he added: (1) there’s no one else like you; (2) you have the truth about eternal life; (3) we have believed; (4) we know that you are the Holy One of God. Peter was doing the best he could to describe Jesus in a category separate from anyone else who ever lived.

Like Peter’s, our own understanding of Jesus must expand as we live for him. When we first believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, our understanding will be real but limited. But as time passes, our awareness of the breadth and depth of Jesus’ saving work and his lordship ought to grow.

6:70-71 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him.NKJV Peter may have thought he was speaking for the Twelve, but not so. One among them —Judas Iscariot —was a devil, the traitor who would betray Jesus. According to 13:2 and 27, Satan put the idea into Judas’s heart to betray Jesus and then entered Judas to instigate the actual betrayal. Diabolos (6:70) means “slanderous, devilish,” and having Satan’s nature and qualities. Judas gave in to evil thinking and came under the control of the devil.

John reminded his first readers about what was at stake. Almost every word of teaching uttered by Jesus was given in the context of intense spiritual drama. Heaven must have held its breath as humans tried to figure out Jesus’ true identity.

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

In response to Jesus’ message, some people left; others stayed and truly believed; and some, like Judas, stayed but tried to use Jesus for personal gain. Many people today turn away from Christ when they discern his real message. Others pretend to follow, going to church for status, approval of family and friends, or business contacts. We have only two choices for responding to Jesus —we either accept him or reject him. Have you accepted or rejected Christ?

About this Study Bible

Life Application Bible Commentary (NT) cover
Life Application Bible Commentary (NT)

Tyndale

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