John 6:56 kjv
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
John 6:56 nkjv
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
John 6:56 niv
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
John 6:56 esv
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
John 6:56 nlt
Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
John 6 56 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world..." | Foundation of God's love and salvation |
| 1 John 4:16 | "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God..." | Equates abiding in love with abiding in God |
| Romans 8:10 | "But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin..." | Christ's indwelling leads to spiritual life |
| Galatians 2:20 | "I have been crucified with Christ..." | Union with Christ's death and resurrection |
| 1 Corinthians 1:30 | "But by his doing you are in Christ Jesus..." | Christ's provision makes us to be in Him |
| 1 Corinthians 6:17 | "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit..." | Union with Christ described as becoming one spirit |
| Colossians 1:27 | "Christ in you, the hope of glory." | Christ's indwelling is the source of hope |
| 1 John 3:24 | "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him." | Keeping commandments demonstrates abiding in Him |
| 1 John 2:6 | "whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way..." | Actions as evidence of abiding in Christ |
| Ephesians 5:30 | "...because we are members of his body." | Believers are part of Christ's physical body |
| John 15:4 | "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit..." | The necessity of abiding for fruit-bearing |
| John 14:23 | "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him..." | Love for Christ leads to keeping His word, leading to the Father's presence |
| John 17:23 | "...that they may be perfectly one, so that the world may know..." | Christ's prayer for unity among believers |
| 1 John 4:13 | "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit." | The Spirit as evidence of abiding in Christ |
| Hebrews 12:28 | "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken..." | The assurance of an unshakable kingdom due to Christ's work |
| Acts 2:42 | "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." | Early church practices reflecting spiritual union |
| 1 Corinthians 11:24 | "and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you...'" | The Lord's Supper as a reminder of union and sacrifice |
| 1 Corinthians 10:17 | "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body..." | The Lord's Supper signifies corporate unity |
| John 6:35 | "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger...'" | Connects to the "eating" metaphor of Christ's life-giving nature |
| 1 Corinthians 5:8 | "Let us therefore celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven..." | Christian life characterized by purity and truth |
John 6 verses
John 6 56 Meaning
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. This is a profound statement of spiritual union and indwelling, where believers are united with Christ in a life-sustaining relationship. It signifies more than mere belief; it's about a continuous, abiding presence of Christ within the believer and the believer within Christ. This abiding is the source of spiritual life and perseverance.
John 6 56 Context
This verse is spoken by Jesus in John chapter 6, following His discourse on being the Bread of Life and the feeding of the five thousand. He has been challenging the crowds' materialistic understanding of His miracles, emphasizing that true nourishment comes from spiritual sustenance found in Him. The discourse on eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53-58) is difficult for many of His disciples, leading many to turn away from Him (John 6:66). Peter's confession of faith (John 6:68-69) in the preceding verses shows a correct understanding of Jesus’ spiritual identity, contrasting with the disbelief of others. The emphasis is on a spiritual, abiding relationship rather than a physical, temporal one.
John 6 56 Word Analysis
- Os (hos): "He who" or "Whoever." Introduces a conditional clause establishing a requirement for the following promise.
- trōgōn (trōgōn): Present active participle of trōgō (τρώγω). Meaning "eating" or "gnawing." This is a stronger term than esthiō (to eat), implying a more vigorous or thorough consumption, suggesting a deep appropriation and assimilation of Christ. It’s not just casual eating, but a dedicated consuming.
- mou (mou): "my." Refers directly to Jesus Christ.
- sarxa (sarxa): Accusative singular of sarx (σάρξ), meaning "flesh." In this context, it represents the whole person of Christ in His incarnate, physical reality – His humanity and His sacrificial life poured out. It signifies the entire self given for humanity.
- kai (kai): "and." Connects the two actions: eating flesh and drinking blood.
- pinōn (pinōn): Present active participle of pinō (πίνω), meaning "drinking." Like trōgōn, it implies a continuous and thorough drinking.
- haima (haima): Accusative singular of haima (αἷμα), meaning "blood." The blood signifies Christ's atoning sacrifice, His poured-out life that brings redemption and forgiveness of sins. It speaks of the efficacy of His death.
- mou (mou): "my." Again refers to Jesus Christ.
- menei (menei): Present active indicative of meinō (μένω), meaning "abides," "remains," "dwells." This is a key term in John's Gospel, signifying a continuous, intimate, and unchanging relationship. It implies a mutual dwelling.
- en (en): "in."
- emoi (emoi): Dative of egō (ἐγώ), meaning "me."
- kai (kai): "and."
- houtos (houtos): "he" or "this one." Refers back to the one who performs the action of eating and drinking.
- en (en): "in."
- ekeinōi (ekeinōi): Dative of ekeinos (ἐκεῖνος), meaning "him" (referring to Christ).
- kago (kago): Conjunction kai (καί), "and," plus egō (ἐγώ), "I." Meaning "and I."
- en (en): "in."
- autōi (autōi): Dative of autos (αὐτός), meaning "him" (referring to the believer).
Word-Group Analysis
- "Os trōgōn mou sarxa kai pinōn mou haima" (He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood): This phrase signifies a deep, active, and continuous reception of Christ’s life and atoning work. It’s a comprehensive intake of what Christ is and what He has done, involving His incarnation, humanity, sacrifice, and divine nature. The choice of trōgō emphasizes an intimate, almost essential integration.
- "menei en emoi, kago en auto" (abides in me, and I in him): This speaks of mutual, permanent indwelling. It is not a one-sided relationship but a reciprocal spiritual union. The believer lives within Christ’s sphere of life and influence, and Christ makes His home within the believer, empowering and sustaining them. This mutual abiding is the bedrock of Christian life and assurance.
John 6 56 Bonus Section
The language of eating and drinking Christ's flesh and blood was so shocking to some of Jesus' disciples that they declared, "This teaching is hard; who can accept it?" (John 6:60). This highlights the profound spiritual reality being communicated, far removed from literal cannibalism or even a mere ritualistic understanding. The Apostle Paul connects this theme to the Lord's Supper, calling believers to discern the Body of Christ (1 Cor 11:29), implying a corporate identity in Christ that is fed and nourished through this sacred meal, thereby reinforcing the idea of unity and abiding within the one Body. The continuous present participles ("eating," "drinking," "abides") emphasize the ongoing nature of this relationship, not a one-time event, but a perpetual spiritual communion.
John 6 56 Commentary
This verse highlights the necessity of a profound, personal, and enduring relationship with Jesus Christ, initiated by faith and sustained by His living sacrifice. To "eat His flesh" and "drink His blood" is a metaphor for the believer’s complete dependence on Christ's atoning work and His very life. It is about spiritually appropriating Christ’s person and work into one's being. This act results in a mutual indwelling: the believer resides in Christ, and Christ resides in the believer. This indwelling is not a passive experience but an active, continuous abiding that assures spiritual life, fruitfulness, and ultimate perseverance in Christ. It’s a call to a deep, active participation in the life Christ offers through His death and resurrection.