John 6

John 6 presents some of Jesus’ most remarkable miracles and teachings. The chapter begins with the miraculous feeding of five thousand people, followed by Jesus walking on water, and culminates in His profound discourse on being the “bread of life.” This chapter emphasizes Jesus as the sustainer of both physical and spiritual life, highlighting the necessity of faith in Him for eternal life. Through signs and teachings, Jesus invites people to move beyond physical needs to embrace the deeper, spiritual sustenance He offers.

John 6:1-10 (NKJV)
1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.
5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Jesus saw the approaching crowd and tested Philip’s faith by asking how they could feed everyone. Philip’s response shows a focus on the limited resources, revealing his uncertainty. Andrew introduced a small offering—a boy’s food—demonstrating a sliver of hope but acknowledging its insufficiency. Jesus’ instruction to have everyone sit down reflects His orderly approach and sets the stage for a miracle that will reveal His divine provision and abundance.

John 6:11-13 (NKJV)
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish after giving thanks, illustrating the power of gratitude and divine provision. The crowd ate until satisfied, and the disciples collected the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. This abundance not only met the immediate need but symbolized God’s limitless resources, reinforcing that with Jesus, there is more than enough. The gathering of leftovers reflects a principle of stewardship, where nothing given by God is wasted.

John 6:14-15 (NKJV)
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.”
15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

Seeing the miraculous provision, the crowd recognized Jesus as a prophet and wanted to make Him king, associating Him with their messianic expectations. However, Jesus withdrew, aware that their desire was rooted in political aspirations rather than spiritual understanding. His retreat underscores His purpose: He came not to be an earthly king but to fulfill a heavenly mission of salvation.

John 6:16-21 (NKJV)
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.
20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

In the midst of a storm, the disciples struggled, but Jesus approached them, walking on the water, calming their fears with the words, “It is I; do not be afraid.” This act showed His mastery over nature, reassuring the disciples of His divine presence and protection. When they welcomed Him into the boat, they immediately reached their destination, symbolizing the peace and guidance that come when one accepts Jesus amidst life’s storms.

John 6:22-27 (NKJV)
22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—
23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—
24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

The crowd, eager to find Jesus, sought Him primarily for the physical benefits of His miracles. Jesus, however, challenged their motives, urging them to pursue spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life, rather than temporary satisfaction. By highlighting the “food which endures to everlasting life,” He directed them to seek a deeper relationship with God through faith in Him, the One marked by the Father’s seal of approval.

John 6:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

The people asked what actions they should take to fulfill God’s will, expecting a list of works or rituals. Jesus responded by simplifying their task: the essential “work” is to believe in Him, the One sent by God. This shifted the focus from religious actions to genuine faith in Jesus, underscoring that faith, rather than deeds, is the foundation of a relationship with God.

John 6:30-33 (NKJV)
30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

The crowd requested a sign, recalling the manna God provided through Moses. Jesus clarified that it was not Moses but God who provided manna, and now God offers true “bread from heaven”—Himself, who brings spiritual and eternal life. By identifying Himself as this “bread,” Jesus emphasized that He is the ultimate sustenance sent from God to satisfy humanity’s spiritual hunger.

John 6:34-35 (NKJV)
34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

The people, still thinking of physical bread, asked for this provision. Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life,” shifting from physical needs to spiritual sustenance. He explained that those who come to Him will find complete fulfillment, symbolized as never hungering or thirsting again. This statement revealed Jesus as the source of eternal satisfaction and life.

John 6:36-40 (NKJV)
36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Jesus acknowledged the crowd’s unbelief despite witnessing His works. He reassured that all given to Him by the Father will be accepted and preserved. Jesus’ mission aligns with the Father’s will: to grant eternal life to those who believe in Him and to ensure they are raised on the last day. This promise highlights both the security of faith in Jesus and the hope of resurrection.

John 6:41-42 (NKJV)
41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”
42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

The people struggled with Jesus’ claim to be from heaven, viewing Him as merely the son of Joseph. Their familiarity with His earthly family made it difficult to accept His divine origin. This resistance reflects a common barrier to faith: reliance on physical understanding, which can hinder recognition of spiritual truths.

John 6:43-47 (NKJV)
43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.
47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”

Jesus explained that belief in Him is possible only through the Father’s drawing. This divine invitation leads those who respond into eternal life. By quoting the prophets, Jesus emphasized that true understanding and coming to Him are the result of God’s teaching and revelation, culminating in faith that brings everlasting life.

John 6:48-51 (NKJV)
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

Jesus compared Himself to manna, explaining that while manna sustained the Israelites temporarily, He, the “living bread,” offers eternal life. His reference to giving His flesh foreshadowed His sacrificial death, emphasizing that His life and sacrifice are the means to eternal life. Here, Jesus deepened the concept of “bread” to include His role as Savior.

John 6:52-59 (NKJV)
52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

Jesus’ words here pointed to the intimate, life-giving relationship required with Him. “Eating” His flesh and “drinking” His blood symbolized accepting His sacrifice and internalizing His teachings. This teaching, though difficult for many to grasp, emphasized that true life comes from spiritual union with Jesus and reliance on His sacrifice.

John 6:60-66 (NKJV)
60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?
62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Many disciples found Jesus’ words difficult and left. Jesus emphasized that His teachings are spiritual truths meant to impart life through faith. By underscoring that the Spirit gives life, He clarified that His words pointed to spiritual realities, not literal actions. This moment revealed the distinction between true disciples, who understand by faith, and those seeking only physical benefits.

John 6:67-71 (NKJV)
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

In response to Jesus’ question, Peter’s declaration affirmed the disciples’ faith in Jesus as the source of eternal life and the Messiah. Jesus, however, hinted at Judas’ future betrayal, acknowledging the presence of unbelief even among the chosen twelve. This final interaction underscores the depth of commitment required to follow Jesus and foreshadows the events leading to the cross.