Joh 6:63, 68, 17:8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth . These words have been understood in different ways. The word "Spirit," here, evidently does not refer to the Holy Ghost, for he adds, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit ." He refers here, probably, to the doctrine which he had been teaching in opposition to their notions and desires. " My doctrine is spiritual; it is fitted to quicken and nourish the soul. It is from heaven. Your doctrine or your views are earthly , and may be called flesh , or fleshly, as pertaining only to the support of the body. You place a great value on the doctrine that Moses fed the body ; yet that did not permanently profit, for your fathers are dead. You seek also food from me, but your views and desires are gross and earthly." Quickeneth . Gives life. . The flesh . Your carnal views and desires, and the literal understanding of my doctrine. By this Jesus shows them that he did not intend that his words should be taken literally. Profiteth nothing . Would not avail to the real wants of man. The bread that Moses gave, the food which you seek, would not be of real value to man's highest wants. They are spirit . They are spiritual. They are not to be understood literally , as if you were really to eat my flesh, but they are to be understood as denoting the need of that provision for the soul which God has made by my coming into the world. Are life . Are fitted to produce or give life to the soul dead in sins. (x) "It is the Spirit"

John 6:63

Verse 63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. These words have been understood in different ways. The word "Spirit," here, evidently does not refer to the Holy Ghost, for he adds, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit." He refers here, probably, to the doctrine which he had been teaching in opposition to their notions and desires. "My doctrine is spiritual; it is fitted to quicken and nourish the soul. It is from heaven. Your doctrine or your views are earthly, and may be called flesh, or fleshly, as pertaining only to the support of the body. You place a great value on the doctrine that Moses fed the body; yet that did not permanently profit, for your fathers are dead. You seek also food from me, but your views and desires are gross and earthly."

Quickeneth. Gives life. Jn 5:21.

The flesh. Your carnal views and desires, and the literal understanding of my doctrine. By this Jesus shows them that he did not intend that his words should be taken literally.

Profiteth nothing. Would not avail to the real wants of man. The bread that Moses gave, the food which you seek, would not be of real value to man's highest wants.

They are spirit. They are spiritual. They are not to be understood literally, as if you were really to eat my flesh, but they are to be understood as denoting the need of that provision for the soul which God has made by my coming into the world.

Are life. Are fitted to produce or give life to the soul dead in sins.

(x) "It is the Spirit" 2Cor 3:6

John 6:68

Verse 68. Simon Peter answered him. With characteristic ardour and promptness. Peter was probably one of the oldest of the apostles, and it was his character to be first and most ardent in his professions.

To whom shall we go? This implied their firm conviction that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he alone was able to save them. It is one of Peter's noble confessions--the instinctive promptings of a pious heart and of ardent love. There was no one else who could teach them. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes were corrupt, and unable to guide them aright; and, though the doctrines of Jesus were mysterious, yet they were the only doctrines that could instruct and save them.

Thou hast, &c. The meaning of this is, thou teachest the doctrines which lead to eternal life. And from this we may learn,

1st. That we are to expect that some of the doctrines of the Bible will be mysterious.

2nd. That, though they are difficult to be understood, yet we should not therefore reject them.

3rd. That nothing would be gained by rejecting them. The atheist, the infidel--nay, the philosopher, believes, or professes to believe, propositions quite as mysterious as any in the Bible.

4th. That poor, lost, sinful man has nowhere else to go but to Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and if the sinner betakes himself to any other way he will wander and die.

5th. We should, therefore, on no account forsake the teachings of the Son of God. The words that he speaks are spirit and are life.

(b) "the words of eternal" Acts 5:20, 7:38

John 17:8

Verse 8. The words. The doctrines. Christ often represented himself as instructed and sent to teach certain great truths to men. Those he taught, and no others. Jn 5:30.

(n) "the words thou givest me" Jn 6:68, 14:10