John 6:52

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John 6:52 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

King James Version KJV

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

American Standard Version ASV

The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then the Jews had an angry discussion among themselves, saying, How is it possible for this man to give us his flesh for food?

Free Bible Version FBV

Then the Jews argued heatedly among themselves. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then the Iewes stroue among themselues, saying, Howe can this man giue vs his flesh to eate?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

The Jews, therefore, were striving with one another, saying, 'How is this one able to give us [his] flesh to eat?'

World English Bible WEB

The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The Jews therefore contended among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then the Jewish leaders [SYN] began to argue among themselves. They said, “◄There is no way this man can give us his flesh to eat!/How can this man give us his flesh to eat?►” [RHQ]

Plain English Version PEV

The Jewish leaders heard what he said, and they started to argue with each other about what Jesus meant. They said, “He reckons he will give people his body to eat. What does he mean? We can’t eat his body.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — John 6:52

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

John 6:52 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK εμαχοντο ουν προς αλληλους οι ιουδαιοι λεγοντες πως δυναται ουτος ημιν δουναι την σαρκα φαγειν

εμαχοντο machomai G3164 to quarrel Verb-INI-3P

ουν oun G3767 therefore/then Conj

προς pros G4314 to/with Prep

αλληλους allēlōn G240 one another C-APM

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

ιουδαιοι Ioudaios G2453 Jew Adj-NPM

λεγοντες legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-NPM

πως pōs G4459 how?! Adv-I

δυναται dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-3S

ουτος ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-NSM

ημιν egō G1473 I/we Pron-1DP

δουναι didōmi G1325 to give Verb-2AAN

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

σαρκα sarx G4561 flesh Noun-ASF

φαγειν phagein G5315 to eat Verb-2AAN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — John 6:52

εμαχοντο machomai G3164 "to quarrel" Verb-INI-3P

To quarrel or fight, as seen in Acts 7:26 and 2 Timothy 2:24, where it means to dispute or argue with someone.

Definition: μάχομαι [in LXX chiefly for רִיב, also for נָצָה ni., etc. ;] __1. to fight: Act.7:26. __2. to quarrel, dispute: 2Ti.2:24, Jas.4:2; πρὸς ἀλλήλους, Jhn.6:52 (cf. δια-μάχομαι).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: fight, strive See also: 2 Timothy 2:24; James 4:2; John 6:52.

ουν oun G3767 "therefore/then" Conj

This word means therefore or then, showing a consequence. It appears in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 5:9 to connect ideas and events.

Definition: οὖν, particle expressing consequence or simple sequence (never standing first in a sentence), wherefore, therefore, then: Mat.3:10, Luk.3:9, Jhn.8:38, Act.1:21, Rom.5:9, al.; in exhortations, Mat.3:8, Luk.11:35, Act.3:19, Rom.6:12, al.; in questions, Mat.13:28, Mrk.15:12, Jhn.8:[5], Rom.6:1, al.; continuing a narrative or resuming it after a digression, Mat.1:17, Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:22 2:18 (and very frequently in this Gospel), Act.26:22, al.; ἄρα οὖν (see: ἄρα); ἐπεὶ οὖν, Heb.2:14; οὖν with ptcp. (= ἐπεὶ οὖν), Act.2:30, Rom.5:1, al.; ἐὰν οὖν (where οὖν rather in sense belongs to the apodosis), Mat.5:23, Luk.4:7, Jhn.6:62, Rom.2:26, al.; ὡς οὖν, Jhn.4:1, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 515 NT verses. KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 23:15; 1 Peter 2:1.

προς pros G4314 "to/with" Prep

A preposition showing direction or relationship, like towards or with something, as seen in Mark 5:11 and John 18:16. This means indicating movement or direction. It's about showing proximity or connection.

Definition: πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative __I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). __II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. __III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. __1. Of place, __(a) after verbs of motion or of speaking and other words with the idea of direction: ἔρχομαι, ἀναβαίνω, πορεύομαι, λέγω, ἐπιστολή, etc., Mat.3:14, Mrk.6:51, Luk.11:5, Jhn.2:3, Act.9:2, al. mult.; metaphorically, of mental direction, hostile or otherwise, Luk.23:12, Jhn.6:52, 2Co.7:4, Eph.6:12, Col.3:13, al.; of the issue or end, Luk.14:32, Jhn.11:4, al.; of purpose, Mat.26:12, Rom.3:26, 1Co.6:5, al.; πρὸς τό, with inf., denoting purpose (cf. M, Pr., 218, 220; Lft., Notes, 131), Mat.5:28, Mrk.13:22, Eph.6:11, 1Th.2:9, al.; __(b) of close proximity, at, by, with: Mat.3:10, Mrk.11:4, Luk.4:11, Act.3:2, al.; after εἶναι, Mat.13:56, Mrk.6:3, Jhn.1:1, al. __2. 2. Of time, __(a) towards (Plat., Xen., LXX: Gen.8:11, al.): Luk.24:29; __(b) for: πρὸς καιρόν, Luk.8:13, 1Co.7:5; πρὸς ὥραν, Jhn.5:35, al.; πρὸς ὀλίγον, Jas.4:14. __3. Of relation __(a) toward, with: Rom.5:1, 2Co.1:12, Col.4:5, 1Th.4:12, al.; __(b) with regard to: Mat.19:8, Mrk.12:12, Rom.8:31, al.; __(with) pertaining to, to: Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; __(d) according to: Luk.12:47, 2Co.5:10, Gal.2:14, Eph.3:4 4:14; __(e) in comparison with: Rom.8:18. __IV. In composition: towards (προσέρχομαι), to (προσάγω), against (προσκόπτω), besides (προσδαπανάω) . (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 655 NT verses. KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:4.

αλληλους allēlōn G240 "one another" C-APM

This word means one another, indicating mutual action or relationship. In Matthew 25:32 and John 13:22, it describes how people interact with each other.

Definition: ἀλλήλων (genitive pl.), dative -οις, -αις, accusative -ους, -ας, -α (no nom.), recipr. pron. (ἄλλος), of one another, mutually: Mat.25:32, Mrk.4:41, Jhn.13:22, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 93 NT verses. KJV: each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with G3326 (μετά) or G4314 (πρός)) See also: 1 Corinthians 7:5; John 4:33; 1 Peter 1:22.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ιουδαιοι Ioudaios G2453 "Jew" Adj-NPM

This word means a person from Judah or a Jew, used in Acts 10:28 and John 4:9 to describe people of Jewish descent. It is also used to describe the land of Judah, as in Matthew 2:6.

Definition: Ἰουδαῖος, -αία, -αῖον (Ἰούδας), Jewish: ἀνήρ, Act.10:28 22:3; ἄνθρωπος, Act.21:39; ψευδοπροφήτης, 13:6; ἀσχιερεύς, 19:14; γυνή, 16:1 24:24; γῆ, Jhn.3:22; χώρα, Mrk.1:5. Substantively, __(a) Ἰουδαῖος, ὁ, a Jew: Jhn.4:9, Act.18:24, Rom.2:28; pl., Rev.2:9 3:9; οἱ Ἰ., Mat.2:2, Mrk.7:3, Jhn.2:6, al.; Ἰ. τε καὶ Ἕλληνες, Act.14:1, al.; κ. προσήλυτοι, Act.2:10; ἔθνη τε κ. Ἰ., Act.14:5; οἱ κατὰ τὰ ἔθνη, Act.21:21; of Jewish Christians, Gal.2:13; of the ruling class who opposed Jesus, Jhn.1:19 2:18 5:10 11:8 13:33, al.; __(b) Ἰουδαία, -ας, ἡ (sc. γῆ, χώρα, cf. Jhn.3:22, Mrk.1:5), (Heb. יְהוּדָה), Judæa: Mat.2:1, Luk.1:5, Jhn.4:3, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 188 NT verses. KJV: Jew(-ess), of Judæa See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 2:13; Revelation 2:9.

λεγοντες legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-NPM

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

πως pōs G4459 "how?!" Adv-I

How is a question about the way something is done, as in Matthew 12:29, or an exclamation of surprise, like how much something is.

Definition: πῶς, interrog. adv., correl. of ὅπως, __1. prop., in direct questions, how?: with indic., Mat.12:29, Mrk.3:23, Luk.11:18, Jhn.3:4, al.; καὶ π., Mrk.4:13, Luk.20:44; π. οὖν, Mat.12:26; π. οὐ, Mat.16:11, Luk.12:56; in deliberative questions (cf. Bl., §64, 6), with subjc., Mat.23:33 26:54; π. οὖν, Rom.10:14; π. δέ, Rom.10:14, 15; before ἄν, with optative, Act.8:31. __2. As sometimes in cl. but more frequently and increasingly so in late writers (see WM, §57, 2; Bl., §70, 2; Thumb, MGr., 192; Jannaris, Gr., App., vi, 13f.), = ὅπως, ὥς; __(a) in indirect discourse: with indic., Mat.6:28, Mrk.12:41, Luk.8:36, Jhn.9:15, Act.9:27, al.; with subjc., Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:11; __(b) in exclamations: Mat.21:20, Mrk.10:23, 24 Luk.12:50 18:24, Jhn.11:36. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 104 NT verses. KJV: how, after (by) what manner (means), that See also: 1 Corinthians 3:10; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 2:3.

δυναται dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-3S

To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.

Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

ουτος ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-NSM

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.

ημιν egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1DP

This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.

Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.

δουναι didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-2AAN

To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16

Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σαρκα sarx G4561 "flesh" Noun-ASF

Flesh refers to the physical body, like the meat of an animal or the human body, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:39 and Luke 24:39.

Definition: σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for בָּשָׂר ;] flesh; __1. as in cl. generally, __(a) prop., of the soft substance of the animal body: 1Co.15:39, 2Co.12:7, Gal.6:13, al.; σ. καὶ αἷμα, 1Co.5:50; σ. καὶ ὀστέα, Luk.24:39; pl., of the flesh of many or parts of the flesh of one (cl.), Rev.17:16 19:18; φαγεῖν, Re, ll. with (cf. κατεσθίειν, 4Ki.9:36, al., and βιβρώσκειν, frequently in l.); metaphorically, Jas.5:3; mystically, φ. (τρώγειν) τὴν σ. τοῦ υἱοῦ τ. ἀνθρώπου, Jhn.6:52-56; __(b) Of the whole substance of the body, = σῶμα: Act.2:26 (LXX), 31, 2Co.12:7, Gal.4:14, Eph.5:29; μία σ., Mrk.10:8; εἰς σ. μίαν (Gen.2:24), Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, 1Co.6:16, Eph.5:31; hence, of the material as opposite to the immaterial part of man (cf. Lft., Notes, 88): opposite to πνεῦμα, 1Co.5:5, 2Co.7:1, Col.2:5, 1Pe.3:18, 4:6; to ψύχη, Act.2:31, Rec.; of the present life, ἐν (τῇ) σ., Rom.7:5, Gal.2:20, Php.1:22, 24 1Pe.4:2; of Christ's life on earth, αἱ ἡμέραι τ. σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ, Heb.5:7; of things pertaining to the body, ἐν (τῇ) σ., Gal.6:12, 13 Php.3:3, 4. __2. As in Heb. idiom, __(a) of a living creature: πᾶσα σ. (Heb. כָּל־בָּשָׂר; cf. Bl., §47, 9), Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, 1Pe.1:24; esp. of man and his mortality (Psa.55 (56):5, Sir.28:5, al.), Jhn.1:14; πᾶσα σ. (see supr.), Luk.3:6, Jhn.17:2, Act.2:17, ἐν σ., 1Jo.4:2, 1Ti.3:16; __(b) of natural origin and relationship (Gen.2:24, Isa.58:7, al.): τέκνα τῆς σ., Rom.9:8; κατὰ σάρκα, ib. 3, 5, 1Co.10:18, Gal.4:23, 29; ἡ σ. μου, Rom.11:14 (cf. Jdg.9:2, 2Ki.5:1, al.). __3. Of the physical nature as subject to sensation and desire (Plut.), __(a) without any ethical disparagement: Rom.7:18 13:14; opposite to πνεῦμα, Mat.26:41, Mrk.14:38; τ. θέλημα τῆς σ., Jhn.1:13; ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σ., 1Jn.2:16; pl., 2Pe.2:18; παθεῖν σαρκί, 1Pe.4:1; __(b) in ethical sense, esp. in Pauline Epp., of the flesh as the seat and vehicle of sinful desires: opposite to νοῦς, Rom.7:25; to πνεῦμα, Rom.8:4-9, 12, 13, Gal.5:16, 17 19 6:8 (cf. DB, ii, 14f.; iv, 165f.; Cremer, 844ff.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 130 NT verses. KJV: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Galatians 6:12; 1 Peter 1:24.

φαγειν phagein G5315 "to eat" Verb-2AAN

This Greek word means to eat, whether literally or figuratively, as seen in Matthew 14:20 and 1 Corinthians 11:21. It can also refer to partaking in food and drink, like in 1 Corinthians 9:4. The word is often used in the context of everyday life and community.

Definition: φάγομαιHellenistic for cl. ἔδομαι, see: ἐσθίω. ἐσθίω, and (poet, and late prose) ἔσθω, [in LXX chiefly for אכל ;] to eat; __(a) absol.: Mat.14:20, 21 Mrk.6:31, Jhn.4:31, al.; ἐν τ. φαγεῖν (on this aor. form, see M, Pr., 111), 1Co.11:21; διδόναι φαγεῖν, with dative of person(s), Mrk.5:43, al.; ἐ. καὶ πίνειν, Mat.6:25, 31 Luk.10:7, al.; of ordinary use of food and drink, 1Co.9:4 11:22; of partaking of food at table, Mrk.2:16, Luk.5:30, al.; opposite to fasting, Mat.11:18, Luk.5:33, al.; of revelling, Mat.24:49, Luk.12:45 . __(b) with accusative of thing(s): Mat.6:25, Mrk.1:6, Jhn.6:31, Rom.14:2, al.; ἄρτον (Heb. אָכַל לֶחֶם), Mat.15:2, Mrk.3:20, al.; τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἄ., 2Th.3:12; ἄ. before παρά, genitive of person(s), 2Th.3:8; τά before id., Luk.10:7; τ. πάσχα, Mat.26:17, Mrk.14:12 al; τ. κυριακὸν δεῖπνον, 1Co.11:20; τ. θυσίας, 1Co.10:18; before ἐκ (= cl. part. genitive), Jhn.6:26, 5o, 51, 1Co.11:28; ἀπό (cf. Heb. אָכַל מִן), Mat.15:27, Mrk.7:28; metaphorically, to devour, consume: Heb.10:27, Jas.5:3, Rev.17:16 (cf. κατ-, συν-εσθίω) . (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 89 NT verses. KJV: eat, meat See also: 1 Corinthians 8:8; Luke 14:15; Hebrews 13:10.

Study Notes — John 6:52

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
John 6:52 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on John 6:52
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 6:52
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 6:52
Trapp's Commentary on John 6:52
Ellicott's Commentary on John 6:52
Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 6:52
Cambridge Bible on John 6:52
Whedon's Commentary on John 6:52
Sermons on John 6:52

Context — Jesus the Bread of Life

50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

52At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	John 9:16	Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.
2	John 10:19	Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message.
3	John 6:41	At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
4	1 Corinthians 2:14	The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
5	John 3:4	“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”
6	John 3:9	“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
7	Acts 17:32	When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
8	John 4:11	“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water?
9	John 7:40–43	On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? ” So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus.

John 6:52 Summary

In John 6:52, the Jews are confused and even offended by Jesus' statement that He will give them His flesh to eat. They think He means this literally, but Jesus is actually talking about the spiritual act of receiving Him as our Savior. Just like we need food to live physically, we need Jesus to live spiritually, as He says in John 6:51, and this is what it means to 'eat the bread of life' (see also John 4:14). By receiving Jesus and following Him, we can have eternal life, which is a gift that goes beyond our physical lives on earth (as seen in John 3:16 and Romans 6:23).

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Jews understand Jesus to be saying when He spoke of giving them His flesh to eat?

The Jews took Jesus' words literally, as if He was suggesting they physically eat His body, which they found to be a shocking and even cannibalistic idea, as seen in their reaction in John 6:52, and similar misunderstandings are seen in other contexts like John 2:20 and John 4:11.

Is Jesus asking us to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood?

No, Jesus is using a metaphor to describe the spiritual act of receiving Him as our Savior, as clarified in John 6:53-54, where He explains that this is necessary for having eternal life, much like the spiritual eating and drinking described in John 4:14 and John 7:37-38.

Why were the Jews arguing among themselves about Jesus' statement?

The Jews were arguing because they did not understand the spiritual significance of Jesus' words, and they were likely discussing the impossibility and even the taboo nature of literally eating human flesh, which is against the laws given in Leviticus 17:10-14 and Deuteronomy 12:23-25.

What is the significance of the Jews' argument in the context of Jesus' ministry?

The Jews' argument highlights their spiritual blindness and lack of understanding of Jesus' mission, as prophesied in Isaiah 6:9-10 and fulfilled in John 12:37-40, which ultimately leads to their rejection of Him as the Messiah, as seen in John 6:66 and other passages like Matthew 27:20-25.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I, like the Jews, might be misunderstanding or resisting Jesus' teachings in my own life?
How can I, in my daily life, 'eat the flesh' and 'drink the blood' of Jesus, as He commands in John 6:53, and what does this mean for my spiritual nourishment and growth?
In what ways do I find myself arguing with or questioning Jesus' teachings, and how can I come to a deeper understanding and acceptance of His words?
What does it mean for me to 'live forever' as a result of eating the 'bread of life', as Jesus promises in John 6:51, and how does this impact my perspective on earthly life and eternal life?

Gill's Exposition on John 6:52

The Jews therefore strove among themselves,.... Fell to cavilling and disputing one among another; some understanding Christ, and others not; some being for him, and vindicated what he said; and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 6:52

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 6:52

They will still understand spiritual things in a carnal sense; yet it is hard to conceive how they could imagine that Christ spake of giving them his flesh to eat, as men eat the flesh of oxen or sheep; but which way soever they did understand it indeed, their captious temper inclined them to conceal any other sense they had of it, and to represent what our Saviour said as exceedingly absurd.

Trapp's Commentary on John 6:52

52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Ver. 52. Strove among themselves] They tumultuously contradicted, murmured, mutinied, which was a sign of their obstinance and contempt. For otherwise it is not only lawful, but needful, modestly to make inquiry how we may eat Christ spiritually.

Ellicott's Commentary on John 6:52

(52) The Jews therefore strove among themselves.—They have passed beyond the murmuring of Joh 6:41. They understand that He means, though His own words have not yet expressed it, that His flesh is to be eaten, and is thus to supply the principle of life. They contend one with another as to how this can really be.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 6:52

Verse 52. How can this man give us his flesh to eat?] Our Lord removes this difficulty, and answers the question, in John 6:63.

Cambridge Bible on John 6:52

52. strove among themselves] Their excitement increases; they have got beyond muttering among themselves (John 6:41).give us his flesh to eat] ‘To eat’ is their own addition; they wish to bring out in full the strangeness of His declaration.

Whedon's Commentary on John 6:52

52. Jews… strove among themselves—The contest is expressed in Greek by a word that signifies fought.

Sermons on John 6:52

	Sermon	Description
	Christ in You, the Hope of Glory by Richard E. Bieber	Richard E. Bieber shares a powerful sermon using a story of an army facing challenges and victories to illustrate the importance of understanding the mystery of Christ dwelling wit
	Revivals That Stay by E.M. Bounds	The preacher delves into the meaning of 'machomai,' which signifies intense conflict, whether physical or non-physical, often leading to bitter disputes. This word is used in the B
	An Occasion for God's Glory by Dennis Kinlaw	In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of witnessing extreme poverty in Columbia and feeling compelled to help. He recounts a story of being asked to befriend a
	The Wisdom of the Pharisees by Chip Brogden	Chip Brogden preaches about the danger of religious complacency and the Pharisees' failure to recognize Jesus as the Son of God due to their focus on external rules and customs. He
	Pharisees Judge Godly People for Not Doing Something That They Do by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen addresses the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who judged Jesus for not adhering to their strict Sabbath observance, emphasizing that true godliness should not be measured by
	The Heavenly Calling - Part 11 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God as the good shepherd and his relationship with his people. He references various passages from the Bible, including Psalms
	(John) 10 - the Light Refused by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the content of chapter six of the Bible, focusing on the theme of Christ as the Bread of Life. The sermon covers the feeding of the five thous