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.

This {G3778} is {G2076} that bread {G740} which {G3588} came down {G2597} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}: not {G3756} as {G2531} your {G5216} fathers {G3962} did eat {G5315} manna {G3131}, and {G2532} are dead {G599}: he that eateth {G5176} of this {G5126} bread {G740} shall live {G2198} for {G1519} ever {G165}.

So this is the bread that has come down from heaven — it is not like the bread the fathers ate; they’re dead, but whoever eats this bread will live forever!”

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.

John 6:58 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' profound "Bread of Life" discourse, delivered after He miraculously fed the five thousand. Here, Jesus emphatically distinguishes Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance, far superior to the temporary physical provision of manna in the wilderness.

Context

This verse concludes a lengthy teaching by Jesus, which began following the feeding of the five thousand. The crowd, having been physically satisfied, pursued Jesus, seeking more miraculous bread. Jesus, however, redirected their focus from perishable food to "that meat which endureth unto everlasting life" (John 6:27). He then declared Himself to be the "Bread of Life", repeatedly contrasting Himself with the manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness. The core message is that while manna sustained physical life temporarily, Jesus offers eternal life to those who believe in and partake of Him.

Key Themes

  • Jesus as the True and Living Bread: Jesus reiterates His divine origin and purpose, emphasizing that He is the only source of genuine, lasting spiritual nourishment. Unlike the manna, which merely sustained physical bodies, Jesus provides eternal sustenance.
  • Contrast with Manna: The verse directly contrasts Jesus with the manna. While the Israelites ate manna and eventually died, those who "eat of this bread" (a metaphor for believing in and receiving Christ) "shall live for ever." This highlights the superiority of the new covenant provision over the old.
  • Eternal Life through Faith in Christ: The ultimate promise of this verse is eternal life. This "eating" is not a literal physical act but a spiritual one—a deep, abiding faith and reliance on Jesus as the Savior and sustainer of life. It points to the comprehensive promise of eternal life offered through Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "eat" (esthio, ἐσθίω) in this context signifies more than a casual intake; it implies a deep, personal appropriation and assimilation. It speaks to a continuous, internalizing process of drawing life from Jesus. The phrase "live for ever" (ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, zesetai eis ton aiona) unequivocally points to everlasting life, a spiritual existence that transcends physical death.

Practical Application

John 6:58 calls believers to a profound spiritual reality. Just as our bodies require physical food, our souls require spiritual nourishment. This verse reminds us that only Jesus Christ can truly satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst. To "eat of this bread" today means:

  • Placing Faith in Jesus: Trusting in His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection for salvation.
  • Continual Reliance: Daily drawing spiritual strength and guidance from Him through prayer, studying His Word, and living in obedience.
  • Embracing Eternal Hope: Living with the assurance that through Christ, we possess not just a temporary existence, but an eternal life with God.

This verse encourages us to shift our focus from temporary earthly provisions to the enduring, life-giving sustenance found only in Jesus, the true Bread from heaven.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 3:36

    He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  • John 6:47

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

  • 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 6:31

    Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

  • John 6:34

    Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

  • John 6:41

    The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

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