John 6 59

John 6:59 kjv

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

John 6:59 nkjv

These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

John 6:59 niv

He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

John 6:59 esv

Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

John 6:59 nlt

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

John 6 verses

John 6 59 Meaning

This verse serves as a summary and conclusion to Jesus' profound and challenging discourse on the Bread of Life, which included the controversial teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. It precisely situates this significant sermon, stating that Jesus delivered these teachings publicly in the synagogue, the central place of Jewish instruction and worship, located in Capernaum, a significant base for His Galilean ministry.

John 6 59 Context

John 6:59 marks the conclusion of Jesus' pivotal and profoundly controversial "Bread of Life" discourse, which spans from John 6:22. This sermon followed two major miracles: the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-15) and Jesus walking on water (John 6:16-21). Initially, the crowds sought Jesus primarily for more physical bread, but Jesus pivoted to teaching them about the true spiritual "bread" necessary for eternal life—Himself. The discourse culminates in verses 51-58 with the challenging metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Verse 59 solidifies the setting and nature of this teaching. The synagogue was the central place of Jewish communal worship, teaching, and legal assembly. For Jesus to deliver such a provocative sermon there underscores its public and authoritative nature, directly confronting established Jewish understanding and laws regarding blood. Capernaum served as Jesus' adopted hometown in Galilee and was the site of numerous miracles and teachings, making it a critical hub for His ministry.

John 6 59 Word analysis

• These things (Ταῦτα - Tauta): This refers collectively to the entirety of Jesus' preceding discourse, particularly the difficult teachings from John 6:51-58 concerning the spiritual consumption of His flesh and blood. It emphasizes that the entire message, not just isolated parts, was presented.
• said He (εἶπεν - eipen): Simple past tense, indicating a completed action, emphasizing the authority and finality of Jesus' pronouncements. It points to Him as the divine speaker.
• in the synagogue (ἐν συναγωγῇ - en synagōgē): "Synagogue" (συναγωγῇ) denotes a gathering place for Jewish religious instruction and worship. Its significance here is multi-layered: it was a public forum, legitimizing Jesus' role as a teacher (Rabbi), but also setting the stage for direct confrontation with Jewish theological interpretations, particularly regarding purity laws and the Messiah.
• as He taught (διδάσκων - didaskōn): The participle "teaching" highlights Jesus' ongoing role and primary activity. He wasn't merely speaking casually; He was formally instructing, elucidating profound truths, characteristic of His public ministry. This signifies the intentionality and weight of His words.
• in Capernaum (ἐν Καπερναούμ - en Kapernaoum): This identifies the specific geographical location, a prominent fishing town on the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was Jesus' ministry base in Galilee, where He performed many miracles and delivered significant teachings. It was a place of considerable light, yet, tragically, would eventually be condemned by Jesus for its persistent unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works.

Words-group analysis:

• "These things said He": Emphasizes Jesus' authorship and the divine origin of the preceding weighty discourse. The "things" are not merely suggestions but authoritative proclamations.
• "in the synagogue, as He taught": This phrase details the formal, public, and intentional setting of the discourse. It underscores Jesus' active role as a authoritative teacher within a key Jewish institution, setting His words in direct religious context for His Jewish audience. The environment heightened the challenge of His words to traditional beliefs.

John 6 59 Bonus section

The positioning of this summary verse right before the departure of many of Jesus' disciples (John 6:60-66) underscores the direct causal link between His "hard sayings" and the resultant sifting of His followers. Capernaum, the scene of this critical discourse, later faced severe judgment from Jesus Himself (Matt 11:23) precisely because it had been exposed to such profound truth and miraculous power yet largely failed to believe. This highlights the weight of divine revelation and the accountability of those who hear it in places of worship and teaching. The discourse within the Capernaum synagogue marked a significant point of no return for many who had outwardly followed Jesus.

John 6 59 Commentary

John 6:59 acts as an important transition and summary, concluding the highly contentious "Bread of Life" discourse. By stating that "These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum," the verse firmly roots the spiritual realities Jesus conveyed in a specific, public, and challenging historical context. The chosen location, the synagogue, signified that these were not private remarks but authoritative teachings presented in the very heart of Jewish religious life. The controversial claims about "eating His flesh and drinking His blood" were deliberately delivered in an environment where the audience would acutely feel their jarring impact, particularly in light of strict Mosaic laws concerning blood. This public declaration served to sift true followers from those who were only seeking material benefits, setting the stage for the dramatic defection of many "disciples" recorded in the verses that follow (John 6:60-66). The verse subtly highlights Jesus' uncompromising nature, willing to teach challenging truths even when they alienated a significant portion of His following. It reinforces that divine truth is not always palatable but is essential for spiritual life.