John 6 summary meaning ai explained commentary

John 6 meaning explained in AI Summary

Jesus performs another miracle, the feeding of the five thousand, where he multiplies a few loaves of bread and fishes to feed a large crowd (John 6:1-15). This act not only demonstrates Jesus' power over nature but also foreshadows his role as the provider of spiritual sustenance. The people are amazed and seek to make Jesus king, but Jesus withdraws, emphasizing his mission as the giver of eternal life, not earthly power (John 6:15-21). The chapter later recounts Jesus walking on water to meet his disciples caught in a storm, further solidifying his mastery over the physical world (John 6:16-21).

John 6 narrates a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, marked by miracles, challenging teachings, and a shift in his followers' understanding of his identity.

1. Feeding the Five Thousand (6:1-15): Jesus miraculously feeds a multitude of over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. This event highlights Jesus's divine power and compassion. The crowd, witnessing this miracle, wants to make him king, but Jesus withdraws.

2. Walking on Water (6:16-21): Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee to reach his disciples who are struggling against the wind in their boat. This miracle further emphasizes Jesus's divinity and control over nature.

3. The Bread of Life Discourse (6:22-59): The next day, the crowd follows Jesus seeking another miracle. Jesus uses this opportunity to deliver a profound discourse about being the "bread of life." He explains that true satisfaction comes not from physical food but from believing in him and partaking in his flesh and blood, symbolizing his sacrificial death.

4. Many Turn Away (6:60-66): Jesus's words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood are taken literally by many, who find them offensive and disturbing. Unable to grasp the spiritual meaning, many disciples abandon him.

5. Peter's Confession (6:67-71): Jesus, saddened by the departure of many, asks his twelve disciples if they too will leave. Peter, speaking for the twelve, affirms their unwavering faith, recognizing Jesus as "the Holy One of God."

Key Themes:

Jesus as the Source of True Life: The chapter emphasizes that true sustenance and eternal life come not from earthly things but from a relationship with Jesus.
The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus requires faith and a willingness to accept challenging teachings, even when they seem difficult to understand.
The Divinity of Christ: The miracles and Jesus's claims about himself point towards his divine nature and his role as the Son of God.

John 6 marks a turning point in Jesus's ministry. The crowds, initially drawn by miracles, begin to dwindle as his teachings become more demanding. The chapter sets the stage for the growing opposition Jesus will face from the religious leaders and the deepening faith of his true disciples.

John 6 bible study ai commentary

This chapter presents Jesus as the fulfillment and replacement of the Mosaic traditions, specifically the Manna from heaven. It masterfully weaves together a great sign (the feeding of the 5,000), a demonstration of divine power (walking on water), and a profound theological discourse. The central theme is the transition from seeking physical satisfaction to embracing Jesus as the true, spiritual "Bread of Life" who alone provides eternal sustenance, leading to a sifting of his followers based on their ability to accept this "hard saying."

John 6 Context

The chapter is deliberately set just before Passover, the Jewish festival celebrating the exodus from Egypt. This context is the interpretive key. The original audience would immediately connect the themes of a wilderness, bread, a great prophet (like Moses), and a divine deliverance with the Exodus story. The location, Galilee, was a center for Jewish Zealot activity, which explains the crowd's desire to make Jesus a political king after the feeding miracle. The entire chapter functions as a polemic against a superficial, nationalistic messianism, redirecting it toward a spiritual, universal salvation found only in Jesus.

John 6:1-4

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

In-depth-analysis

Sea of Tiberias: John provides both the Jewish name (Galilee) and the Roman name (Tiberias), indicating his gospel is for a broader, non-Jewish audience.
Signs (sēmeion): The crowd followed because of the miracles, but they saw them as wonders, not as "signs" pointing to Jesus' divine identity, a central theme in John.
On the mountain: This posture deliberately echoes Moses on Mount Sinai (Exo 19:3) and Jesus' own Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:1). He is positioned as a new lawgiver and teacher.
Passover: John explicitly states the timing. This frames the miracle of the bread as a new Passover meal and Jesus himself as the ultimate Passover lamb.

Bible references

Exo 12:1-28: '...It is the LORD's Passover... a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD.' (The foundational context for the chapter's events).
Deut 18:15: 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you...' (The popular expectation Jesus was fulfilling).
Matt 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17: (Parallel accounts of the feeding miracle).

Cross references

Exo 19:3 (Moses on the mountain); John 2:11 (Jesus' first 'sign'); Deut 16:1 (Keep the Passover); Matt 5:1 (Sermon on the Mount).

John 6:5-15

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do... Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, ... "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”... Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them...So when the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

In-depth-analysis

To test him: Jesus' question to Philip isn't for information but to reveal human inadequacy and the necessity of divine intervention.
Barley loaves: This was the food of the poor. The miracle begins with the humblest of provisions, highlighting that God's power is magnified in weakness.
Given thanks (eucharisteō): This Greek word is the root for "Eucharist." John is foreshadowing the Last Supper, where Jesus gives thanks for bread that represents His body.
Gathered fragments: The twelve baskets of leftovers signify superabundance and God's sufficient provision for the twelve tribes of Israel, and later, the twelve apostles' ministry to the world.
Take him by force (harpazō): This is a strong word suggesting a violent seizure. The crowd's reaction is purely political; they see a provider-king who can lead a rebellion against Rome, completely missing the spiritual sign.

Bible references

2 Kings 4:42-44: 'How am I to set this before a hundred men?' ... And they ate and had some left...' (Elisha's miracle of feeding a hundred men, which Jesus' sign vastly surpasses).
Num 11:13: 'Where am I to get meat to give to all this people?' (Moses' despair at feeding Israel, contrasted with Jesus' sovereign power).
1 Sam 8:5-7: '...appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.' ... They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.' (Israel's desire for an earthly king).

Cross references

Psa 78:19-20 (doubting God's provision); John 2:24-25 (Jesus knowing what was in man); Deut 18:18 (the promised prophet); 1 Tim 6:15 (King of kings).

Polemics

Jesus actively rejects the political, nationalistic Messianic expectation prevalent at the time. His kingship is not of this world (John 18:36). He withdraws not from fear, but to correct their fundamental misunderstanding of his mission.

John 6:16-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum... A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew rough... they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

In-depth-analysis

Darkness, Wind, Rough Sea: These elements represent chaos, fear, and the forces of evil in Scripture. The disciples are helpless against them.
Walking on the sea: In the Old Testament, only God has dominion over the sea (Job 9:8, Psa 77:19). This is a profound, non-verbal claim to divinity.
It is I (egō eimi): This is the Greek equivalent of God's covenant name, "I AM," revealed to Moses (Exo 3:14). Jesus is not just identifying himself; he is revealing His divine nature. This is the second great "sign" in the chapter.
Immediately at the land: This supernatural arrival underscores that when Christ enters the "boat" (one's life), the struggles and journey are supernaturally brought to their intended destination.

Bible references

Job 9:8: '...who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.' (Explicitly identifies walking on the sea as a divine act).
Exo 3:14: 'God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”' (The divine name Jesus claims).
Psa 107:29-30: 'He made the storm be still... then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.' (God's power over the storm).

Cross references

Isa 43:2 (God's presence in deep waters); Isa 41:10 (do not be afraid); Matt 14:27 (parallel account where Jesus says egō eimi); Psa 29:3-4 (The voice of the LORD is over the waters).

John 6:22-29

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw... that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples... So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus... “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you... Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

In-depth-analysis

Seeking Jesus: Their search is motivated by a desire for more miracles and physical food, not by genuine spiritual hunger.
Not because you saw the signs: Jesus immediately exposes their flawed motive. They experienced the miracle but were blind to its meaning—His identity.
Work for the food that endures: Jesus creates a sharp contrast between temporary, physical effort and the reception of eternal life, which is a gift.
What must we do?: Their question reveals a works-based mindset, typical of many religious systems. They want a checklist of actions.
This is the work of God, that you believe: Jesus subverts their entire framework. The only "work" God requires for salvation is not a human action, but the divine gift of faith—trusting in the one He sent.

Bible references

Isa 55:2: 'Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?' (Contrasting fleeting physical satisfaction with true spiritual sustenance).
Hab 2:4: '...but the righteous shall live by his faith.' (The principle of faith over works for righteousness).
Rom 4:4-5: 'Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.' (Paul's clear theological explanation of this principle).

Cross references

Deut 8:3 (man does not live by bread alone); Gal 2:16 (justified by faith in Christ, not works of law); Eph 2:8-9 (saved by grace through faith, not works); John 3:16 (believing is the condition for eternal life).

John 6:30-40

So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." ... For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me... And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

In-depth-analysis

What sign do you do?: Astonishingly, after the feeding of 5,000, they ask for another sign. They implicitly challenge Jesus to top Moses' miracle of Manna.
Not Moses... but my Father: Jesus corrects their history and theology. The Manna was a temporary gift from God, not from Moses. He then contrasts that temporary bread with the "true bread."
The Bread of God is He: Jesus moves from speaking about a thing (bread) to a person (Himself). This is the pivot point of the discourse.
I am the bread of life (egō eimi ho artos tēs zōēs): The first of the seven great "I AM" statements in John's Gospel. It's a declaration of His divine identity and his function as the sole source of spiritual life.
Will of him who sent me: Jesus introduces the theme of divine sovereignty in salvation. His mission is to secure, protect, and resurrect those the Father has "given" him. This security is absolute.

Bible references

Exo 16:4, 15: '...I will rain bread from heaven for you... It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.' (The Manna account they reference).
Psa 78:24-25: '...he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.' (The scriptural passage they quote/paraphrase).
Isa 55:1: 'Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!' (Invitation to receive spiritual nourishment freely).
John 10:28-29: 'I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.' (Reinforces the security of the believer).

Cross references

Neh 9:15 (You gave them bread from heaven); Psa 105:40 (bread of angels); 1 Cor 10:3 (our fathers ate the same spiritual food); John 4:14 (water that prevents thirst forever).

John 6:41-51

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them... “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day... I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

In-depth-analysis

Grumbled: The exact same word used for the Israelites grumbling against Moses in the wilderness (Exo 16:2). John shows history repeating itself.
Son of Joseph: Their objection is based on his earthly, familiar origins. They cannot reconcile his humanity with his claim of heavenly descent. This is the classic "scandal of the incarnation."
Draws him (helkyō): A powerful word suggesting an effective, irresistible pull. It highlights divine initiative in salvation. Man cannot come to God on his own.
Your fathers ate... and died: Jesus draws the starkest possible contrast. The Manna was a miracle, but it could not give life. The Bread Jesus offers overcomes death itself.
The bread... is my flesh: The discourse now intensifies dramatically. Jesus moves from a metaphor ("I am bread") to a sacrificial statement ("the bread is my flesh, which I will give"). This points directly to his atoning death on the cross.

Bible references

Exo 16:2: 'And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness...' (The direct historical parallel of their complaint).
Isa 53:2-3: '...he had no form or majesty that we should look at him... he was despised and we esteemed him not.' (The prophetic basis for the Messiah being rejected for his humble appearance).
Jer 31:3: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.' (The Hebrew concept of God 'drawing' His people with love).

Cross references

Matt 13:55-56 (Is not this the carpenter's son?); Song 1:4 (Draw me after you); Phil 2:6-8 (humbled himself); Heb 10:5,10 (a body you have prepared for me).

John 6:52-59

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you... For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink... As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me...'

In-depth-analysis

Disputed among themselves: The language is now so shocking that it causes a major division among the listeners.
Eat his flesh... drink his blood: To the Jewish ear, this was horrifying. It sounded like cannibalism and directly violated the Torah's prohibition against consuming blood (Lev 17:14), which represented the life-force and belonged to God alone.
Flesh is true food... blood is true drink: Jesus doubles down on the provocative imagery. He is stating that His sacrificial death is the only source of "true" spiritual nourishment and life, replacing the old covenant system.
Feeds on me (trōgō): The Greek verb changes here from the standard word for "eat" (phagō) to a more graphic word, trōgō, meaning "to chew" or "to gnaw." It emphasizes a real, personal, and total appropriation of Christ and His work, not just a symbolic nod.

Bible references

Lev 17:11: 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood... It is the blood that makes atonement by the life.' (The Torah law that makes Jesus' statement so scandalous, yet also explains its theological power: He is offering his atoning life-blood).
Matt 26:26-28: '...Take, eat; this is my body... Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.' (The institution of the Lord's Supper, the context in which this teaching is memorialized).
1 Cor 11:24-26: '...This is my body, which is for you... This cup is the new covenant in my blood...' (Paul's instruction on the Lord's supper, connecting it directly to Christ's sacrificial death).

Cross references

Gen 9:4 (do not eat flesh with its life, its blood); Heb 9:22 (without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness); 1 Pet 1:18-19 (redeemed with the precious blood of Christ).

Polemics

This passage is central to the debate on the nature of the Eucharist (Communion). The seemingly literal language is used to support the doctrine of Transubstantiation (that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ). However, many scholars and Protestant traditions point to v. 63 ("the Spirit gives life; the flesh is no help at all") as an interpretive key, suggesting Jesus is speaking of a spiritual, not physical, reality that must be apprehended by faith.

John 6:60-71

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”... Jesus, knowing... that his disciples were grumbling about it, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life... After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life... Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

In-depth-analysis

Hard saying (sklēros logos): Not "hard to understand," but "hard/offensive to accept." It was a stumbling block (skandalon).
The flesh is no help at all: Jesus provides the key to interpreting his "eat my flesh" discourse. He is not talking about physical cannibalism. He is speaking of a spiritual reality that is understood and made effective by the Holy Spirit.
Many disciples turned back: This is the great sifting. The crowd that was enthusiastic for free food and political power abandons him when faced with the cost of true spiritual discipleship.
To whom shall we go?: Peter’s confession is a pivotal moment. It is not a confession of full intellectual understanding, but of personal trust and recognition. He acknowledges that despite the difficulty of Jesus' words, there is no other source of life.
One of you is a devil: The chapter ends on a sober, shocking note. Even within the chosen inner circle, unbelief and betrayal exist. This underscores divine foreknowledge and the mystery of iniquity.

Bible references

1 Cor 1:23: '...but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.' (This "hard saying" about the cross is the central stumbling block).
2 Cor 3:6: '...for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.' (A principle that aligns with Jesus' statement that a literal, fleshly interpretation misses the life-giving spiritual truth).
Matt 16:16: 'Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."' (Peter's more developed confession at Caesarea Philippi).

Cross references

Luke 14:25-27 (the cost of discipleship); John 1:11 (He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him); 2 Tim 2:19 (The Lord knows those who are his); Psa 41:9 (even my close friend... has lifted his heel against me).

John Chapter 6 Analysis

The Great Misunderstanding: The chapter is built on the collision between two different desires. The crowd desires physical bread, political power, and observable signs on their own terms. Jesus offers spiritual bread, a heavenly kingdom, and a sign that points to His sacrificial death. This misunderstanding serves as the engine of the entire narrative, forcing the central question: Who is Jesus?
The Greater Moses: The entire chapter is a polemic showing Jesus as superior to Moses. Moses was a conduit for Manna that spoiled and didn't prevent death; Jesus is the Bread that gives eternal life. Moses led people through the sea on dry ground; Jesus demonstrates His deity by walking on the sea.
Filter of Discipleship: John 6 functions as a funnel. It begins with a "large crowd" (v. 2) numbering over 5,000 men. This is reduced to a smaller "crowd" that seeks him (v. 24). This is further reduced from "many of his disciples" (v. 60) who leave, down to "the Twelve" (v. 67). Jesus' hard teachings are designed to filter out superficial followers and reveal true faith.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: The chapter holds these two truths in tension. "No one can come to me unless the Father... draws him" (v. 44) and "whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (v. 37). Salvation is wholly a work of God's initiative ("draws," "gives"), which is apprehended by the human response of "coming" and "believing."

John 6 Summary

John 6 powerfully contrasts the carnal desires of the crowd with the spiritual reality offered by Jesus. Following the miracle of feeding the 5,000, which ignites false political hopes, Jesus presents Himself as the true "Bread of Life," whose flesh and blood must be spiritually consumed for eternal life. This provocative teaching, rooted in his sacrificial death, repels the masses and serves to filter his followers, culminating in Peter's declaration of faith and the somber revelation of Judas's unbelief.

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¹ After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
² And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
³ And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
⁵ 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 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
⁷ Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
⁹ There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
¹⁰ 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.
¹¹ 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.
¹² When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
¹³ 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.
¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
¹⁷ And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
¹⁸ And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
²¹ Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
²² 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;
²³ (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
²⁴ When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
²⁵ And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
²⁶ 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.
²⁷ 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.
²⁸ Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
³⁰ They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
³¹ Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
³² 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.
³³ For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
³⁴ Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
³⁵ 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.
³⁶ But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
³⁷ All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
³⁸ For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
³⁹ 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.
⁴⁰ 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.
⁴¹ The Jews then murmured at 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 saith, I came down from heaven?
⁴³ Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
⁴⁴ 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.
⁴⁵ 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.
⁴⁶ Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
⁴⁷ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
⁴⁸ I am that bread of life.
⁴⁹ Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
⁵⁰ This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
⁵¹ 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.
⁵² The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
⁵³ 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.
⁵⁴ Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
⁵⁵ For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
⁵⁶ He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
⁵⁷ As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
⁵⁸ 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.
⁵⁹ These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
⁶⁰ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
⁶¹ When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
⁶² What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
⁶³ It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
⁶⁴ 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.
⁶⁵ And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
⁶⁶ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
⁶⁷ Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
⁶⁹ And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
⁷⁰ Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
⁷¹ He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

John chapter 6 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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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."
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'?"
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.

John chapter 6 niv

¹ Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),
² and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.
³ Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.
⁴ The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
⁷ Philip answered him, "It would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,
⁹ "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
¹⁰ Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
¹⁴ After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.
¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.
²⁰ But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.
²³ Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
²⁶ Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
²⁸ Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
²⁹ Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
³⁰ So they asked him, "What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
³² Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
³⁴ "Sir," they said, "always give us this bread."
³⁵ Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
³⁶ But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
⁴⁰ For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
⁴¹ At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."
⁴² They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
⁴³ "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.
⁴⁴ "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.
⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
⁴⁷ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.
⁴⁸ I am the bread of life.
⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.
⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
⁵² Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
⁵³ Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell 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 them up at the last day.
⁵⁵ For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
⁵⁷ Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
⁵⁹ He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
⁶² Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you?they are full of the Spirit and life.
⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
⁶⁵ He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."
⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
⁶⁷ "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
⁷⁰ Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"
⁷¹ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

John chapter 6 esv

¹ After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
² And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.
³ Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
⁵ Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
⁷ Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little."
⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
⁹ "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"
¹⁰ Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
¹² And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."
¹³ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
¹⁴ When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"
¹⁵ Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
¹⁸ The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.
²⁰ But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."
²¹ Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
²² On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.
²³ Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
²⁴ So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
²⁵ 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, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
²⁷ Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
²⁸ Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
²⁹ Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
³⁰ So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?
³¹ Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
³² Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave 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."
³⁴ They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
³⁵ Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
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 whoever comes to me I will never 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 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
⁴⁰ For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
⁴¹ So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."
⁴² They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"
⁴³ Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.
⁴⁴ No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' 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 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
⁴⁸ I am the bread of life.
⁴⁹ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
⁵⁰ This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
⁵² The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
⁵³ So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, 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 feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
⁵⁶ Whoever feeds on 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 whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.
⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
⁵⁹ Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
⁶⁰ When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
⁶¹ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?
⁶² Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
⁶⁵ And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
⁶⁶ After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
⁶⁷ So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"
⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
⁶⁹ and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
⁷⁰ Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."
⁷¹ He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

John chapter 6 nlt

¹ After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
² A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.
³ Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.
⁴ (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)
⁵ Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"
⁶ He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
⁷ Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"
⁸ Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up.
⁹ "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
¹⁰ "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
¹² After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted."
¹³ So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
¹⁴ When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"
¹⁵ When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
¹⁶ That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.
¹⁷ But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.
¹⁸ Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.
¹⁹ They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,
²⁰ but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here! "
²¹ Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them.
²³ Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten.
²⁴ So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him.
²⁵ They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
²⁶ Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.
²⁷ But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."
²⁸ They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?"
²⁹ Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent."
³⁰ They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?
³¹ After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "
³² Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, Moses didn't give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven.
³³ The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
³⁴ "Sir," they said, "give us that bread every day."
³⁵ Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
³⁶ But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me.
³⁷ However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.
³⁹ And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.
⁴⁰ For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."
⁴¹ Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."
⁴² They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
⁴³ But Jesus replied, "Stop complaining about what I said.
⁴⁴ For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
⁴⁵ As it is written in the Scriptures, 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
⁴⁶ (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
⁴⁷ "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.
⁴⁸ Yes, I am the bread of life!
⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died.
⁵⁰ Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die.
⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."
⁵² Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.
⁵³ So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.
⁵⁴ But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.
⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
⁵⁶ Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
⁵⁷ I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.
⁵⁸ I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever."
⁵⁹ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
⁶⁰ Many of his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"
⁶¹ Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?
⁶² Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?
⁶³ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
⁶⁴ But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.)
⁶⁵ Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."
⁶⁶ At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
⁶⁷ Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"
⁶⁸ Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
⁶⁹ We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. "
⁷⁰ Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."
⁷¹ He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.