John 6:53

Translations

Modern

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you.

Traditional

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.

Literal

Therefore Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you shall eat the flesh of the Son of Man and shall drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves.

Latin

Dixit ergo eis Jesus: Amen, amen dico vobis: nisi manducaveritis carnem Filii hominis, et biberitis ejus sanguinem, non habebitis vitam in vobis.

Interlinear

Greek

English

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you.

Notes

John 6:53–58

eats My flesh and drinks My blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52). His words pointed ahead to the Lord’s Supper, which would come later (see Luke 22:19). In Jewish speech, the phrase “flesh and blood” referred to the whole person. In this context, Jesus was calling people to receive him fully by completely believing in him.

Ever since the Protestant Reformation, there have been three main interpretations of the words of Jesus about the bread and wine:

Transubstantiation: The bread and wine are believed to change into the actual body and blood of Christ, while still appearing to be bread and wine.
Real Presence: Christ is understood to be truly present in the sacrament in a mysterious but real way that is beyond human understanding.
Memorial or Symbolic View: The bread and wine are seen as symbols. The act of sharing them recalls Christ’s death and resurrection, and believers receive spiritual benefit through faith.

John 6:26–59

This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum shortly before Passover (6:4, 59). During Passover, Jews would read the story of the exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 1–15).

John 6:1–71

Each story in this chapter uses the setting of the Feast of the Passover (6:4) to communicate a deeper meaning.

Theme notes and profiles

Bread from Heaven Complaints The Son of Man

Events

Bread of Life Sermonc. AD 29

Related verses

1 John 5:12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Matthew 26:26–28
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”
John 6:55
For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
John 6:47
Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life.
John 15:4
Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
John 6:26–27
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 13:3
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Blood Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, Teachings of John, Gospel of Lord’s Supper, the Manna Miracle Spirit of Jesus Christ

Topics

Blood of Christ Death: Spiritual Eternal Life: Results From: Eating the Bread of Life Eucharist Fellowship with Christ Flesh: Symolical: Body of Christ Symbolized by the Bread Holy Communion Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Teaches in the Synagogue in Capernaum Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Life: Everlasting Righteous: Unity of, with Christ Spiritual Life: Christ is the Author of Symbols and Similitudes: Manna Wine: Symbolical of the Blood of Jesus

John 6:53

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