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Scripture reading – John 6
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.
Though not among the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the Gospel of John sometimes presents events in Christ’s life and ministry that parallel and harmonize with the Synoptics. After all, John was one of the Twelve disciples, and his Gospel and Epistles bear witness to Christ’s daily ministry. The Gospel of John supplements the Synoptic record, sometimes recording parallel events but more often presenting details that add a different dimension to Christ’s person, doctrine, and life. While the Synoptics announce, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John focuses on declaring that eternal life comes through Christ alone (John 3:16-18).
John 6:1-14 recounts Christ’s “Feeding the 5,000” and adds details the Synoptics do not present (not as a contradiction, but as a supplement to those Gospels). John 6:16-21 presents the scene in which the disciples were in a great storm on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus came to them walking on the water and said, “It is I; be not afraid” (John 6:20). The rest of John 6 recounts the events that followed the day after Jesus fed the 5,000 and rescued His disciples at sea (John 6:22).
The People Came Seeking Jesus (John 6:23-27)
The day after witnessing the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, those who had seen the miracle came to Jesus by boat (for He had crossed the water in the night while the people remained on the other side; John 6:22-24). Arriving in Capernaum, the people found Jesus and His disciples and asked, “Rabbi [i.e., teacher], when camest thou hither?” (John 6:25).
Jesus’ response revealed that they sought Him not because they believed He was the Messiah, but because they wanted food. Jesus declared, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26). Knowing their hearts, Christ understood that the people had an appetite for physical food but not for the spiritual food He offered.
As you read today’s Scripture, remember that Jesus spoke figuratively, but the people interpreted His words literally. Jesus therefore reproved them for their selfish motives and said, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:27). Taking His words literally, the people asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” (John 6:28). Once again, their interest was in what they could do to obtain food that would give them eternal life.
Correct Answer, Wrong Focus (John 6:29-34)
Jesus’ answer shifted the conversation from their misplaced focus on works to the only way a sinner can please God—faith.
Jesus declared, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). How did the people respond? They asked for an outward sign of power, saying, “What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?” (John 6:30).
Though they had witnessed His miracles, they still required a physical, miraculous sign before they would believe. Still desiring bread for their physical appetites, they spoke of the “bread from heaven” their forefathers had eaten in the wilderness (John 6:31). Jesus corrected their assertion, reminding them that the bread their forefathers had eaten in the wilderness was physical bread. However, “the bread of God” they were offered was “the true bread from heaven…which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:32-33).
Still blind to the spiritual and symbolic truth Jesus taught, the people answered, “Lord, evermore give us this bread” (John 6:34). Jesus responded to their request, emphasizing:
“I AM the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35-51)
He was the “Bread of Life,” obtainable only by faith (John 6:35). The people had seen Jesus’ miracles, yet they lacked faith (John 6:36). Christ declared that, like the manna that fell from heaven and fed the people in the wilderness, He “came down from heaven, not to do [His] own will, but the will of him that sent [Him]“ (John 6:38).
Many of the Jews rejected Jesus’ statement when He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:41). They murmured because they knew Him as “the son of Joseph” (John 6:42). Jesus, knowing their thoughts, rebuked them and warned, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).
Speaking figuratively, Jesus declared again, “I am that bread of life… 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 6:48, 51).
Jesus Reproved the People (John 6:52-66)
Tragically, the people’s hearts were hard, and their eyes were blind. When Jesus offered them His flesh and blood (John 6:53-58), He was referring to His Word and doctrine. How do we know He was speaking of His doctrine? The answer is found in John 6:63, where we read, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63b).
Jesus offered the people eternal life if they believed Him and accepted His Word and doctrine. Sadly, we read, “From that time many of His disciples [i.e., not the Twelve] went back, and walked no more with Him” (John 6:66). He then turned to the Twelve and asked, “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67).
Peter answered Jesus and confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69).
Jesus then foretold, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70). What a powerful, prophetic declaration! Who among the Twelve was “a devil”? The disciples no doubt marveled at Jesus’ bold statement, and, of course, no one suspected Judas! John later wrote in his Gospel, “He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:71).
Closing thoughts –
Besides the Twelve, many considered themselves “disciples” [i.e., students] and followers of Jesus Christ. However, when they realized that salvation was through Christ alone, they rejected Him and walked away (John 6:66).
Sadly, the same is true of churches and congregations today. Many have “religion,” but I fear many lack a genuine, sincere relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I urge you to examine your heart, confess your sin, and believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead (1 John 5:11-13).
Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith
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