John chapter 6 begins with the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Jesus and his disciples have crossed to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, where a large crowd follows them. This crowd is drawn by Jesus' healing miracles and the excitement surrounding his ministry. As Jesus observes the crowd, he asks Philip where they can buy bread to feed the people. Philip responds that even if they had 200 denarii (a substantial amount of money), it would not be enough to feed such a large crowd. Andrew, another disciple, points out a boy who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but he too expresses doubt that this small amount can feed so many.
Jesus, however, takes the loaves, gives thanks, and distributes them to the people. Miraculously, everyone is fed, and there are twelve baskets of leftovers. The crowd is amazed at the miracle, and they begin to see Jesus as the Prophet who is to come into the world. However, Jesus perceives that they want to make him king by force, so he withdraws to a mountain by himself.
Later that night, Jesus’ disciples get into a boat and head across the lake to Capernaum. In the midst of their journey, a strong wind begins to blow, and they are struggling against the waves. Suddenly, they see Jesus walking on the water toward them. They are terrified, but Jesus reassures them, saying, “It is I; do not be afraid.” When Jesus gets into the boat, the wind ceases, and they are immediately at their destination. The crowd on the other side of the lake, realizing that Jesus and his disciples are no longer there, sets out to find him.
The crowd eventually finds Jesus in Capernaum, and they ask him when he came there. Jesus, knowing their motives, responds by telling them that they are not seeking him because of the miraculous signs but because they were fed the loaves and were satisfied. He urges them not to work for food that spoils but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give them. The people ask what they must do to perform the works of God, and Jesus answers, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
The crowd then asks Jesus for a sign so that they may believe in him, pointing to the manna their ancestors ate in the wilderness during the time of Moses. Jesus responds by telling them that it was not Moses who gave them the bread from heaven, but it is his Father who gives the true bread from heaven. He declares that the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. The people, still not understanding, ask him to give them this bread always.
Jesus replies, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” He goes on to explain that although the people have seen him, they do not believe in him. He emphasizes that all who the Father gives to him will come to him, and that Jesus will not cast anyone out. He came down from heaven not to do his own will but the will of the Father who sent him. His will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and Jesus promises to raise them up at the last day.
The Jewish people begin to murmur at Jesus’ words, questioning how he can claim to be the bread that came down from heaven, knowing that he is the son of Joseph and Mary. Jesus responds by telling them that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them, and that everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him will come to Jesus. He then repeats his promise of eternal life, saying that whoever eats of this bread will live forever. He also tells them that the bread he gives is his flesh, which he will give for the life of the world.
This statement causes the crowd to argue among themselves, asking how Jesus can give them his flesh to eat. Jesus continues to teach them, saying that unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they will have no life in them. Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life, and he will raise them up at the last day. He explains that his flesh is true food, and his blood is true drink, and that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood abide in him, and he in them. This teaching is hard for many to accept, and many of his disciples are offended by his words.
As a result, many of Jesus’ followers turn away and no longer follow him. Jesus turns to the twelve apostles and asks if they also want to leave. Peter responds on behalf of the group, saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus then acknowledges that one of the twelve will betray him. He knows that Judas Iscariot, despite being one of his chosen disciples, will betray him. This chapter concludes with Jesus explaining that no one can come to him unless it has been granted by the Father, and he emphasizes that those who believe in him will have eternal life.
The chapter highlights several themes, including the miraculous power of Jesus, the relationship between Jesus and the Father, the importance of faith in Jesus for eternal life, and the challenge of accepting his radical teachings. It contrasts physical needs, such as hunger, with spiritual needs, showing that Jesus offers the true nourishment for the soul. The chapter also introduces the idea of the Eucharist, or communion, where the bread and the wine symbolize Jesus’ body and blood, and the necessity of partaking in these elements to have eternal life. Ultimately, John chapter 6 deepens our understanding of Jesus’ identity as the bread of life, and it challenges us to reflect on the nature of faith, salvation, and the willingness to accept difficult truths.