_After these things_ The history of between ten and eleven months is to be here supplied from the other evangelists; _Jesus went over the sea of Galilee_ Luke tells us (Luke 9:10) he went with his disciples into a desert belonging to Bethsaida: of the reason of which, see notes on Matthew 14:13; Mar... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him_ That is, gathered round him; _he saith unto Philip_ Namely, after he had first taught the people many things, as we learn from the other evangelists, and had _healed them, that had need of healing, Mark 6:34_; Luke 9:11; _Whence sh... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jesus perceived_ Through the knowledge which he had of their thoughts and intentions; _that they would come and take him by force_ That they had formed a purpose of doing so; _to make him a king_ Believing that the Messiah was to rule as well as teach his people; _he departed again unto a moun... [ Continue Reading ]
“In this and the two following verses,” says Dr. Campbell, “is contained a sentence more involved than any in this gospel. Indeed it is so unlike the composition of this evangelist, as to give ground to suspect that it has been injured in transcribing. He often indeed uses tautologies; but, except i... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they had found him on the other side_ Namely, in the synagogue of Capernaum, as appears from John 6:59; _they said unto him_ As soon as the worship was over, and even before they quitted the place; _Rabbi, when camest thou hither?_ They ask this question because, as Jesus did not go on the pre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said they_ Desiring to appear willing to receive his instructions, as well as his bounties; _What shall we do that we may work the works of God?_ Works pleasing to God, so as to secure his favour, and eternal life. _Jesus answered, This is the work of God_ The work most pleasing to God, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_They said, What sign showest thou_ What miracle dost thou work; _that we may see and believe thee?_ Since thou requirest us to give thee credit, and to regard thee as invested with a higher character than has been claimed by any one before, produce thy credentials; give some evidence of a superior... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus said, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven_ It was not Moses who in ancient times gave the manna to your fathers, neither was the manna _bread from heaven_, though it be so called by the psalmist, on account of the thing which it typified: for it dropped from the air only; _but my Father... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said they, Evermore give us this bread_ On which it seems our life depends: let us always live upon this heavenly manna. Thus said some of the wiser and better part of them, though they did not yet fully understand his meaning. _Jesus said unto them_ Proceeding to give them a clear and full ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I said_, &c. But valuable as these blessings of my grace are, you are little disposed to pursue and accept them. For _ye also have seen me, and believe not_ You have seen a manifestation of my true character, in my life and conversation, and have been eye-witnesses of the ample proofs which I h... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I came down from heaven_ Into this lower world; _not to do mine own will_ Or to seek any separate interest of my own; _but the will of him that sent me_ Who is loving to every man, and willeth not the death of a sinner. _And this is the Father's will_ This he revealeth to be his will; _that of... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Jews then murmured at him_ The dispositions of the greatest part of the Jews being carnal, the doctrine of our Lord respecting the spiritual nature of the blessings which his followers were to receive, and especially his affirming that he was the bread of life, and that he came down from heaven... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the bread of life_ Jesus, having explained the nature of the dignity which he had claimed in the foregoing part of his discourse, (John 6:33,) and demonstrated that it really belonged to him, here repeats what he had said John 6:35, and then runs a comparison between himself, considered as the... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the living bread_ Because it was a matter of infinite importance to his hearers that they should form a just judgment of his ability to save them, and believe in him as the Saviour of the world, he affirmed a third time that he was himself the living bread, which came down from heaven to make... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Jews therefore strove among themselves_ Greek, εμαχοντο, literally, _they fought_, that is, they debated with great violence, some being inclined to believe, others to reject this doctrine; some, doubtless, taking his words in one sense, others in another, and some vindicating, and others derid... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso eateth my flesh, &c., hath eternal life_ Has the principles of eternal life implanted in him, and shall enjoy it; _for I will raise him up, &c. For my flesh is meat indeed_, &c. My flesh and blood are the true nutriment of the soul: they feed it and make it grow: they give vigour to all the f... [ Continue Reading ]
_These things_ The things recorded in the preceding verses; _said he in the synagogue_ He spoke them openly in the hearing of all the people who attended at public worship in the synagogue; and that probably after prayer, and the reading of the law, in consequence of the question said to be asked hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many of his disciples_ That is, of those who followed him as such; _when they had heard this_ Had heard the above discourse; _said, This is a hard saying_ A strange discourse, a doctrine difficult to be believed. Hard indeed it must have appeared, as it does still appear, to the children of the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jesus knew_ Greek, ειδως δε ο Ιησους εν εαυτω, _Jesus knowing in himself; that his disciples murmured at it_ Though they did not speak out their objections and scruples; _said, Doth this_, which you have just now heard, _offend you_ And do you stumble at it as incredible? _What if ye shall see... [ Continue Reading ]
_From that time many of his disciples went back_ This discourse of our Lord was, in all its different branches, so offensive to many, who till now had followed him, and professed to be his disciples, that, from this time, they ceased to attend on or hear him. So that he now began to purge his floor:... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered them_ And, yet even ye have not all acted, nor will you act, suitably to this knowledge and faith. For, _have I not chosen_, or elected, _you twelve_ To the honour and happiness of a peculiar intimacy with me, and to a station of the most distinguished eminence and importance in my c... [ Continue Reading ]