Joh 6:26-59 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for John 6:26-59: 6:26-59 This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59 ) shortly before Passover (6:4 ), when Jews read the account of the exodus from Egypt (see Exod 1–15 ). 6:26 The crowd, which had concluded that Jesus was a prophet and wanted to take advantage of him politically (see 6:15 ), failed to see the meaning of the miracle, which Jesus then explained (6:27-59 ).

Summary for John 6:26-59: 6:26-59 ^a This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59 ^b) shortly before Passover (6:4 ^c), when Jews read the account of the exodus from Egypt (see Exod 1–15 ^d). 6:26 ^e The crowd, which had concluded that Jesus was a prophet and wanted to take advantage of him politically (see 6:15 ^f), failed to see the meaning of the miracle, which Jesus then explained (6:27-59 ^g).
6:27 ^h Jesus’ most profound gift was not physical bread, but eternal life, which the Father authorized him to give. Physical bread is perishable; the gift of Jesus, who is himself the bread of life (6:35 ⁱ), will last forever.
6:30 ^j The crowd demanded a miraculous sign to demonstrate Jesus’ status as Messiah. Jews believed that when the Messiah appeared, he would duplicate the great miracle of Moses. Manna would once again fall, and everyone would consider it a second exodus.
Summary for John 6:32-33: 6:32-33 ^k Jesus corrected the people’s argument: God, not Moses, fed Israel in the wilderness. The most important quest is to find and consume the true bread of God, who gives eternal life.
6:34 ^l Sir, ... give us that bread: This request parallels the request of the Samaritan woman (4:15 ^m). Spiritual awakening begins with a request for God’s gift.
6:35 ⁿ Jesus’ I am statements in John depict Jesus’ identity and ministry (see also 4:26 ^o; 8:12 ^p; 9:5 ^q; 10:7-9 ^r, 11-14 ^s; 11:25 ^t; 14:6 ^u; 15:1-5 ^v). Jesus purposefully used a phrase that would make his listeners think of the Old Testament name for God (Exod 3:14 ^w).

• I am the bread of life: Jesus is the true manna that descended from God (John 6:38 ^x). He satisfies the spiritual hunger of those who believe in him (cp. 4:10-13 ^y).
Summary for John 6:37-40: 6:37-40 ^z Jesus’ mission in the world is sure to succeed. God sent Jesus (6:38 ^aa) and calls people to follow him (6:37 ^ab, 44 ^ac). Those who come to him are secure in Jesus’ promise that he will not reject them or lose them (6:39 ^ad). 6:37 ^ae those the Father has given: God moves in people’s hearts, bringing them to Jesus.
Summary for John 6:41-42: 6:41-42 ^af When Jesus identified himself as the true bread ... from heaven, the crowd faced a decision.

• Isn’t this ... the son of Joseph? They stumbled because their familiarity with Jesus made his claims seem outlandish.
Summary for John 6:43-51: 6:43-51 ^ag Stop complaining: Rather than defending himself against their complaint (6:42 ^ah), Jesus turns to the problem of their spiritual receptivity. Those who love the Father and listen to him will believe in Jesus.
Summary for John 6:49-50: 6:49-50 ^ai Jesus connected the manna of the Exodus with himself, then pointed out a major difference: The Israelites remained mortal and they all died, whereas the bread from heaven (Jesus himself) provides eternal life (6:47 ^aj, 51 ^ak, 58 ^al).
6:51 ^am this bread ... is my flesh: The gift that brings life is now unveiled. On the cross, Jesus offered his flesh for the life of the world.
Summary for John 6:53-58: 6:53-58 ^an eat the flesh ... drink his blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52 ^ao). His words hinted at the Lord’s Supper yet to come (see Luke 22:19 ^ap). Since “flesh and blood” was a Jewish idiom for the whole person, Jesus might have been calling people to consume him fully by completely believing in him. Some Christian traditions see the bread as Christ’s literal flesh broken for us and the wine as his literal blood poured out for us. Others take the meaning in purely spiritual terms. Either way, receiving communion means no less than embracing Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice.