Keraia
John 6

John 6:58

Jesus the Bread of Life · John 6:22–58
Read John 6

Translations

Modern
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
This is the bread having come down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. The one eating this bread will live to the age.”
Latin
Hic est panis qui de cælo descendit. Non sicut manducaverunt patres vestri manna, et mortui sunt. Qui manducat hunc panem, vivet in æternum.

Interlinear

Greek
English
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

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:

  1. 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.

  2. Real Presence: Christ is understood to be truly present in the sacrament in a mysterious but real way that is beyond human understanding.

  3. 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

Events

Glossary

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

Topics

Eternal Life: Results From: Eating the Bread of Life Eucharist Flesh: Symolical: Body of Christ Symbolized by the Bread Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Promises of, Prophetic Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Teaches in the Synagogue in Capernaum Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Life: Everlasting Manna: General Scriptures Concerning Offense: The Wicked Take, At: Christ, As the Bread of Life Symbols and Similitudes: Manna