John 6 - King James Version Bible Commentary

Jn 6:1-9. Christ went across the Sea of Galilee to the vicinity of Bethsaida (Lk 9:10). The multitudes, impressed by His miracles, followed Him. Jesus went up into a mountain. From His high vantage point, Christ observed the crowd approaching and asked Philip if they had bread for the people to eat. Bread (Gr artos, flat, round bread like the shape of pancakes). Christ explained why He asked this question—to prove him (Gr peirazo¯, to put him to the test). The Lord knew what he would do and is now putting Philip’s faith to the test (Jas 1:2). A pennyworth (Gr de¯narios) was equivalent to one day’s wages (Mt 20:2, Mt 20:9, Mt 20:13). Philip claims that two hundred days of wages would not be enough to give each a little. Andrew brings a lad (not necessarily a little boy) who has five barley loaves, and two small fishes. Andrew recognizes that this is so little to meet the need of so many. One commentator describes the problem this way: “Duty is not measured by ability, and ability is not measured by the sum-total of our resources” (J. D. Jones, The Gospel According to St. Mark, Scripture Truth).

Jn 6:10-11. Christ now takes command of the situation and has everyone sit down. The Lord gave thanks. Note the prayer of thanksgiving occurs before the miracle. The miracle provided as much as they would, whereas Philip’s faith was so little.

Jn 6:12-14. The sufficiency of the miracle did not mean waste. All the leftovers were to be collected that nothing be lost. One should never waste God’s blessings. The people saw the miracle (Gr se¯meion, sign) and were impressed: They proclaimed Him as that prophet (Deut 18:15-18) and probably thought Him to be the Messiah.

Jn 6:15. Enthusiastic about this prophet, they are ready to make Him king, even to the point of kidnapping Him. But Christ’s kingdom was not of this world (Jn 18:36). Thus He went into a mountain himself alone.

Jn 6:16-18. The disciples put out to sea, but were hindered by the darkness and by a great wind that blew. The wind would blow strongly through the narrow gorges between the hills causing severe storms.

Jn 6:19-21. They rowed twenty or thirty furlongs (Gr stadion), about a total of three or four miles. They saw Christ walking toward them on the water. The One who had fed five thousand was about to meet the needs of these twelve disciples. It is I; be not afraid (present imperative, “stop being afraid”). Matthew describes Peter’s walking on the water (Mt 14:28-31). Although the disciples were far from the land when Jesus entered the boat, another miracle occurred: immediately (Gr eutheo¯s) the ship was at the land. Christ demonstrated His power over gravity (walking on the water), over the storm (stilling the winds), and over space (bringing the ship to land).

Jn 6:22-25. The day following, those who had been fed by Jesus began looking for Him. Since they knew He did not cross the lake with His disciples, they were puzzled at His disappearing. They began a search that ended in Capernaum and they asked Christ, when camest thou hither? These people still had the desire to make Christ king.

Jn 6:26. Christ rebuked their motives. He stated that although the people had seen the signs, they had not accepted them for what they were (proof of His true messiahship), and they were only interested in the physical.

Jn 6:27. Labor not (Gr present imperative, “stop working for”) the physical bread which perisheth. Rather, they should work for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, or work for the real food which produces everlasting life. That food is Christ Himself. His authority to give everlasting life rested in the seal (testimony) of the Father through His signs and miracles.

Jn 6:28-31. These people are confused. Christ offered to give them eternal life and they wanted to know what to do. Christ answered that acceptance with God or the work of God was to believe on him. The work is not something man does for God, but it is the act of receiving what God has done for man. The Jews ask for a sign to prove that they should believe on him. This shows what the Jews were thinking. They knew that Christ had made more bread out of already existing bread. Their claim was that Moses had done greater miracles than Christ; he had brought bread from heaven. Now, if Christ wanted these Jews to believe on him, He had better perform a greater sign than Moses.

Jn 6:32-35. Christ explains that the manna which Moses gave is of different character than the true bread. The true bread is a person, he which cometh, and is capable of giving life. The Jews want this bread, but they still think it is merely physical bread much like Moses’ manna. Christ identifies Himself as the bread of life. The life spoken of is spiritual and not physical. To partake of this life means that one’s spiritual hunger and thirst will be fully satisfied. Note the verbs cometh and believeth, indicating salvation.

Jn 6:36-38. They had seen Him but had not believed. All who were given (Gr pas, with participle; lit., Everything which the Father gives to me will come to me) describes God’s sovereignty in salvation. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out emphasizes human responsibility. Here Christ emphasizes the unity of the Father’s will and the Son’s will. To reject the Son is to reject the Father.

Jn 6:39-40. The Father’s will revealed is the preservation of those who believe. A person cannot fall from grace. Everlasting life guarantees security because this is the Father’s will. No one will be lost. Note the following references: Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 1:6; II Timothy 2:19; I Peter 1:4-5.

Jn 6:41-42. The Jews murmured (Gr songuzo¯, whispered) at these unusual claims of Christ. From a human perspective, Christ could not have descended from heaven because these people knew His human heritage. The Jews are almost cynical in their attitude. “Why, we have known you from your childhood, and now you make these ridiculous claims expecting us to believe in you.”

Jn 6:43-44. Christ returns to His message of life. In order for a person to come to the Bread of Life, the Father must draw him. This verb (Gr helkuo¯) is also translated draw in the sense of “dragged” (Acts 16:19; Ac 21:30). People cannot be saved at all unless God through the Holy Spirit draws them.

Jn 6:45-47. Christ describes this drawing process. It is accomplished through the Bible. When a man hears and learns, he comes to the Father. Salvation is impossible apart from hearing the Word of God. It is through this preaching that God draws people to Himself (Isa 54:13). The learning does not mean complete knowledge of the Father; this complete knowledge is only for the Son.

Jn 6:48. See notes on verse Jn 6:35.

Jn 6:49-50. Moses’ manna was not eternal (see vss. Jn 6:32-35). In contrast to Moses’ manna, this true Bread will not let man die.

Jn 6:51. Christ further describes this Bread. It is His flesh. He clearly refers to His vicarious death on the cross that will provide life for the world.

Jn 6:52. The Jews are still thinking of eating physical food rather than spiritual food.

Jn 6:53-54. Christ complicates the situation further by adding except ye … drink his blood. The Jews were forbidden to drink blood (Lev 7:26-27) and this additional statement must have added insult to injury. However, the Jews misunderstood. Leviticus 17:11 clearly states that life is in the blood. Accepting the sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ is the basis for eternal life.

Jn 6:55-58. As food and drink are offered to meet physical needs, so the flesh (meat) and blood of Christ are offered to meet spiritual needs. To assimilate this spiritual bread and drink is to be affected both spiritually (life) and physically (raised in the last day).

Jn 6:59. This message was preached at the synagogue in Capernaum.

Jn 6:60. The disciples were offended by the thought of eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood (hard saying). These disciples are a general group larger than the Twelve.

Jn 6:61-62. Christ asks them if they would accept the fact that He came from heaven when they see Him return to heaven.

Jn 6:63. Christ now explains. He did not intend for them to eat physically of His flesh; that would profit nothing. Rather, it is His spirit (person) which gives life. The words He spoke were spirit and life. They were not dead, but they carried the potential of producing life. Accept what He said (His words) and they would have life.

Jn 6:64-65. Unbelief stopped people from coming to Him. They did not accept His words and, consequently, they would not draw to Him (cf. vs. Jn 6:44).

Jn 6:66. Many of those who were impressed by the signs now left Christ because of their unbelief.

Jn 6:67. Christ turns to the Twelve and wants to know if they will also go away. This question is phrased in such a way as to expect a negative answer.

Jn 6:68. Peter had understood the teaching of his Master. The message of Christ was not dead words to Peter, but they were full of spirit and life and were the words of eternal life.

Jn 6:69. We believe and are sure. Peter had partaken of the Bread of Life and had assurance of that belief. Assurance always follows true salvation (I Jn 5:13). Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ (the anointed, holy, and chosen One).

Jn 6:70-71. Jesus knows that not all the Twelve have accepted Him. One was a devil (Gr diabolos, slanderer, false accuser).

The chapter ends differently than it begins. It begins with the crowds wanting to make Him king and closes with Christ questioning whether His Twelve will leave Him, as everyone else. The Twelve affirm their confidence through Peter, but even one of them is a devil and will eventually betray the Bread of Life.