Jesus therefore said to them, with the tones of special emphasis, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses, of whom you are reasonably thinking with due reverence, who gave £ you the bread out of heaven. There are two assertions here. There is also an implication, which the hearers of Jesus were called on to make. read more
The true Bread. From any other than Jesus Christ this language would have been egotistical in the extreme. Coming from his lips, referring as it did to himself, this declaration is natural enough. For since he was the Son of God, no claim inferior to this would have been just. It is a marvellous metaphor, this, in which our Lord proclaims himself the true Bread, the Bread from heaven, the Bread of God, the Bread of life. I. CONSIDER THE HUNGER OF THE SOUL WHICH IS ... read more
For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life to the world. It is debated whether the ὁ καταβαίνων is "he who cometh down," or "that (bread) which cometh," etc.—whether in this verse the Lord passes at once to the identification of himself with the bread, or for a moment longer is delaying the announcement, and broadly asserting the qualities of that "bread of God," viz. that whoever and whatever it is, IT comes from heaven, and gives life, not merely... read more
They said therefore to him, Lord! His hearers have clearly been more impressed than ever with the extraordinary claims of the speaker. They have risen from the "Rabbi" of John 6:26 to "Kyrie," which implies, as the "Kyrie," or "Sir," or "Lord" of John 4:15 , some advance in their tone of deference. The request that follows is neither ironical nor sarcastic, nor need it be as carnal in its spirit as the similar language of the woman of Samaria ( John 4:15 ). They have some dim notion of... read more
The divergence between the thoughts of Jesus and those of the Jews. A rupture was clearly at hand. The people had hopes of merely material blessing. I. THE JEWS ASK FOR THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN . "Lord, evermore give us this bread." 1 . They ask for a continuous supply of it . 2 . Their demand betrays a carnal spirit, that speaks of either sensual want, or covetousness, or the spirit of idleness; for no more labour would be expended upon the production of food.... read more
What sign showest thou? - On the word sign, compare the notes at Isaiah 7:14. What miracle dost thou work to prove that thou art the Messiah? They had just seen the miracle of the loaves in the desert, which was sufficient to show that he was the Messiah, and it would seem from the preceding narrative that those who crossed the lake to see him supposed that he was the Christ. It seems wonderful that they should so soon ask for further evidence that he was sent from God; but it is not improbable... read more
Our fathers - The Jews who were led by Moses through the wilderness.Did eat manna - This was the name given by the Jews to the food which was furnished to them by God in their journey. It means literally, “What is this?” and was the question which they asked when they first saw it, Exodus 16:14-15. It was small like frost, and of the size of coriander-seed, and had a sweetish taste like honey. It fell in great quantities, and was regarded by the Jews as proof of a continued miracle during forty... read more
Moses gave you not that bread from heaven - This might be translated, “Moses gave you not the bread of heaven.” The word “that,” which makes some difference in the sense, is not necessary to express the meaning of the original. It does not appear that Jesus intended to call in question the fact that their fathers were fed by the instrumentality of Moses, but to state that he did not give them the true bread that was adapted to the wants of the soul. He fed the Body, although his food did not... read more
The bread of God - The means of support which God furnishes. That which, in his view, is needful for man.Is he ... - Is the Messiah who has come from heaven.And giveth life ... - See the notes at John 1:4. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 6:31
Our fathers, they continued , ate the manna in the wilderness; even as it has been written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. If Moses did this, the Christ should do more, seeing he makes this exhaustive claim upon our faith. The manna (see Exodus 16:1-36 .; Numbers 11:1-35 .) appeared like the hoar frost out of heaven. It was gifted with numerous qualities—perishable if not immediately used, respecting in mysterious way the sabbath sanctity, attending the Israelites through... read more