John 6:50

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

This {G3778} is {G2076} the bread {G740} which {G3588} cometh down {G2597} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, that {G3363} a man {G5100} may eat {G5315} thereof {G1537}{G846}, and {G2532} not {G3363} die {G599}.

But the bread that comes down from heaven is such that a person may eat it and not die.

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die.

This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Commentary

John 6:50 (KJV): "‹This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.›"

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' profound discourse on the "Bread of Life" in the synagogue at Capernaum. It follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14), after which the crowd sought Jesus primarily for more physical food. Jesus redirects their focus from perishing food to the food that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27). He contrasts Himself with the manna given in the wilderness, which sustained physical life but did not prevent death (John 6:49). Verse 50 emphatically declares the superior nature of the true bread He offers.

Key Themes

  • Jesus as the True Bread: Jesus identifies Himself as the spiritual provision sent from God, superior to any earthly sustenance.
  • Divine Origin: The phrase "cometh down from heaven" emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and authority as the Son of God.
  • Spiritual Life vs. Physical Death: Unlike the manna, which only sustained physical life and did not prevent eventual death, eating this bread (believing in Jesus) grants escape from spiritual death and leads to eternal life.
  • Belief as "Eating": To "eat thereof" is a metaphor for believing in Jesus, receiving Him, and relying on Him for spiritual nourishment and salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cometh down from heaven" (Greek: ek tou ouranou katabainōn) is a key descriptor used multiple times in this chapter to stress the divine origin of Jesus. The contrast with "not die" (Greek: mē apothanē) highlights the difference between physical death, which all people face, and the spiritual or eternal death that those who partake of the true bread avoid.

Reflection and Application

John 6:50 challenges us to consider what we are truly seeking for sustenance. Are we focused on temporary, physical needs, or are we seeking the spiritual nourishment that only Jesus can provide? Believing in Jesus means trusting Him for our eternal salvation and finding our deepest satisfaction and life in Him. This verse is a powerful reminder that Jesus offers not just temporary relief, but the promise of eternal life to all who receive Him as the true Bread from heaven.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 6:33

    For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

  • 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 6:58

    This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

  • Romans 8:10

    ¶ And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

  • John 8:51

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

  • John 6:42

    And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

  • John 3:13

    And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.
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