John 6 - The King James Study Bible

6:1. Tiberias: John is the only gospel writer to call this sea “Tiberias.” Following the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), the Sea of Galilee was renamed Tiberias, after Tiberias Caesar (Luke 3:1), who ruled A.D. 14–37.

6:2–14. The feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish is the only miracle included in all four of the Gospels (Matt. 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17). John’s is the only gospel to mention Philip, Andrew, and the lad.

6:4. This is the third passover during Jesus’ ministry. See 2:13; 5:1.

6:7. Two hundred pennyworth: Two hundred denarii was two hundred days’ wages. The denarius (“penny”) was the average day’s wage of a working man.

6:15–24. The Jews attempted to make Jesus a King (v. 15). Hunger was common and a Messiah who could multiply food was the one most people were ready to follow. Jesus departed to a mountain. Other gospels add to pray.

6:19. The disciples took a boat from Tiberias to Capernaum. During the night Jesus came to them walking on the sea. Only Matthew (14:25–31) tells of Peter’s walking on the water on this occasion.

6:27. Meat which endureth: See the water that satisfies in 4:14; 6:28,29.

6:28. The works of God meant to believe on Jesus (Heb. 11:6; Rom. 14:23b).

6:35. I am the bread of life means the bread that gives life. The life of which He speaks is spiritual and eternal.

6:38. I came down from heaven is another indication of Jesus’ deity (cf. 3:13).

6:53. Blood: The Jews were forbidden to drink blood (Lev. 7:26,27). This was a “hard saying” (v. 60) because they missed His point (cf. Lev. 17:11). Jesus came to bring and sustain spiritual life, yet they were still thinking of physical life (cf. v. 63).

6:64. Betray refers primarily to Judas, who has not yet been named in this gospel, but will be in verses 70,71.

6:67. Here is the first mention of the twelve in John’s gospel (cf. Mark 3; Luke 6). Only five of them have been named thus far: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael (vv. 68,69). Perhaps this is John’s account of the confession of Simon Peter at Caesarea Philippi (cf. Matt. 16:16).

6:70. Devil (Gr. diabolos, “adversary” or “devil”) means “slanderer.” Compare this with 13:27, “Satan entered into him.”

6:71. This is the first occasion in John where Peter and Judas appear in contrast (cf. vv. 68,69). See also chapters 13 and 18.