John 6 - Wiersbe Study Bible

6:1–15 In this passage there are four possible solutions to the need: First, the disciples suggested that Jesus send the people away (Mark 6:35,36). The second solution came from Philip in response to our Lord’s “test question” (John 6:5): raise enough money to buy food for the people. The third solution came from Andrew, but he was not quite sure how the problem would be solved. He found a young boy who had a small lunch: two fish and five barley cakes. The fourth solution came from our Lord, and it was the true solution. He took the boy’s lunch, blessed it, broke it, handed it out to His disciples, and they fed the whole crowd!

6:11 It is significant that twice John mentioned the fact that Jesus gave thanks (vv. 11,23). Matthew, Mark, and Luke all state that Jesus looked up to heaven when He gave thanks. By that act, He reminded the hungry people that God is the source of all good and needful gifts. This is a good lesson for us: instead of complaining about what we do not have, we should give thanks to God for what we do have, and He will make it go further.

6:14 The practical lesson is this: whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest. Begin with what you have, but be sure you give it all to Him. That little lad is to be commended for sharing his lunch with Christ, and his mother is to be commended for giving him something to give to Jesus. The gift of that little snack meant as much to Jesus as the pouring out of the expensive ointment (12:1–11).

6:15 As you read the gospel records, note that our Lord was never impressed by the great crowds. He knew that their motives were not pure and that most of them followed Him in order to watch His miracles of healing. “Bread and circuses” was Rome’s formula for keeping the people happy, and people today are satisfied with that kind of diet. Give them food and entertainment and they are happy. Rome set aside ninety-three days each year for public games at government expense. It was cheaper to entertain the crowds than to fight them or jail them.

6:16–21 Sometimes we are caught in a storm because we have disobeyed the Lord. Jonah is a good example. But sometimes the storm comes because we have obeyed the Lord. When that happens, we can be sure that our Savior will pray for us, come to us, and deliver us. In writing the account of this event years later, perhaps John saw in it a picture of Christ and His church. Christ is in heaven interceding for us, but we are in the midst of the storms of life, trying to reach the shore. One day, He will come for us and we shall reach the port safely, the storms all past.

6:22–40 The disciples may have been impressed that so many people stayed through a storm in order to seek their Master, but Jesus was not impressed. He knows the human heart. He knew that the people originally followed Him because of His miracles (v. 2), but now their motive was to get fed! Even if they were attracted only by the miracles, at least there was still a possibility they might be saved. After all, that is where Nicodemus started (3:1,2). But now their interest had degenerated to the level of basest self-satisfaction—food.

6:27 Jesus pointed out that there are two kinds of food: food for the body, which is necessary but not the most important, and food for the inner man, the spirit, which is essential. What the people needed was not food but life, and life is a gift. Food only sustains life, but Jesus gives eternal life. The words of Isaiah come to mind: “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Is. 55:2).

6:32,33 In His reply, our Lord sought to deepen the people’s understanding of the truth. It was God, not Moses, who gave the manna, so they must take their eyes off Moses and focus them on God. Also, God gave the manna in the past, but the Father is now giving the true bread in the person of Jesus Christ. The past event is finished, but the present spiritual experience goes on! Then Jesus clearly identified what the bread is: He is the true Living Bread that came down from heaven. He came not only for Israel but for the whole world.

6:35 In His reply to their impetuous request, Jesus used two key words that often appear in this sermon: come and believe. To come to Jesus means to believe on Him, and to believe on Him means to come to Him. Believing is not merely an intellectual thing, giving mental assent to some doctrine. It means to come to Christ and yield yourself to Him. At the close of His sermon, Jesus illustrated coming and believing by speaking about eating and drinking. To come to Christ and believe on Him means to receive Him within, just as you receive food and drink.

6:37–40 In answering the people’s request for continual bread, Jesus explained the process of personal salvation. These are among the most profound words He ever spoke, and we cannot hope to plumb their depths completely. He explained that salvation involves both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The Father gives men and women to the Son (vv. 37,39; 17:2,6,9,11,12,24), but these men and women must come to Him, that is, believe on Him.

6:47–51 When Jesus called Himself “the bread of life” (v. 35), He was not claiming to be exactly like the manna. He was claiming to be even greater! The manna only sustained life for the Jews, but Jesus gives life to the whole world. The Jews ate the daily manna and eventually died, but when you receive Jesus Christ within, you live forever. When God gave the manna, He gave only a gift, but when Jesus came, He gave Himself. There was no cost to God in sending the manna each day, but He gave His Son at great cost. The Jews had to eat the manna every day, but the sinner who trusts Christ once is given eternal life.

6:53 How do we “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood”? Through the Word. “So the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14). Jesus connected His Word with His life: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (6:63). “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life” (5:24). The scribes who knew Jeremiah 31:31–34 would have understood the concept of receiving God’s Word into one’s inner being.

6:60–67 The preaching of the Word of God always leads to a sifting of the hearts of the listeners. God draws sinners to the Savior through the power of truth, His Word. Those who reject the Word will reject the Savior. Those who receive the Word will receive the Savior and experience the new birth, eternal life.