THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
*JOHN

John 6

1Christ feedeth five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes: 15he withdraweth himself from the people, who would have made him a king, and walketh on the sea: 22the multitude flocking to him, he reproveth their carnal views, and requireth their faith in him whom God had sent. 30They ask a sign like that of the manna in the wilderness; he declareth himself to be the bread of life from heaven, and that none can live but by eating his flesh and drinking his blood. 60Many of his disciples taking offence at this, he sheweth his meaning to be spiritual. 66Many leaving him, Peter in the name of the twelve professeth stedfast faith in him; Jesus pronounceth one of them to be a devil.


1AFTER these things Jesus went 1over the sea of Galilee, which is the 2sea of Tiberias.

1 That is, over a bay or creek of the sea, for, Bethsaida was on the same side of the sea, on which Tiberias was situated. See Mat. 14:13; Luke 9:10.

2 Of this sea, see in detail Mat. 4 on verse 18; Luke 5 on verse 1.

2And a great multitude 3followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

3 Namely, by land. See Mat. 14:13.

3And Jesus went up into 4a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

4 Namely, which was situated by Bethsaida.

4And 5the passover, aa feast of the Jews, was nigh.

5 This was the third passover after Christ’s baptism. Of the first see John 2:13, and of the second, John 5:1.

a Exod. 12:18; Lev. 23:5, 7; Num. 28:16; Deut. 16:1.

5¶Whenb Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, 6Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

b Mat. 14:14; Mark 6:34; Luke 9:13.

6 Or, whereof, that is, wherewith.

6And this he said to prove him: for he himself 7knew what he would do.

7 That is, had now already determined within Himself.

7Philip answered him, Two hundred 8pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

8 Gr. denarii, that is, shillings or reals, see Mat. 18 on verse 28.

8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small 9fishes: but whatc are they among so many?

9 Gr. properly, broiled fishes.

c 2 Kings 4:43.

10And Jesus said, Make the men 10sit down. Now there was much 11grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about 12five thousand.

10 Gr. fall down, according to the custom of the ancients, who did eat reclining on their elbows.

11 Namely, green grass, Mark 6:39.

12 Namely, besides women and children, Mat. 14:21.

11And Jesus took the loaves; andd when he had given 13thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as 14they would.

d 1 Sam. 9:13.

13 That is, having blessed them with thanksgiving. See Luke 9:16.

14 Namely, the multitudes, as appears from that which follows.

12When they were 15filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

15 Or, satisfied.

13Therefore 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.

14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, Thise is of a truth 16that prophet that 17should come into the world.

e Luke 7:16; 24:19; John 4:19.

16 Namely, of Whom Moses has prophesied, Deut. 18:15, 18.

17 Gr. cometh.

15¶When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a 18king, he 19departed again into a mountain himself alone.

18 Namely, a worldly king, which they mistakenly thought that the Messiah must be.

19 Namely, to show that His Kingdom was not of this world, John 18:36.

16Andf when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

f Mat. 14:23; Mark 6:47.

17And entered into a ship, and went 20over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now 21dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

20 Namely, past Bethsaida, as Christ had commanded them, Mark 6:45.

21 Gr. darkness.

18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

19So when they had 22rowed about five and twenty or thirty 23furlongs,g they see Jesus 24walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

22 Or, sailed.

23 A furlong is the length of an hundred and twenty-five paces. See Luke 24:13.

g (Gr. stadion) 660 feet or 200 meters

24 Namely, supporting His body by His Divine power.

20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

21Then 25they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

25 Gr. Then they were willing to take him into the ship, namely, after they had recognized Him. See Mat. 14:32; Mark 6:51.

22¶The day following, when the people which stood on 26the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, saveh 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;

26 That is, on the other side of that bay of the sea, between Bethsaida and Capernaum. See verse 24.

h excepting*

23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given 27thanks:)

27 That is, had blessed. See verse 11.

24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also tooki shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

i they got into the boats

25And when they had found him 28on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

28 See verses 22, 59.

26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, 29not because ye saw the miracles, but 30because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

29 That is, not because you believe in Me by the signs, which you have seen of Me.

30 That is, because you hope that I will yet again satisfy you in such a manner.

2731Labourj not for the meat which perisheth, but for 32that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: fork him hath God the Father 33sealed.

31 That is, do diligence to obtain, Philip. 2:12.

j verses 40, 54; John 3:16; 4:14.

32 What this food is, it is declared in verses 51, 55.

k Mat. 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; John 1:33; 5:37; 8:18; 2 Peter 1:17.

33 That is, ordained and in many ways revealed and confirmed to be the true Messiah, and that He was sent by Him, as princes, by sealed credentials, confirm the authority of those who are sent by them, Eph. 4:30.

28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work 34the works of God?

34 That is, which God requires of us that we may be saved, as also in the following verse; see similar phrase, Psalm 51:17.

29Jesus answered and said unto them, Thisl is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

l 1 John 3:23.

30They said therefore unto him, 35What signm shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

35 Namely, which is extraordinary or profound, whereby we may certainly understand that thou art the Messiah.

m Mat. 12:38; 16:1; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:22.

31Ourn fathers did eat 36manna in the desert; as it is written, Heo gave them bread 37from heaven to eat.

n Exod. 16:4, 14; Num. 11:7.

36 Of this manna see Exod. 16:15, 32 and Num. 11:7, 8.

o Psalm 78:24; 1 Cor. 10:3.

37 That is, which fell down out of the sky.

32Then 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 38from heaven.

38 That is, the true spiritual and heavenly Bread, Whereof the manna was but a figure or shadow; as truth is often opposed to figures, John 1:17; Heb. 8:2.

33For 39the bread of God is 40he which 41cometh down from heaven, and giveth life 42unto the world.

39 That is, which God gives unto men that they may live forever.

40 Namely, the son of God.

41 That is, is come down, that is, Whom is sent into the world by the Father to be a Mediator, and for this end has assumed the human nature upon earth, Philip. 2:6, 7; 1 Tim. 3:16.

42 That is, to the elect and believers throughout the whole world, as well Gentiles as Jews, John 11:52.

34Then said they unto him, Lord, 43evermore give us this bread.

43 That is, every day, as Moses heretofore gave the manna, understanding this of temporal bread.

35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread 44of life: hep45that cometh to me 46shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

44 That is, Whom gives the spiritual and eternal life.

p Isa. 55:1; John 4:14; 7:37.

45 That is, he who believes in Me, as Christ Himself expounds in the latter part of this verse.

46 That is, shall be satisfied with all spiritual good; here with firm consolation and hereafter with everlasting joy.

36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

3747All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise 48cast out.

47 That is, all those whom the Father elected from eternity, and gave to Me as Mediator to save them, John 10:28 and 17:6.

48 Gr. cast out without, that is, not reject, but save eternally, John 17:12.

38For I came down 49from heaven, notq to do 50mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

49 See the exposition hereof in verse 33.

q Mat. 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 5:30.

50 That is, that which would only please Me and not the Father.

39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, thatr of all which he hath given me I should 51lose nothing, but should 52raise it up again at the last day.

r John 10:28; 17:12; 18:9.

51 That is, should not suffer to perish.

52 Namely, unto everlasting salvation. For, the others shall also be raised up, but unto condemnation, John 5:29; 2 Cor. 5:10.

40And this is the will of him that sent me, thats every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

s verses 27, 54; John 3:16; 4:14.

41The Jews then murmured 53at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

53 Or, concerning.

42And they said, Ist not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? 54how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

t Mat. 13:55; Mark 6:3.

54 That is, how can it then be true what this One saith?

43Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44Nou man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me 55draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

u verse 65; Cant. 1:4.

55 That is, except He makes him, who is by nature unfit and unwilling, thereunto suitable and willing by the powerful working of His Holy Spirit, Acts 16:14; Philip. 2:13.

45It is written 56in the prophets, Andv they shall be all taught 57of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath 58learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

56 That is, in that part of Scripture which contains the books of the prophets.

v Isa. 54:13; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10; 10:16.

57 Gr. the taught-(ones) of God, or God taught, as in 1 Thes. 4:9, that is, all who come unto Me, verse 44, or, as Isaiah states in Isa. 54:13, all the children of the spiritual Jerusalem shall be taught of God, Who by His Holy Spirit makes the preaching of God’s Word powerful in them.

58 That is, has so heard, that his heart is also enlightened and opened by the Father, truly to understand and embrace the same, Acts 16:14.

46Notw that any man hath seen the Father, 59save he which is 60of God, 61he hath seen the Father.

w Mat. 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 1:18; 7:29; 8:19.

59 Gr. except.

60 Namely, the Father.

61 Namely, the Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, John 1:18.

47Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hex that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

x John 3:16, 36.

48I am that bread of life.

49Youry fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, 62and are dead.

y Exod. 16:4; Num. 11:7; Psalm 78:24.

62 That is, although they did eat the manna, yet, notwithstanding, they died, not only the temporal death, but some also, because of their unbelief, the eternal death, see 1 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 3:16, 19.

50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that 63a man may eat thereof, and not die.

63 Gr. anyone.

51I am the 64living bread which came down from heaven: ifz any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: andaa the bread that I will give is 65my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

64 That is, quickening, see verse 35.

z John 11:26.

aa Heb. 10:5, 10.

65 That is, My human nature, which I will give up on the cross for a sacrifice of reconciliation, for the sins of the elect throughout the whole world, that they may obtain thereby remission of sins and everlasting life.

52The Jews therefore 66strove among themselves, saying, Howab can this man give us his flesh to eat?

66 Namely, with words, that is, contended.

ab John 3:9.

53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, 67Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

67 That is, except ye believe in Me, Who am to give up My body to death on the cross, and shed My blood for the forgiveness of sins. See verse 35, for, Christ does not speak here of the outward eating, which is done in the Lord’s Supper, seeing that it was not yet instituted at that time, but of the spiritual eating, that is, receiving Christ by a true faith, and thereby being united unto Him, which is signified and sealed by the outward eating in the Lord’s Supper.

5468Whosoac eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, 69hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

68 That is, he who believes in Me, as is expounded in verse 47.

ac verses 27, 40; John 3:16; 4:14.

69 See John 5:24.

55For my flesh is 70meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

70 See verse 32.

56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, 71dwelleth in me, and I in him.

71 That is, becomes and remains spiritually united with Me, and I with him, Eph. 3:17.

57As the living Father hath sent me, and I 72live by the Father: so he that eateth 73me, even he shall live by me.

72 See John 5:26.

73 That is, believeth in Me, verse 35.

58This is that breadad which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are 74dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

ad John 3:13.

74 See verse 49.

59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an 75hard saying; who can hear it?

75 This they say, because they understood not Christ’s words spiritually, but carnally. For, being understood as such, it would indeed be an hard speech, as Nicodemus also thus understood Christ’s words concerning regeneration, John 3:4.

61When Jesus knew 76in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

76 Or, by himself, namely, as a Discerner of the hearts and thoughts.

6277What and ifae ye shall see the Son of man 78ascend up 79where he was before?

77 That is, how then would you understand and believe My words?

ae Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50; John 3:13; Acts 1:9; Eph. 4:8.

78 Namely, as it came to pass afterwards.

79 Namely, in heaven, according to His Divine nature, before He became Man.

63Itaf is 80the spirit that quickeneth; 81the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they 82are spirit, and they are life.

af 2 Cor. 3:6.

80 That is, that, which I want to give to understand by the preceding words, must be spiritually understood of a spiritual eating; which is accomplished by the power of My Spirit, and that brings forth life.

81 Namely, being eaten carnally.

82 That is, must be understood spiritually, and thus they are words of life.

64But there are some of you 83that believe not. Forag Jesus knew 84from the beginning who they were that believed not, andah who should betray him.

83 And therefore, you take offense at My words.

ag John 2:25.

84 That is, since He began to preach to them.

ah John 13:11.

65And he said, Thereforeai said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him 85of my Father.

ai verse 44.

85 Gr. out, that is, by or from.

66¶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, 86Will ye also go away?

86 This He asks, not that He was ignorant of it, but because He would draw from them a sincere confession thereof.

68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, 87to whom shall we go? thou hast the words 88of eternal life.aj

87 Namely, otherwise than to Thee.

88 That is, which shows us the right way to eternal life.

aj Acts 5:20.

69And we believe and are sure thatak89thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

ak Mat. 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20; John 11:27.

89 Of this confession, see Mat. 16:16.

70Jesus answered them, Haveal not I 90chosen you twelve, and one of you is 91a devil?

al Luke 6:13.

90 Namely, to the office of apostle.

91 That is, a child of the devil, like unto him, John 8:44.

71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one 92of the twelve.

92 Gr. out of.