John 6

1 Christ feedeth five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. 14 who would therefore make him a King but he avoideth them, 16 walketh in the night on the Sea and cometh to his Dusciples in the ship, 22 Is sought by the multitude and found at Capernaum, 26 whom he admonisheth to seek the incorruptible food, which is to be found by faith; 41 whereat the Jews murmure, 43 whom Christ answers that faith in him cometh from the father, and teacheth that his flesh is the true meat; and his blood the true drink, which must be eaten and drunk to obtain eternal life, 59 at which doctrine many of his Disciples at Capernaum stumble, 61 wherefore Christ instructs them of the right sence of his words. 66 Many of his Disciples forsake him. 67 Peter and the other Apostles confess the hath the words of eternal life, and abide with him, 70 but Christ declareth that one of them was a Devil.

1. After this Jesus departed over the Sea of Galilee, [That is, over a bay or creck of the Sea, for Bethesda lay on the same side of sea, on which Tiberian lay. see Mat 14.v.13 Luke 9:10.] which is (the Sea) of Tiberias: [of this sea see more at large, Matthew 4:18. Luke 5:1.]

2. And great multitude followed him, [Namely, by land, see Mat.14. v. 12.] because they saw the signs which he did on the sick.

3. And Jesus went up the mountain, [Namely, which lay by Bethesda] and sate down there with hi Disciples;

4. And the Passover [This was third passover after Christs baptism. Of the first see John 2:13. and of the second John 5:1.] the feast of the Jews was nigh

5. Then Jesus lifting up the eyes, and seeing that a great multitude came unto him, said unto Philip, whence [Or whereof, i.e. wherewith] shall we buy bread that these may eat ?

6. (But this he said proving him, for himself knew [that is, had now already determined with himself what he would do)

7. Philip answered him, bread for two hundred pence [Gr. Denary, i.e. dutch shillings, or royals, see Mat.18.28.] is not enough for these, that every one of them may take a little:

8. One of his Disciples (namely) Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter said unto him;

9. Here is a youth that hath five – loaves, and two small fishes, [Gr. properly broiled – fishes] but what are these among so many?

10. And Jesus said, make the men sit down: [Gr. fall down according to the custome of the Ancients, which did eat lying on their elbows] and there was much grass [namely green, Mark 6:39.] in that place. Therefore the men sate down, about five thousand in number [name;y besides women and children, Mat.14.21.]

11. And Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, [That is, having blessed them with thanksgiving, see Luke 9:16.] he distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those that were sate down: in like manner also of the fishes as much as they would. [namely, the multitudes, as appears from that which follows]

12. And when they were satisfied, [Gr. filled] he said unto his disciples, gather together the remaining fragments, that nothing be lost.

13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with fragments of five barly – loaves, which remained over unto them that hand eaten.

14. Then man therefore having seen the sign that Jesus had done , said, this verily the [Prophet [Namely of whom Moses prophesied, Det 18.25,18.] which should come [Gr. cometh] into the world.

15. Jesus therefore knowing that they would come, and take him by force, that they might make him King [Namely worldly King, such as they perversely thought that the Messiah must be] withdraw again up into the mountain he himself alone. [namely to shew that his kingdom was not of this world, John 18. v. 36]

16. And when it was become Evening, his disciples went down unto the Sea.

17. And being gone into the ship, they come over the Sea [Namely, along by Bethesda as Christ had commanded them, Mark 6:45.] towards Capernaum. And it was already become dark , [Gr. darkness] and Jesus was not come to them.

18. And the sea arose by reason that there was blew a great wind.

19. And when they had passed [Or rewed] about five and twenty or thirty furlongs. [A furlong is the length of an hundred five and twenty paces. see Luke 24:13.] they say Jesus walking on the Sea, [Namely, supporting his body by his divine power] and coming nigh the ship, and they were afraid.

20. But he said unto them,it is i, be not afraid.

21. Then they willingly took him into the ship [Gr. then they were willing to take him into the ship, namely after that they knew him. See Mat.14.32. Mark 6:51. and immediately the ship come to the Land, whither they were going.

22. The next day the multitude which stood on the other side of the Sea [That is on the of that bay of the meer, between Bethsaida and Caparnaum, see v.24.] seeing that there was no other boat there, but that one into which his disciples were gone, and that Jesus was not gone that boat with his Disciples, but (that) his Disciples were gone away alone.

23. (Yet there came other boast from Tiberias, nigh to the place where they had eaten the bread, nigh to the place where they had eaten the bread, when the Lord had given thanks.) [That is, had blessed. see ver.11.]

24. When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was, not there, neither his Disciples, they went also into the ships and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.

25. And they had found him beyond the Sea, [See ver 22.59] they said unto him, Rabbi, when cometh thou hither?

26. Jesus answered them and said, verily, verily, i say unto you, yee seek me; not because ye have seen signs: [That is, not because ye believe in me by the signs which ye have seen from me] but because ye have eaten the loaves and are filled. [that is, because ye hope that i will yet again satisfy you in such manner.]

27. Work not (for) [That is, give not diligence to get, Philippians 2:12.] the meat which perisheth, but (for) the meat that abideth unto eternal life, [what this food is, is declared ver.51.55.] which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed. [that is, ordained and many ways revealed and confirmed to be the true Messiah, and that he was sent by him, like as Princes sealed credentials confirm the authority of those that are sent by them, Ephes 4.30.]

28. They said therefore unto him what shall we do, that we may work the works of God? [That is, which God requireth of us that we may be saved: so also in the following verse, see the phrase Psalms 51:19]

29. Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God that yee believe on him, whim he hath sent?

30. Then they said unto him, what sign dost thou then [Namely which is some singular or great thing, whereby we may certainly understand that thou art the Messiah] that we may see it and believe thee? what workest thou?

31. Our father did eat Manna in the wilderness [Of this Mann, see Exod. 16.v.15,32. and Numbers 11:7, 8.] as it is written, he gave them bread from heaven to eat [that is, which fell down out of air.]

32. Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, i say unto you, Moses gave you not the bread from heaven: but my father giveth you the true bread from heaven, [that is, the true spiritual and heavenly bread, whereof the Manna was but a figure or shadow: as truth is often opposed to figure, John 1:17. Heb.8.2.]

33. For the bread of God [That is, which God gives unto men that they may live forever.] is he [namely the son of God] which cometh down from heaven; [that is, is come down, i.e. which is by the Father sent into the world to be a Mediator, and for this end hath assumed the humane nature upon Earth, Phil.2.v.6.7. 1 Tim 3.16.] and he that giveth life to the world [this is, to the elect and faithful throughout the whole world, as well Gentiles and Jews, John 11:52.]

34. Then they said unto him, Lord, give us always [That is, every day, as Moses heretofore gave the Manna, understanding this of temporal bread] this bread.

35. And Jesus said unto them, i am the bread of life , [That is, that give the spiritual and eternal life] he that cometh unto me, [that is, he that believeth in me, as Christ himself expounded in the latter member of this verse.] shall in no wise hunger: [that is, shall be setisfied with all spiritual good; here with firm consolation, and hereafter with everlasting joy] and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.

36. But i say unto you that ye also have seen me, and ye believe not.

37. All that the Father giveth me [That is, all those which the father elected from eternity, and gave to me as Mediator to save them, John 10:28. & 17.6.] shall come to me; and he that cometh unto me, i will in no wise cast out. [Gr. cast out without, that is, not reject but save eternally , John 17:12.]

38. For i am descended from heaven , [see the exposition hereof v.33.] not that i should do mine (own) will, [that is, that which should please me alone and not the Father] but the will of him that sent me.

39. And this is the will of the Father who hath sent me, that all that he had given me, I should not lose thereof, [That is, should not suffer to perish] but should raise up the same at the last day. [namely, unto everlasting salvation. For the rest shall also raised up, but unto condemnation, John 5:29. 2 Cor.5.10.]

40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one that beholdeth the Son and beleiveth in him, should have eternal life: and i will raise him up at the last day.

41. Therefore the Jews murmured concerning him: [Or concerning that] because he had said i am the bread that came down from heaven.

42. And they said, is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how saith he then? [that is, how can it be true that he saith] i came down from heaven:

43. Therefore answered and said unto them, murmure not amongst another.

44. No man can came to me, except the father that sent me draw him; [That is, except he make him fit and willing thereunto, by the powerful working of his holy spirit, who is by nature unfit and unwilling, Acts 16:14. & Phil.2.13.] and i will raise him up at the last day.

45. It is written in the Prophet [That is, in that part of the scripture which contains the book of the Prophet] etc they shall all be taught of God [Gr. the taught – (ones) of God, God taught, as 1 Thes.4.9. i.e. all that come unto me, v.44. or as Esaias speaketh, Esa.54.13. all the children of the spiritual Jerusalem, shall be taught of God, who by his holy spirit maketh the preaching of Gods word powerful in them] every one therefore who hath heard, that this heart is also enlightened and opened by the Father, well to understand and embrace the same Acts 16:14.] he cometh unto me.

46. No that any man hath seen the Father, save he [Gr. except] which is from God, [namely, that father] he [namely, the son which is in the bosome of the father, John 1:18.] hath seen the Father.

47. Verily, verily, i say unto you, he that beleiveth in me hath everlasting life.

48. I am the bread of life.

49. Your fathers did eat the Manna in the wilderness and they are dead. [That is, although they did eat the manna, yet notwithstanding they died; not only the temporal death; but some also, because of their unbelief eternal death, see 1 Cor.10. 5. Hebrews 3:16, 19.]

50. This is the bread that cometh down from heaven, that a man [Gr. any one] may eat thereof and not die.

51. I am that living – bread [That is, quickening, see ver.35.] that came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever. And the bread that i will give in my flesh, [That is, my humane nature, which i will give up on the cross fro a sacrifice of reconciliation, for the sins of the elect throughout the whole world, that they may thereby obtain remission of sins and everlasting life] which i will give the life of the world.

52. The Jews therefore strove [Namely, with words, i.e. contended] one amongst another saying, how can this (man) give us (his) flesh to eat.

53. Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, i say unto you, except yee the flesh of the son of man,, and drink his blood, ye have in your life in your selves. [that is, except ye believe in me, who am to give up my body to death on the cross, and shed blood for the forgiveness of sins; see v.35. For Christ speaketh not here of the outward eating, which is done in the Lords supper, seeing that was not yet instituted at that time but of the spiritual eating. i.e receiving of Christ by true faith, and by thereby being united unto him, which is signified and sealed by the outward eating in the Lords Super:]

54. He that eaten my flesh [That is he that believeth in me, as is expounded above v. 47] and drinketh my blood, he hath eternal life; [see John 5:24.] and i will raise hi up at the last day.

55. For my flesh is truly meat, [see v.32.] and my blood is truly drink.

56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, he abideth in me and i in him. [that is, is and abideth spiritually united unto me, and i unto him, Ephes 3.17.]

57. In like manner as living – father hath sent me, and live by the father, [see John 5:26.] (so) he that eaten me [that is, believeth in me. v.35] the same shall live by me.

58. This is the bread which come down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat the Manna, and are dead: [see v. 49.] he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.

59. These things he said in the Synagogue, teaching at Capernaum.

60. Therefore many of his Disciples hearing (this) said, this speech is hard: [This they say, because they understood, it would indeed be an hard speech; like as Nicodemus also understood Christs words concerning regeneration, John 3:4.] who can hear the same?

61. Now Jesus knowing with himself [Gr. in himself, namely as a knower of the hearts and thoughts] that his disciples murmured about it, he said unto them, doth this offend you?

62. (What a thing it would be) then, [That is, how then would ye understand and believe my words] if ye should see the son of man descend up [namely, as came to pass afterwards] where he was before? [namely, into heaven, according to his divine nature before he become man]

63. It is the spirit that quickeneth, [that is that which i would give to understand by the following words must be understood spiritually of a spiritual eating, which is accomplished by the power of my spirit, and that produceth life] the flesh is not profitable; [namely, being eaten carnally] the words which i speak unto you are spirit, and are life. [that is, must be understood spiritually, and so they are words of life.]

64. But there are some of you which believe not; [And therefore you take offence at my words] for Jesus knew from the beginning , [that is, since he began to preach to them] who they were that believed not, and who he was that should betray him.

65. And he said, therefore said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given him of my Father. [Gr. out of, .i.e. by or from]

66. From thence forth many of his Disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67. Then Jesus said to the twelve, will ye not also go away? [This he saketh, not that he was ignorant thereof, but he would draw from them a sincere confession thereof.]

68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? [Namely, otherwise then to thee] thou hast the words of eternal life. [that is, which shew us the right way to eternal life]

69. And we have believed and known, that thou art the Christ the son of the living God. [Of this confession see Matthew 16:16.]

70. Jesus answered them, have i not chosen you twelve [Namely, to the Apostle – ship] and one of you is a devil? [that is, a child of the devil unto him, John 8:44.]

71. And he said (this of) Judas Iscarioth (the son) of Simon, for he should betray him being one of [Gr. out of] the twelve.