JESUS WENT OVER - Went to the east side of the sea. The place to which he went was Bethsaida, Luke 9:10. The account of this miracle of feeding the five thousand is recorded also in Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:32; Luke 9:10. John has added a few circumstances omitted by the other evangelists.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY SAW HIS MIRACLES ... - They saw that he had the power to supply their wants, and they therefore followed him. See John 6:26. Compare also Matthew 14:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PASSOVER - See the notes at Matthew 26:2, Matthew 26:17. A FEAST OF THE JEWS - This is one of the circumstances of explanation thrown in by John which show that he wrote for those who were unacquainted with Jewish customs.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PROVE HIM - To try him; to see if he had faith, or if he would show that he believed that Jesus had power to supply them.... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS - This command is omitted by the other evangelists. It shows the care of Jesus that there should be no waste. Though he had power to provide any quantity of food, yet he has here taught us that the bounties of Providence are not to be squandered. In all things the Saviour set... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT PROPHET ... - The Messiah. The power to work the miracle, and the benevolence manifested in it, showed that he was the long-expected Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS PERCEIVED ... - They were satisfied by the miracle that he was the Messiah. They supposed that the Messiah was to be a temporal prince. They saw that Jesus was retiring, unambitious, and indisposed to assume the ensigns of office. They thought, therefore, that they would proclaim him as t... [ Continue Reading ]
See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in the notes at Matthew 14:22. Compare Mark 6:45. John 6:21 IMMEDIATELY - Quickly. Before a long time. How far they were from the land we know not, but there is no evidence that there was a miracle in the case. The word translated “immediately” does... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE WHICH STOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEA - That is, on the east side, or on the same side with Jesus. The country was called the region beyond or on, the other side of the sea, because the writer and the people lived on the west side. JESUS WENT NOT WITH HIS DISCIPLES - He had gone into... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE CAME OTHER BOATS - After the disciples had departed. This is added because, from what follows, it appears that they supposed that he had entered one of those boats and gone to Capernaum after his disciples had departed. FROM TIBERIAS - This town stood on the western borders of the lake, not fa... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK SHIPPING - Went into the boats. CAME TO CAPERNAUM - This was the ordinary place of the residence of Jesus, and they therefore expected to find him there.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SEEK ME, NOT BECAUSE ... - The miracles which Jesus performed were proofs that he came from God. To seek him because they had seen them, and were convinced by them that he was the Messiah, would have been proper; but to follow him simply because their wants were supplied was mere selfishness of a... [ Continue Reading ]
LABOUR NOT - This does not mean that we are to make no effort for the supply of our wants (compare 1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:10), but that we are not to manifest anxiety, we are not to make this the main or supreme object of our desire. See the notes at Matthew 6:25. THE MEAT THAT PERISHETH... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE DO, THAT WE MIGHT WORK THE WORKS OF GOD? - That is, such things as God will approve. This was the earnest inquiry of men who were seeking to be saved. They had crossed the Sea of Tiberias to seek him; they supposed him to be the Messiah, and they sincerely desired to be taught the way... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD - This is the thing that will be acceptable to God, or which you are to do in order to be saved. Jesus did not tell them they had nothing to do, or that they were to sit down and wait, but that there was a work to perform, and that was a duty that was imperative. It was to be... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SIGN SHOWEST THOU? - On the word sign, compare the notes at Isaiah 7:14. What miracle dost thou work to prove that thou art the Messiah? They had just seen the miracle of the loaves in the desert, which was sufficient to show that he was the Messiah, and it would seem from the preceding narrati... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FATHERS - The Jews who were led by Moses through the wilderness. DID EAT MANNA - This was the name given by the Jews to the food which was furnished to them by God in their journey. It means literally, “What is this?” and was the question which they asked when they first saw it, Exodus 16:14. It... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES GAVE YOU NOT THAT BREAD FROM HEAVEN - This might be translated, “Moses gave you not the bread of heaven.” The word “that,” which makes some difference in the sense, is not necessary to express the meaning of the original. It does not appear that Jesus intended to call in question the fact that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREAD OF GOD - The means of support which God furnishes. That which, in his view, is needful for man. IS HE ... - Is the Messiah who has come from heaven. AND GIVETH LIFE ... - See the notes at John 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE - I am the support of spiritual life; or my doctrines will give life and peace to the soul. SHALL NEVER HUNGER - See the notes at John 4:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SAID UNTO YOU - This he said, not in so many words, but in substance, in John 6:26. Though they saw him, and had full proof of his divine mission, yet they did not believe. Jesus then proceeds to state that, although they did not believe on him, yet his work would not be in vain, for others wo... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL - The original word is in the neuter gender, but it is used, doubtless, for the masculine, or perhaps refers to his people considered as a mass or body, and means that every individual that the Father had given him should come to him. THE FATHER GIVETH ME - We here learn that those who come to... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I CAME DOWN ... - This verse shows that he came for a specific purpose, which he states in the next verse, and means that, as he came to do his Father’s will, he would be faithful to the trust. Though his hearers should reject him, yet the will of God would be accomplished in the salvation of so... [ Continue Reading ]
FATHER’S WILL - His purpose; desire; intention. As this is the Father’s will, and Jesus came to execute his will, we have the highest security that it will be done. God’s will is always right, and he has power to execute it. Jesus was always faithful, and all power was given to him in heaven and on... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY ONE WHICH SEETH THE SON, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM - It was not sufficient to see him and hear him, but it was necessary, also, to believe on him. Many of the Jews had seen him, but few believed on him. Jesus had said in the previous verse that all that the Father had given him should be saved. But... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN CAN COME TO ME - This was spoken by Jesus to reprove their complaints - “Murmur not among yourselves.” They objected to his doctrine, or complained against it, because he claimed to be greater than Moses, and because they supposed him to be a mere man, and that what he said was impossible. Je... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PROPHETS - Isaiah 54:13. A similar sentiment is found in Micah 4:1, and Jeremiah 31:34; but by the prophets, here, is meant the book of the prophets, and it is probable that Jesus had reference only to the place in Isaiah, as this was the usual way of quoting the prophets. SHALL BE ALL TAUGH... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT ANY MAN HATH SEEN THE FATHER - Jesus added this, evidently, to guard against mistake. He had said that all who came to him were taught of God. The teacher was commonly seen and heard by the pupil; but, lest it should be supposed that he meant to say that a man to come to him must see and he... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THAT BREAD OF LIFE - My doctrines and the benefits of my mediation are that real support of spiritual life of which the manna in the wilderness was the faint emblem. See John 6:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FATHERS DID EAT MANNA - There was a real miracle performed in their behalf; there was a perpetual interposition of God which showed that they were his chosen people. AND ARE DEAD - The bread which they ate could not save them from death. Though God interfered in their behalf, yet they died. We... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREAD THAT I WILL GIVE IS BY FLESH - That is, his body would be offered as a sacrifice for sin, agreeably to his declaration when he instituted the Supper: “This is my body which is broken for you,” 1 Corinthians 11:24. LIFE OF THE WORLD - That sinners might, by his atoning sacrifice, be recover... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses Jesus repeats what he had in substance said before. EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH ... - He did not mean that this should be understood literally, for it was never done, and it is absurd to suppose that it was intended to be so understood. Nothing can possibly be more absurd than to suppose... [ Continue Reading ]
DWELLETH IN ME - Is truly and intimately connected with me. To dwell or abide in him is to remain in the belief of his doctrine, and in the participation of the benefits of his death. Compare John 15:1; John 17:21. I IN HIM - Jesus dwells in believers by his Spirit and doctrine. When his Spirit is... [ Continue Reading ]
I LIVE BY THE FATHER - See the notes at John 5:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THAT BREAD ... - This is the true bread that came down. The word “that” should not be in the translation. SHALL LIVE FOR EVER - Not on the earth, but in the enjoyments of a better world.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES - The word “disciple” means “learner.” It was applied to the followers of Christ because they were taught by him. It does not imply, of necessity, that those to whom it was given were real Christians, but simply that they were under his teaching, and were professed learners in... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT AND IF ... - Jesus does not say that those who were then present would see him ascend, but he implies that he would ascend. They had taken offence because he said he came down from heaven. Instead of explaining that away, he proceeds to state another doctrine quite as offensive to them - that h... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH - These words have been understood in different ways. The word “Spirit,” here, evidently does not refer to the Holy Spirit, for he adds, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit.” He refers here, probably, to the doctrine which he had been teaching in opposi... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING ... - As this implied a knowledge of the heart, and of the secret principles and motives of men, it shows that he must have been omniscient.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES - Many who had followed him professedly as his disciples and as desirous of learning of him. See the notes at John 6:60. WENT BACK - Turned away from him and left him. From this we may learn, * Not to wonder at the apostasy of many who profess to be followers of Christ. Many... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TWELVE - The twelve apostles. WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY? - Many apostatized, and it was natural now for Jesus to submit the question to the twelve. “Will you, whom I have chosen, on whom I have bestowed the apostleship, and who have seen the evidence of my Messiahship, will you now also leave me?” T... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER ANSWERED HIM - With characteristic ardor and promptness. Peter was probably one of the oldest of the apostles, and it was his character to be first and most ardent in his professions. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO - This implied their firm conviction that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he alone... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE SURE ... - See a similar confession of Peter in Matthew 16:16, and the notes at that place. Peter says we are sure, in the name of the whole of the apostles. Jesus immediately cautions him, as he did on other occasions, not to be too confident, for one of them actually had no such feelings, b... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE NOT I CHOSEN YOU TWELVE? - There is much emphasis in these words. Have not I - I, the Saviour, the Messiah, chosen you in mercy and in love, and therefore it will be a greater sin to betray me? Chosen. Chosen to the apostolic office; conferred on you marks of special favor, and treason is there... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPAKE OF JUDAS ... - There is no evidence that Jesus designated Judas so that the disciples then understood that it was he. It does not appear that the apostles even suspected Judas, as they continued to treat him afterward with the same confidence, for he carried the bag, or the purse containing... [ Continue Reading ]