John 6
People's New Testament
After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
6:1 Christ, the Bread of Life

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:

The Five Thousand Fed. The Multitude Seek to Make Jesus a King. Jesus in the Mountain Alone. The Disciples in the Storm. Jesus Comes to Save in the Storm. The Discourse in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The Bread of Life.

After these things. Not immediately after, but at a later period. It was probably nearly two years after the miracle at the pool of Bethesda.

Jesus went over the sea of Galilee. The scene of his ministry had changed from Jerusalem to the inland lake, or sea, around which he loved to linger. John cites the fact that it was also called the Sea of Tiberias. The latter name was then better known to Gentile readers.

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
6:2-13 And a great multitude followed him. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, which follows, is the only miracle of the Savior recorded by all the four Gospels. It is found in Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:30-44 Lu 9:10-17 From a comparison of the accounts we learn that it took place after the death of John the Baptist, and hence as late as the third year of our Lord's ministry. We gain from John the information that it occurred near the passover, that is, in the early spring, about one year before the death of the Savior.
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
6:12 Gather up the fragments that remain. God does not allow wastefulness. Nature wastes nothing, not an ounce of matter. It is the waste of man that causes want. There is food enough for all. The waste of our nation is appalling;--USD800,000,000 per year in liquor; USD200,000,000 on tobacco, besides all the extravagance of life. Christ bids us save; save the fragments. It is by wasting the fragments that the great wastes occurs.
Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
6:14 This is of a truth that prophet. The long expected prophet, foretold in De 18:15,16, and referred to by the delegation sent to visit John the Baptist (Joh 1:21). This expected prophet was to be the king of Israel, the head of the kingdom of God on the earth. In other words, they said: This is the Christ.
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
6:15 Perceived that they would come... to make him a king. Convinced that he was Christ, they sought to proclaim him king, to raise his standard, and establish his government. To escape their well meant efforts Jesus retired to a mountain alone. We learn elsewhere that he went to pray (Mt 14:23 Mr 6:46).
And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
6:16-21 His disciples went down unto the sea. For notes on this storm on the sea, and the Lord coming to his disciples in the storm, see Mt 14:22-31. Compare Mr 6:46-54.
And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
6:16-21 His disciples went down unto the sea. For notes on this storm on the sea, and the Lord coming to his disciples in the storm, see Mt 14:22-31. Compare Mr 6:46-54.
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
6:16-21 His disciples went down unto the sea. For notes on this storm on the sea, and the Lord coming to his disciples in the storm, see Mt 14:22-31. Compare Mr 6:46-54.
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
6:16-21 His disciples went down unto the sea. For notes on this storm on the sea, and the Lord coming to his disciples in the storm, see Mt 14:22-31. Compare Mr 6:46-54.
But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
6:20 It is I; be not afraid. This is the gospel message of peace, on the ground--the simple ground-- It is I. Christ's presence is peace to the soul. How often has he to speak this word of encouragement, even to his own! almost always when they are brought suddenly, or in an unusual way, face to face with him!
Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
6:22 The day following. The day after the miracle, when five thousand were fed, and after the night storm on the sea of Galilee.

The people which stood on the other side of the sea and been fed, remained awhile because there were no other vessels, and the more willingly, because they saw that Jesus had not gone with his disciples.

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
6:23 Tiberias. The largest city on the sea, built by Herod, and named after Tiberius Caesar. Herod Antipas usually occupied it as his capital.
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
6:24 Came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. As they did not see the Lord longer on the eastern shore, they sought him at the place where he made his home.
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
6:25 Rabbi, when camest thou hither? He had not crossed the sea with his disciples; he had not come with them; how and when did he come? The day was the Sabbath, they had sought him in the synagogue, the question was asked there, and the discourse that follows was spoken there. See Joh 6:59.
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
6:26 Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles. The Savior reveals to them the true motives which induced them to seek him. Henry says:

Not because he taught them, but because he fed them; not for love, but for loaves. Thus do all who seek in religion secular advantages and follow Christ for the sake of secular preferments.''

People are more clamorous for earthly bread, than anxious concerning food for their souls.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth. The Savior does not prohibit laboring for food, but making the acquisition of food and worldly things the leading object of life. He means: Do not manifest a chief anxiety for bodily food, for the food that perishes with the using, but rather seek

that meat which endureth unto everlasting life. The food of the soul; the Bread of Life. See Joh 6:35,48.

Him hath God the Father sealed. Sealing is the mark of approval, of authority. A legal document must bear the seal of the State to give it force. The Father had commissioned, authorized, and stamped his seal upon the work of the Son. His miracles were a divine seal.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
6:28 What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? These seekers of Christ are eager for more information. He had bidden them work for the food of eternal life. What works then shall they do that they may please God and receive the divine gift?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
6:29 This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They are startled by hearing that to please God the first requirement is faith in Christ. This is the work of God that pleases him. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). It is not works, but one work, that is required, a faith that would enable them to lay hold upon him who is the Bread of Life. From such faith would spring a Christlike life.
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
6:30 What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? He had pointed to himself as the object of faith, making his claim, such as had never been made by mortal man. He had spoken of his seal, or sign. They ask now for a sign.
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert. He may have fed a few thousands on the day before, but what was that to feeding of the whole host of Israel for forty years in the wilderness? Is he as great a leader as Moses, in whose time the manna fell?
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
6:32 Moses gave you not that bread from heaven. It was not Moses, with whom they were disposed to compare him, who furnished the manna in the wilderness, but the Lord (Ex 16:15). He still feeds the Israel of God on its way to the heavenly Canaan.

My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. The true bread is for the soul instead of the body. It satisfies the soul's hunger and keeps it alive. The Father gives it by sending the Son, the true bread of Life. Of the true bread the manna was a type.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
6:33 The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven. He here defines the marks of the true bread: (1) It comes from heaven; (2) it bestows life upon the soul and sustains it; (3) it is for the world, not for a single race.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
6:34 Lord, evermore give us this bread. One cannot fail to see the resemblance to the case of the woman of Sychar. Compare the Lord's teachings there on the Water of Life (Joh 4:9-15).
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
6:35 Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. They ask for this bread. He answers, it is here; I am that bread. The work of God is that you receive it by believing upon him whom he hath sent. He that cometh shall not hunger; he that believeth shall not thirst. It is thus shown that faith is the power that brings us to Christ. We come to him by believing.
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
6:36 Ye also have seen me, and believe not. They had asked a work in order that they might believe, which was a confession of their unbelief. They ask for the bread of life, but they can only partake of it by believing in him. He therefore points out the one obstacle to obtaining what they had asked for.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me. Christ here, as elsewhere, shows that the power is of the Father. The Jews may reject him, but all whom the Father gives, of every race, will come to him. Christ is God's gift to men, but the believers are his gift to Christ. Schaff says:

The gift of the Father must not be understood of a predestinating decree. Here, and in other passages, when we read of God giving his Son to his people it is the moral and spiritual state of the heart that is thought of under the word. This state of heart by which they are induced to listen to the voice of Jesus is due to God alone.''

God's chief agencies for preparing the heart are his providences, Christian influences, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph 6:17).

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will. Christ will refuse none who come to him; all such are given by the Father and he came to do the Father's will.
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
6:39,40 This is the Father's will. The Father's will is that every one who sees the Son and believes upon him, thus coming to, following and abiding in him, shall have eternal life, and that in the resurrection day Christ shall raise him from the grave. These verses show, (1) That there is not any secret decree of election. The will of the Father applies to every one who believes upon the Son. (2) The condition of eternal life is a faith that leads to and appropriates Christ; that makes him the Lord of the soul. (3) Christ hath brought to light immortality. He is the resurrection and the life (Joh 11:25).
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
6:39,40 This is the Father's will. The Father's will is that every one who sees the Son and believes upon him, thus coming to, following and abiding in him, shall have eternal life, and that in the resurrection day Christ shall raise him from the grave. These verses show, (1) That there is not any secret decree of election. The will of the Father applies to every one who believes upon the Son. (2) The condition of eternal life is a faith that leads to and appropriates Christ; that makes him the Lord of the soul. (3) Christ hath brought to light immortality. He is the resurrection and the life (Joh 11:25).
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father... draw him. Their obstinacy and unbelief (Joh 6:41,42) called out this. Two things are needful to come to Christ, the human will to come and the divine drawing. See Joh 5:40 Mt 23:37 Re 22:17. God draws by the gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation (Ro 1:16). If our will consents, so that we yield to the drawing, we will come to Christ.
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
6:45 They shall all be taught of God. Thus God draws, and those who have heard and learned, come to Christ.
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father. They are drawn by hearing the word, not by seeing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I am that bread of life.
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
6:50 May eat thereof, and not die. Eternally. The Bread of Life, our Crucified Lord, is appropriated ( eaten, made our own) by faith.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
6:53 Except ye eat of the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood. Appropriate these by faith. Whosoever by faith trusts in the death of Christ and is baptized into his death (Ro 6:3), spiritually partakes of the body and blood of Christ. So does he also who eats in loving remembrance of him the emblems that represent his body and blood. Joh 6:63 shows that his words must be taken in a spiritual rather than a literal sense.
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
6:55 My flesh is meat indeed. For the soul, hence partaken of by faith.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
6:56 Dwelleth in me. See Ro 6:1-8.
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
6:57 The living Father. Who is the fountain of all life.
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
6:58 This is that bread. Himself. He probably laid his hand upon himself as he spoke.
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
6:59 These things said he in the synagogue. In the ruins, called Tel Hum, supposed to be those of Capernaum, are found those of a synagogue known to have been erected in the Herodian period by its style of architecture. There is ground for believing that this is the one erected by the centurion that loveth our nation (Lu 7:5), and in which Christ spoke.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
6:60 This is an hard saying. About eating and drinking his flesh and blood. They could not comprehend.
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
6:62 What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend? He points forward to a greater marvel than the one that now staggered before them, the Ascension of the Son of man.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth. We may paraphrase this verse thus: I shall ascend to heaven so that my body cannot be literally eaten; the flesh literally profits nothing. It is the spirit that makes alive. The spirits of men must feed upon me by faith, that they may be made alive. My words are spirit and life. He who feeds upon them will be made alive.
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
6:65 No man can come unto me. See note Joh 6:44,45.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
6:66 Many of his disciples went back. They stumbled over the remarkable declarations of this chapter. They had no genuine faith.
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
6:68,69 To whom shall we go? If we should turn from Christ, to whom should we go? Peter's confession here is of the same purport as that a Caesarea Philippi.
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
6:68,69 To whom shall we go? If we should turn from Christ, to whom should we go? Peter's confession here is of the same purport as that a Caesarea Philippi.
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
6:70 One of you is a devil. A demon, in the original; diabolical, or under the influence of the evil one. Notice in this remarkable discourse the progressive thought: (1) The Lord announces the Bread of God that giveth life to the world (Joh 6:33). (2) He declares that he is the Bread of Life (Joh 6:48,50). (3) The Bread of life must be eaten by partaking of his flesh and blood (Joh 6:51-56). (4) This is done spiritually, by the spirit feeding upon his life and words (Joh 6:63).
He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891]

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