This chapter of John’s Gospel, often referred to as John 6 Esv, is rich with significant events and profound teachings from Jesus. It encompasses the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus walking on water, and his powerful discourse on being the Bread of Life. These events and teachings are pivotal in understanding Jesus’ ministry and his divine nature as presented in the English Standard Version.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (John 6:1-15 ESV)
Following these events, Jesus journeyed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A vast crowd, witnessing the miraculous signs he performed on the sick, followed him. Jesus ascended the mountain and sat there with his disciples. The Passover, a significant Jewish festival, was approaching.
Observing the large crowd approaching, Jesus questioned Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” John 6:6 ESV clarifies that this was a test, as Jesus already knew what he was about to do. Philip responded practically, stating that even two hundred denarii worth of bread would not suffice for each person to have even a little.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, pointed out a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, but questioned how such a small amount could feed so many. Jesus instructed the disciples to have the people sit down. The place was grassy, and the men, numbering about five thousand, sat down.
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the seated crowd. He did the same with the fish, ensuring everyone ate as much as they desired. After everyone was satisfied, Jesus instructed his disciples to gather the leftover fragments, so nothing would be wasted. They collected twelve baskets full of fragments from the five barley loaves, left over by those who had eaten.
Upon witnessing this sign, the people recognized Jesus as the Prophet who was to come into the world. Understanding that they intended to make him king by force, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water (John 6:16-21 ESV)
As evening approached, Jesus’ disciples went down to the sea. They embarked on a boat to cross the sea towards Capernaum. Darkness fell, and Jesus had not yet joined them. The sea grew turbulent due to a strong wind.
Having rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, approaching their boat, and were terrified. But Jesus reassured them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” They willingly took him into the boat, and instantly, the boat reached their destination.
I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:22-59 ESV)
The next day, the crowd who had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there and that Jesus had not embarked with his disciples, who had left alone. Boats from Tiberias arrived near the place where they had eaten the bread after Jesus had given thanks.
When the crowd realized Jesus and his disciples were not there, they boarded the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. Upon finding him, they asked, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
Jesus responded, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” He urged them to not labor for perishable food but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man would give them, for God the Father had set his seal on him.
They inquired, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” They then asked for a sign to believe, questioning what work he performed compared to their forefathers who ate manna in the wilderness, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus clarified, “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. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They then pleaded, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” He reminded them that despite seeing him, they did not believe. He affirmed that all the Father gives him will come to him, and he will never cast out anyone who comes to him. He explained his purpose: to do the will of the Father who sent him, to lose none of those given to him, and to raise them up on the last day, granting eternal life to everyone who believes in him.
The Jews grumbled because he claimed to be the bread that came down from heaven, questioning his earthly origins as the son of Joseph. Jesus urged them not to grumble and explained that no one can come to him unless drawn by the Father. He reiterated his promise to raise them up on the last day and quoted the prophets, “And they will all be taught by God.” He emphasized that everyone who learns from the Father comes to him. He affirmed that only he who is from God has seen the Father and declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 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.”
This declaration led to disputes among the Jews, questioning how Jesus could give them his flesh to eat. Jesus responded emphatically, “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. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” He explained his life is from the Father, and likewise, those who feed on him will live because of him. He concluded, “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.” Jesus spoke these words while teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
The Words of Eternal Life (John 6:60-71 ESV)
Upon hearing these teachings, many of Jesus’ disciples found them difficult to accept, saying, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus, aware of their grumbling, questioned if this offended them and spoke of the Son of Man ascending to where he was before. He clarified, “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.” He knew from the beginning who did not believe and who would betray him, explaining that no one can come to him unless granted by the Father.
As a result, many disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jesus then asked the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus acknowledged that he had chosen the twelve, yet one of them was a devil, referring to Judas Iscariot, who would betray him.
In conclusion, John 6 ESV presents a pivotal chapter in understanding the ministry of Jesus. It showcases his miraculous power, his profound teachings about himself as the Bread of Life, and the critical choice people face in believing in him for eternal life. This chapter is essential for grasping the core message of salvation and the divine identity of Jesus Christ within the Gospel of John.
