The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
The Jews {G2453} then {G3767} murmured {G1111} at {G4012} him {G846}, because {G3754} he said {G2036}, I {G1473} am {G1510} the bread {G740} which {G3588} came down {G2597} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}.
At this the Judeans began grumbling about him because he said, “I am the bread which has come down from heaven.”
At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.
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John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. -
John 6:52
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat? -
John 6:48
I am that bread of life. -
John 6:33
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. -
John 6:66
From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. -
John 6:60
¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? -
John 7:12
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
John 6:41 (KJV)
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Commentary
This verse follows Jesus' teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum, where he declared himself to be the "bread of life" and the "bread which came down from heaven." This statement was a direct challenge to their understanding of God's provision (like the manna in the wilderness) and Jesus' own identity.
The phrase "The Jews" here refers specifically to those in the audience who were resistant to Jesus' claims, likely including religious leaders or those who were following him primarily for physical benefits rather than spiritual truth. Their reaction is described as "murmuring" (Greek: γογγύζω - gongyzō), which means to grumble or complain, often in a low voice. This indicates dissatisfaction, disbelief, and rising opposition to Jesus' bold assertion of his divine origin.
Their murmuring highlights the core issue: they saw Jesus as merely the son of Joseph (John 6:42), a man from Nazareth, and could not reconcile this with his claim to have descended from heaven. They were focused on his earthly appearance and familiar background, preventing them from accepting his spiritual and divine nature.
This verse sets the stage for further confrontation and clarification from Jesus regarding his identity and the nature of the true spiritual food he offers.
See also the reaction of some of his disciples later in the same discourse: John 6:60.
The murmuring of the Jews serves as a timeless reminder that human resistance often arises when divine truth challenges our preconceived notions or earthly understanding.