John 6:53-63
Summary for John 6:53-58: 6:53-58 a eat the flesh ... drink his blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52 b). His words hinted at the Lord’s Supper yet to come (see Luke 22:19 c). 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.Summary for John 6:60-61: 6:60-61 d Jesus’ language (6:53-58 e) was shocking, offensive (see Gen 9:4-5 f), and hard to understand for his disciples, just as it was to the crowd. Were they to take him literally? How would they eat his flesh? Jesus’ answer is in John 6:63 g.
6:63 h The essence of Jesus’ gift is found in the Holy Spirit alone, not in human effort (literally the flesh). Life and understanding come through the gift of the Spirit (see 14:15-20 i; 20:21-22 j). True life can be found only when the Holy Spirit infuses human life.
Copyright information for
TNotes