John 6:27-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 6:22-27

In these verses we have, I. The careful enquiry which the people made after Christ, John 6:23, 24. They saw the disciples go to sea; they saw Christ retire to the mountain, probably with an intimation that he desired to be private for some time; but, their hearts being set upon making him a king, they way-laid his return, and the day following, the hot fit of their zeal still continuing, 1. They were much at a loss for him. He was gone, and they knew not what was become of him. They saw there... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 6:22-27

6:22-27 On the next day, the crowd which was still standing on the far side of the sea, saw that there had been only one boat, and that Jesus had not gone into the boat with his disciples, but that the disciples had gone away alone. But some boats from Tiberias put in near the place where they had eaten the bread, after the Lord had given thanks. So when they saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples either, they embarked on the boats, and came to Capernaum, looking for Jesus. When they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 6:28-29

6:28-29 They said to him: "What are we to do to work the works of God?" Jesus answered: "This is the work of God, to believe in him whom he has sent." When Jesus spoke about the works of God, the Jews immediately thought in terms of "good" works. It was their conviction that a man by living a good life could earn the favour of God. They held that men could be divided into three classes--those who were good, those who were bad and those who were in between, who, by doing one more good work,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth ,.... Meaning either food for the body, which is perishing; its virtue is perishing; man cannot live by it alone, nor does it last long; its substance is perishing; it is received into the stomach, and there digested; it goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught; and that which it supports, for a while, is perishing; and both the one, and the other, shall be destroyed; even meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: now, though it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:28

Then said they unto him ,.... Understanding by what he said, that they must labour and work, though not for perishing food, yet for durable food; and as they imagined, in order to obtain eternal life by working: what shall we do that we might work the works of God ? Such as are agreeable to his will, are acceptable to him, and well pleasing in his sight: they seem to intimate, as if they desired to know whether there were any other works of this kind, than what Moses had directed them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 6:29

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God ,.... The main and principal one, and which is well pleasing in his sight; and without which it is impossible to please him; and without which no work whatever is a good work; and this is of the operation of God, which he himself works in men; it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God: that ye believe on him whom he hath sent ; there are other works which are well pleasing to God, when rightly performed, but faith is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:27

Labor not for the meat - That is, for that only, but also for the bread, etc. Our Lord wills every man to be active and diligent in that employment in which providence has placed him; but it is his will also that that employment, and all the concerns of life, should be subservient to the interest of his soul. But for that meat, etc. - He who labors not, in the work of his salvation, is never likely to enter into the kingdom of God. Though our labor cannot purchase it, either in whole or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:28

That we might work the works of God? - That is, Divine works, or such as God can approve. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:29

This is the work of God, that ye believe - There is nothing you can be employed in more acceptable to God than in yielding to the evidence set before you, and acknowledging me as your Messiah and the Savior of a lost world. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 6:27

Verse 27 27.Labour for food, not that which perisheth. He shows to what object our desires ought to be directed, namely, to eternal life; but because, in proportion as our understandings are gross, we are always devoted to earthly things, for this reason he corrects that disease which is natural to us, before he points out what we ought to do. The simple doctrine would have been, “Labour to have the incorruptible food;” but, knowing that the senses of men are held bound by earthly cares, he... read more

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