The Bread of Life
A brief look at John 6:25-40
The passage we’re looking at sits smack in the middle of chapter 6. Jesus having begun his public ministry has been traveling, preaching and doing miracles. After traveling through Samaria to Galilee, he heals an official’s son, and the blind man by the pool Bethesda and has the Jews wanting to kill him for speaking blasphemy. He explains to them the authority he has as the Son of God, and speaks of the great witness to the truth of his person. Now in Chapter 6, Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee, and celebrated Passover with the crowd that was following him by multiplying the loves and fish that a boy there had. That night after having retreated to the mountain by himself, Jesus meets his disciples on the Sea on their way across to Capernaum. After finding out that Jesus left in the night, the crowd follows him across to Capernaum. In our passage, they find him, and we will see closer what occurs.
Once again, keep in mind, Jesus has just fed the 5000, and what is taking place occurs on the heels of this sign that Jesus has done.
25-26:
“When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (vv:25-26)
| “Signs” |
| The word here translated “signs” is the greek σημεῖα (sēmeia) from σημεῖον (sémeion). σημεῖα is a plural noun in the accusative case and neuter gender. Strong’s gives the definition as, “Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally -- miracle, sign, token, wonder. “ With the following NASB usage: distinguishing mark (1), miracle (2), sign (35), signs (39) It indicates a miracle viewed as a proof of divine authority and majesty. Hence it leads the attention of the viewer away from the deed itself to the divine Doer of the deed. So while the sign itself is at work in the physical realm, it often illustrates a principle that is operative in the spiritual realm. See: Multiplication of loaves (6:14, 26, 30) points to Christ as the bread of life (6:35). Opening the eyes of the blind man (9:16) points to Christ as the light of the world (9:5). That is, light in the realm of the spiritual (9:39-41). The physical raising of Lazarus (11:47; 12:18) points to Christ giving spiritual life (11:23-27) |
Jesus tells the crowd that has followed him across the sea, that they have followed him, and come looking for him based on the superficial and temporal aspect of what he did when he fed the gathered 5000.
While there may have been true believers present in the crowed that followed him, and surely his disciples were present, Jesus is here speaking to unbelievers. So we see this as a rebuke, and as a warning.
The unbelievers, being those who have not been regenerated by the Spirit of God, as all true believers have been (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:3, 5-6; 1 John 5:1), and who do not thereby understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:13-14), do no not see beyond the sign itself to what it signifies. They see all of the physical, but understand none of the spiritual. So they come to Jesus seeking the sign itself, that is the physical bread and physical nourishment, not the truth the sign points to, which is the body of the Messiah, which broken for and consumed by the believers, gives spiritual nourishment and spiritual life.
27:
“Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (v27)
So Jesus rebukes them for working, yearning and laboring for physical food which like our bodies, is here today and gone tomorrow, and rots away. Rather, they ought to yearn for Jesus and work for the Spiritual food of his body, which endures to eternal life. Notice also that Jesus that he will give himself for those who believe and will believe in him.
| Physical bread (The sign) | Jesus’ body (Spiritual bread, the thing signified |
| ·Feeds the body | ·Feeds the spirit |
| ·Gives temporary life to the body | ·Gives everlasting life to the spirit |
| ·Needs to be broken and eaten over and over again | ·Needs be broken once and never again |
“For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
The Father has given the son authority and certified through John the Baptist, the many other works and signs, his own word and the Scriptures that Jesus is the real Messiah, the Son of God. (See also 5:30-47)
28:
“Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?””(v28)
They still don’t get it! Their thought here seems to still be in regards to some physical action, they are still looking for something to do, like a law or laws to obey.
They are asking, “What do we have to do to do God’s kind of work, that will make us live forever?”
29:
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (v29)
Jesus continues to tell them the physical aspect of the spiritual truth. Saying that God’s work that you must do, is believe in him (Jesus) who God has sent.
30:
“So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?””
They now ask Jesus to prove his legitimacy.
Saying, “How do we know that we should believe you? Give us a sign, do a miracle to prove to us that you are telling us what God wants us to hear.”
This really shows the truth of their hardheartedness in the fact that they have given no care for and show no understanding of the signs Jesus has already performed. Specifically speaking, the one done no less than a day earlier, namely the feeding of the 5000, which as John McArthur says, and I agree, “is proof enough.”
31:
“Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread to eat.””(v31)
To justify their asking for a sign and to give an example, they say that Moses gave them bread from heaven as a sign during the time of their fathers.
Saying in effect, “Jesus, you gave us bread from bread that was already in existence, and for only 5000[1], while Moses fed the whole nation of Israel. Furthermore, this bread came straight out of heaven. So if you are better than Moses, give us a better sign, out do Moses.”
32:
“Jesus then said to them, “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.” (v32)
Jesus corrects their misunderstanding of Nehemiah 9:15 which they quoted from, and tells them that it was never Moses who gave the bread; God gave the bread from heaven. And God also gives the true bread that is, the actual bread that was signified by the sign of the physical manna in the wilderness.
33:
“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives live to the world.” (v33)
Furthermore, he continues to explain to them that the manna their fathers ate in the wilderness was only a type. That is, a picture or a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Christ. While the Manna from heaven was a type, Jesus was the antitype, the fulfillment of the picture. And is the actual bread from heaven, which gives spiritual life to the world. That is, mankind.
34:
“They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” (v34)
Again, they completely misunderstand Jesus’ spiritual meaning, and think he is talking about physical bread baked in an oven that will give eternal life to the person who eats it. So, they ask Jesus to give them this special kind of “eternal life-bread.”
Notice the striking parallel between this statement and the one made by the Samaritan woman at the well. Her situation is much the same in that Jesus was telling her of his being the Living Water, something spiritually significant that she could not see. And she says to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:15)
35:
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”” (v35)
So Jesus tells them very plainly,
“I am the bread of life.”
Whoever comes to him, that is believes in him, will never hunger or thirst spiritually.
Like physical bread physically fed the Israelites in their sojourn in wilderness while they waited for God to reveal the Promised Land, Jesus spiritually feeds the true Israelites (The children of promise, believers [Romans 9]) while they are sojourning in the wilderness (This physical world), waiting for the revealing of the true Promised Land of Heaven.
Note that here believing in Jesus is defined as coming to him
36:
“But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.” (v36)
In the spirit of v26 and recalling what he said there, Jesus is saying that they have merely seen but not understood or believed. Just like how they saw the feeding of the 5000, but had no understanding of or belief in what it signified. All they have done is see outwardly, but not understand or believe inwardly. And the blame for unbelief and failure to understand is placed squarely on them and their hardheartedness.
Let me here say that if one were to ask, “So if it’s my fault for not believing, does that mean that if I accept Jesus with a believing heart, I get the credit for believing?”
The answer is strongly, No.
God gets the credit because He has saved you, for His great name, not yours. God gets the glory for your belief and actions, not you.
Salvation is ever by grace and faith is ever the work of God in the heart of the blind unbelieving sinner.
After addressing the truth of man’s responsibility for his sin and unbelief, Jesus immediately affirms Gods sovereignty in saving men.
37:
“All that the Father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (v37)
Not only is belief the work of God that people do, bringing people to belief is the work of God that God does.
William Hendriksen said it well, “A person cannot be saved unless he comes to Jesus and he cannot come unless he is given (cf. especially 6:44) but “all that” is given will certainly come.”
So this is an explanation to the unbelievers, and encouragement to God’s children. Brothers and sisters, be encouraged that you have been loved while you were yet in open rebellion against God, and that the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world bore your sin in his body on the tree, and removed your rebellion from you. The Father has given you as a present of love to his beloved Son, quickening your heart by the work of his Spirit, and by his goodness has lead you to repentance and faith, transferring Jesus’ righteousness to your account. Take Joy that you have not been left to your own devices! Take joy that as you have been given to Jesus, you will never be cast out from him!
| “All that” |
| “All that” in v 37 sees the elect as a unity. They are all one people. See also 6:39; 7:2, 24; 1 John 5:4 |
38:
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (v38)
All that the Father gives will certainly come, and all who come will never be cast out!
The reason this is completely certain is because it is God’s will that it occur. Don’t however think that the will of the Father and the Son ever clash, see the contrary taught in 4:34; 5:19; 17:4.
In light of the Jewish unbelievers who would have questioned the authority of what Jesus said, this means that whenever they oppose Jesus’ will, they are also opposing the will of the father.
39-40:
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should loose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (vv39-40)
And the will of the Father is that Jesus loose none of those whom he is given, and that he raise all of them up at the last day. Jesus both welcomes and guards those given to him by the Father.
“In these [John 6:37-39, 10:28; Rom. 8:29, 30, 38; 11:29; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 6:17; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 Pet. 1:4, 5; etc] and many other passages Scripture teaches a council that cannot be changed, a calling that cannot be revoked, an inheritance that cannot be defiled, a foundation which cannot be shaken; a seal that cannot be broken, and a life that cannot perish. Everyone who with the eye of faith sees in Jesus the Son of God, and who, accordingly, believes in him, has everlasting life.” -William Hendriksen.
After this our passage, the Jews are all the more irritated and still do not understand. After rebuking their murmuring, Jesus in v44 again explains beautifully the sovereignty of God in saving a people for himself, and the resulting security those believers have. So Jesus continues to explain all the more and all the more clearly that his body and blood are the spiritual nourishment and cleansing, which came down from heaven and gives eternal life to those who feed on it, that is, believe in him.
Well, Taylor, William and Ashley, I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation the four of us had over this text, and I’m encouraged by your insights, and the great desire you all have to study Scripture, and sharpen each other. I have surely been sharpened, and blessed. I’ll be praying for you in the future that you will see and understand, and fall more and more deeply in love with Jesus the great lover of our soul. I hope this that I’ve written will be helpful to you all, and to those who may read it online who were not with us at the time.
Everything, absolutely everything for the glory of God,
Matthew
[1] Probably around 20,000, as 5000 was only the count of the men, if women and children were present, most say the count would have been close to 20,000 eating people.
