John · chapter 6 of 21
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John 6 tells how Jesus feeds about five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish, walks on the Sea of Galilee toward his disciples, and teaches in Capernaum that he is the bread of life. Many disciples are offended and stop following him, but Peter answers that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.
After the conflicts in Jerusalem in chapter 5, Jesus returns to Galilee, near Passover. John 6 is the longest treatment of a single miracle and its explanation in this Gospel: the sign of the bread leads into a discourse about who Jesus is and what it means to believe in him. Here we see the contrast between a crowd that wants only food and a few who receive his word.
A great crowd follows Jesus across the Sea of Galilee because they have seen his signs. Jesus tests Philip by asking where to buy bread for so many; Philip says that even two hundred denarii would not be enough. Andrew points to a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus has the people sit down on the grass, gives thanks, distributes the food, and everyone eats until satisfied; twelve baskets are left over. Seeing the sign, they want to make him king by force, and Jesus withdraws alone to the mountain.
At evening the disciples get into a boat to cross to Capernaum, and the sea is stirred by a strong wind. When they have rowed about three or four miles they see Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat, and they are afraid. He tells them it is he and not to be afraid; they welcome him aboard, and at once they reach shore.
The next day the crowd looks for him. Jesus tells them they seek him because they ate bread and not because of the signs, and urges them to work for the food that lasts. When they ask for a sign like Moses' manna, he answers that the Father gives the true bread from heaven, and declares: I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will not hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. He promises not to cast out anyone who comes to him, and says the Father's will is that everyone who believes in the Son have eternal life.
The Jews grumble because they know him as Joseph's son. Jesus insists that no one comes to him unless the Father draws him, and that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life. Many of his disciples say the teaching is hard and leave. Jesus asks the Twelve whether they also want to go. Peter answers that they have nowhere to go, since only Jesus has the words of eternal life and they believe he is the Holy One of God. Jesus says that one of them is a devil, and John identifies Judas.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Andrew mentions a boy with five barley loaves and two fish and wonders what that is for so many people. Jesus takes the little that is handed over and multiplies it, showing that he does not need great resources.
Jesus says he is the bread of life and that whoever comes to him will not hunger or thirst. The first of this Gospel's I am statements presents Christ as the food that satisfies the deepest part of the human being.
No one can come to Jesus unless the Father who sent him draws him. The verse affirms that faith is God's work and not only a human decision, and it should be read alongside the invitations to come to Jesus.
When Jesus asks whether the Twelve also want to leave, Peter answers that they have nowhere else to go, because only Jesus has the words of eternal life, and they have believed he is the Holy One of God. It is a firm confession at a moment of desertion.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Five barley loaves and two fish. — John 6:9
Answer: Twelve baskets of broken pieces. — John 6:13
Answer: They wanted to make him king by force, and Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. — John 6:14-15
Answer: That it was he and they should not be afraid. — John 6:19-20
Answer: That he is the bread of life, and whoever comes to him will not hunger or thirst. — John 6:35
Answer: That they had nowhere to go, because only Jesus has the words of eternal life. — John 6:67-69
The miracle of the loaves teaches that Jesus can use the little we place in his hands, like a boy's lunch. In a group you can reflect on which resources, time or abilities we are holding back because we think they are not enough. Sometimes it is hard to give what is small because we compare it with the need.
The bread of life discourse challenges us to ask what we seek in Jesus: only practical solutions, or himself? Many left when his words became hard. Peter's answer can serve as a prayer for difficult days: to whom shall we go? We will not always understand everything, but we can follow the one who has words of life.
John 6 ends with a reduced crowd and twelve who remain, one of whom will betray Jesus. In John 7, opposition in Judea grows as the Feast of Booths approaches.
Jesus uses a strong image to speak of receiving himself and his giving on the cross through faith. Many interpreters understand it as believing in Christ and taking hold of his sacrifice, and others also see a reference to the Lord's Supper. The same chapter says that Jesus' words are spirit and life.
They had seen a powerful sign and expected a political leader to meet their needs. Jesus rejects that idea because his kingdom is not of that kind. That is why he withdraws, and later many stop following him when he does not meet their expectations.
In verse 70 Jesus says that one of the Twelve is a devil, and John explains that he meant Judas, who would betray him. It is a serious warning that accompanying Jesus is not the same as believing in him. The text does not suggest the others knew it at that moment.