John 6:55

KJV

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} my {G3450} flesh {G4561} is {G2076} meat {G1035} indeed {G230}, and {G2532} my {G3450} blood {G129} is {G2076} drink {G4213} indeed {G230}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Berean Standard Bible

For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.

American Standard Version

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 6:55 stands as a profound declaration within Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse, asserting the absolute necessity of His person and atoning work for eternal spiritual sustenance. Following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus elevates the discussion from physical bread to Himself as the true, life-giving nourishment. This verse, with its emphatic repetition, underscores the unparalleled reality and efficacy of His sacrificial body and blood as the sole means of genuine spiritual life and communion with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical component of Jesus' extended discourse on the "Bread of Life" in [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - The Bread of Life Discourse"). It immediately follows Jesus' challenging statement in [John 6:54](/john/6-54 "John 6:54 - Eating Flesh and Drinking Blood") that "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life." The preceding verses ([John 6:48-51](/john/6-48-51 "John 6:48-51 - Jesus as the Living Bread")) establish Jesus as the "living bread which came down from heaven," contrasting Himself with the manna eaten by their ancestors. The audience's literal interpretation of His words, particularly the shocking imagery of eating flesh and drinking blood, leads to significant controversy and eventual departure of many disciples, highlighting the profound spiritual chasm between Jesus' teaching and their carnal understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' discourse took place in Capernaum, a significant Galilean town. The Jewish audience was deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, which strictly forbade the consumption of blood ([Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption")), as blood represented life itself and was reserved for atonement. This prohibition made Jesus' words particularly scandalous and difficult to accept literally. Furthermore, the memory of the manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")) was central to their understanding of divine provision, setting the stage for Jesus to present Himself as the superior, true bread from heaven, offering eternal life rather than mere temporal sustenance.
* **Key Themes:** John 6:55 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It reinforces the theme of **Jesus as the exclusive source of life**, echoing statements like "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")" and "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life")." The verse also deepens the theme of **spiritual nourishment**, contrasting physical sustenance with the eternal sustenance found only in Christ. Most significantly, it foreshadows the **reality and efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice**, with the "flesh" and "blood" directly pointing to His impending crucifixion and the shedding of His blood for the remission of sins. This theme of substitutionary atonement is foundational to the New Testament understanding of salvation, as seen in passages like [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** G4561. This term, while literally referring to the meat of an animal or the physical body, is used here by Jesus to signify His entire human person, His incarnate existence. In the context of His impending sacrifice, "flesh" points specifically to His physical body that would be broken and offered on the cross. It represents the tangible reality of His humanity, through which He would accomplish salvation.
* **meat (Greek, _brōsis'_):** G1035. Derived from a word meaning "to eat," _brōsis_ refers to food or the act of eating. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual sustenance provided by Jesus' person and work. It emphasizes that His "flesh" is not merely symbolic but is genuinely and effectively the spiritual food necessary for eternal life, contrasting with any perishable physical food.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** G129. This term refers to literal blood, but in Jewish thought, blood was intrinsically linked to life and was the means of atonement. Jesus' mention of His "blood" directly anticipates His sacrificial death, where His life would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. It signifies the life-giving, atoning power of His sacrifice, which believers must spiritually "drink" or appropriate by faith.
* **drink (Greek, _pósis'_):** G4213. This word denotes the act of drinking or a draught. Like "meat," "drink" is used metaphorically to represent the spiritual appropriation of the life-giving power inherent in Christ's sacrificial blood. It signifies the complete reliance on and assimilation of His atoning work as the source of spiritual vitality and eternal life.
* **indeed (Greek, _alēthōs'_):** G230. This adverb means "truly," "verily," or "genuinely." Its emphatic repetition ("meat indeed... drink indeed") serves to underscore the absolute truth, reality, and efficacy of Jesus' statement. It highlights that what He offers is not a mere symbol or a temporary provision, but the ultimate, genuine, and indispensable spiritual nourishment for eternal life, contrasting with any false or insufficient alternatives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For my flesh is meat indeed,"**: Jesus begins with "For" (G1063, _gár_), introducing the reason or explanation for His preceding statements about eternal life. He asserts that His "flesh" (His incarnate person, specifically His body offered in sacrifice) is "meat indeed." This is a profound declaration that His physical humanity, culminating in His death, is the true and essential spiritual sustenance for humanity. It is not merely symbolic but genuinely provides life.
* **"and my blood is drink indeed."**: This parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the first. His "blood" (representing His life poured out in atonement) is "drink indeed." Just as physical drink sustains life, His shed blood provides the spiritual life and cleansing necessary for salvation. The repetition of "indeed" (G230, _alēthōs_) for both "meat" and "drink" powerfully emphasizes the absolute reality and indispensable nature of His sacrificial work as the sole source of eternal life and communion with God.

#### Literary Devices
John 6:55 employs several powerful literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, with Jesus using the physical acts of eating and drinking to represent spiritual appropriation and communion. His "flesh" and "blood" are not literal food and drink but metaphors for His person and His atoning sacrifice. The repeated use of "indeed" (Greek _alēthōs_) creates strong **emphasis** and **reiteration**, underscoring the absolute truth and reality of His claims, leaving no room for doubt about the essential nature of what He offers. This emphatic language also serves as a form of **hyperbole** designed to shock and provoke His listeners, forcing them to consider a deeper, spiritual meaning beyond their literal interpretations. The **parallelism** between "my flesh is meat indeed" and "my blood is drink indeed" creates a balanced and memorable statement, reinforcing the inseparable nature of His body and blood in His redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:55 is a cornerstone for understanding the profound spiritual union believers have with Christ and the absolute necessity of His atoning sacrifice. It moves beyond a mere intellectual assent to Jesus' identity, calling for a deep, personal appropriation of His life and death. The "eating" and "drinking" signify a complete reliance on Him, a spiritual assimilation of His redemptive work into one's very being. This verse, while primarily speaking of spiritual realities, also provides foundational theological grounding for the Christian sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Communion), which visibly symbolizes this spiritual truth. It teaches that true life is found not in physical sustenance or human effort, but solely in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, made available through faith.

* [Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26-28 "Institution of the Lord's Supper")
* [1 Corinthians 10:16](/1_corinthians/10-16 "Participation in the Body and Blood of Christ")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 6:55 challenges us to examine the source of our spiritual nourishment. In a world that constantly offers temporary satisfactions and fleeting pleasures, Jesus declares that only He provides true, eternal sustenance. To "eat His flesh" and "drink His blood" means to fully embrace His identity as the Son of God, to believe in the efficacy of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and to continually draw life and strength from Him through faith. This involves not just an initial act of belief, but an ongoing, intimate relationship where His Word, His Spirit, and His very life become the essential nourishment for our souls. It calls us to depend entirely on His finished work for our salvation and sanctification, recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. This verse invites us to a deeper, more profound communion with our Savior, reminding us that He is truly our all in all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me, personally, to "eat Jesus' flesh" and "drink His blood" in my daily life?**
* **How does my reliance on Christ for spiritual nourishment compare to my pursuit of physical or worldly satisfactions?**
* **In what ways can I more intentionally "feed" on Christ through His Word, prayer, and communion with His body, the church?**

### FAQ
**Does John 6:55 advocate for literal cannibalism or is it purely symbolic?**

Answer: John 6:55 does not advocate for literal cannibalism. Jesus' language, while intentionally provocative to challenge His listeners, is deeply metaphorical and spiritual. The "eating of His flesh" and "drinking of His blood" refers to a spiritual appropriation of His person and His atoning work. It means to believe in Him, to fully embrace His identity as the Son of God, and to receive the life that comes through His sacrificial death on the cross. The Jewish audience would have understood the profound theological implications of blood as life and atonement, making the spiritual meaning clear despite the shocking imagery. This understanding is consistent with other passages where Jesus uses physical actions to describe spiritual realities, such as "drinking living water" in [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus and the Living Water").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 6:55 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His incarnation and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The "flesh" refers to His true humanity, the very body He took on when He "[became flesh and dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")," making Him relatable and capable of suffering and dying for humanity. The "blood" points directly to His sacrificial death, where His life was poured out as the perfect, once-for-all atonement for sin, establishing a [new covenant](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood") in His blood. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the true "Bread of Life" who descended from heaven, offering eternal life to all who believe. This spiritual "eating" and "drinking" signifies a complete reliance on His finished work for salvation and an ongoing, intimate union with Him, allowing believers to partake in His divine life and receive the [Holy Spirit](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water"). Thus, John 6:55 is not merely a metaphor but a profound truth about the indispensable nature of Christ's person and sacrifice as the sole source of eternal life and spiritual sustenance for all who come to Him by faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:31

¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;

John 15:1

¶ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 1:9

[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 6:32

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Hebrews 8:2

A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

John 1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!