Gospel of John
Chapter VI

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

Verse 1 Jesus continues his travels, teaching the love of God! It’s a whole new message of "Love one another!"

2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

Verse 2 Jesus has quite a gathering now, and still He is doing what God asks of Him! Your job is to forgive your "enemies!"

Verse 3 Can you "picture" this scene? Remember that this is all a picture!

4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

Verse 4 Nigh means near. A celebration for the Jewish people is coming up!

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

 

7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Verse 7 Philip tells Jesus that it will take a lot more bread than two hundred pennyworth (meaning as much as can be bought for a penny) to feed the crowd – even if each only takes a little!

9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Verse 10 Let’s see! Five barley loaves, two small fishes, five thousand mouths to feed – you do the math! This will take a miracle!
 

Verse 11 The disciples wait while Jesus blesses the food, and then they give it out! Bless the food and dig in – imagine that! There is still plenty to eat! Nothing like a full belly to make you happy!
 

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Verse 12 Here’s the surprise of all surprises! Gather up the leftovers! And there are leftovers! Jesus is the Man!!
 

Verse 13 In fact, there are twelve baskets of leftovers! How did that happen? Go on – explain that to a nonbeliever – I dare you! Somewhere you just have to BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
 

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Verse 15 The crowd tries to make a king (or idol) out of Jesus! Here’s where Jesus leaves the crowd and takes time to talk to His heavenly Father! Do you take the time? Go on – ask God for help!

16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
 

Verse 16 The story continues! It’s night time and they’re fishing. Jesus’ ministry lasted only 3 years on earth - how amazing!

17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

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

Verse 18 Oops, a storm is brewing! Is there a "storm" brewing in you? Is that why you are reading this?

23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

Verse 23 Howbeit means although. Give thanks for all the miracles that are happening to you! You’re reading this, aren’t you? That is a miracle!
 

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Verse 28 The people ask Jesus, "How do we do God’s works?" Now is the moment for you to ask the very same question of God! "How may I serve You, Father?"

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

Verse 32 "Moses did not give the forefathers bread from heaven – God did!" Clear and simple – God gives the TRUE bread forever – the bread of Life Everlasting!

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Verse 34 Yes! The people finally get what Jesus is trying to tell them! Have you "got" it?

Verse 35 Here’s what Jesus really says:
"I am the bread of life!"
"I am the light of the world!"
"I am the gate for the sheep!"
"I am the good shepherd!"
"I am the One I claim to be!"
"I am the resurrection and the life!"
"Before Abraham was, I am!"

36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
 

Verse 36 This New Testament book of John is for you! Don’t trouble yourself with anyone else’s disbelief! Remember, you are the one!

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Verse 37 In no wise means in no way. Everyone is called to God! No one is rejected! It’s up to you to accept God’s call! Will you?

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Verse 38 Jesus says six times, "I have come down from heaven!" Can you find out where He says it? (Verses 33,38,41,50,51&58)
 

42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Verse 43 Jesus’ answer to the Jews is, "Stop your talking among yourselves – you’re not going anywhere with that!"

Verse 44 God calls you! You only come to Jesus when finally you hear God’s call! God, through Jesus, has chosen you, and, in fact, you had nothing to do with the choosing! God is in charge of your life!

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Verse 48 This is one of Jesus’ "I am" statements! He cannot be kept out of your life! Don’t even try – it’s too late!

Verse 49 Yes, your forefathers received miraculous food in the desert, but where did it get them? They didn’t learn the lesson that God is the source of all good!

Verse 52 The Jews are struggling to understand! Once again they ask each other, "How can Jesus give us his body to eat – that’s crazy!" They have no idea what Jesus is really talking about! Do you?

53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Verse 53 Eat and drink means to take in! He’s only saying that you have to accept Him totally into your life! Let Him live in you!
 

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
 

Verse 54 The "last" day is now! Isn’t the taking of Holy Communion really about remembering Jesus? Not through His death, but through His Life! He’s Alive!! Let Him live in you, and fill you up with His Love!

55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

Verse 55 Meat means solid food. Drink quenches your thirst. Jesus is the only true nourishment – your only hope! Food for the soul is not chicken soup!

58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

 

Verse 59 Synagogue means a meeting place for Jewish worship and religious instruction! The Message is right out in the open now! "Follow Me! Love one another as I have loved you!"

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

Verse 64 You are totally responsible (answerable) for your actions – it’s up to you! Jesus knows you already as His brother! Do you trust yourself to Him?

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

Verse 65 "That’s why I told you that until you hear the Call, you will not follow me!"

 

Verse 66 Have you ever heard of "tough love?" Don’t drop out now – it’s only as tough as you make it!

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
 

Verse 67 Now Jesus is asking his chosen twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" Jesus always "lays it on the line!" How will it be for you?

Verse 68 There really is nowhere for you to "go!" It’s the only answer you can have in Truth! It’s still up to you!

Verse 69 Yes, the disciples know Who Jesus is – the Son of the living God! God has one Son – and that includes you!

70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

 

Verse 70 Whether you like it or not, you too, have been chosen to witness to the Truth! Are you going to accept – or turn back to your old ways? The idea of devil (or Satan) in Jesus’ language, Aramaic, means seeing wrongly and acting from that error; – to slide, to slip, or miss the mark!

Do you want to learn it is impossible to suffer? Who’s the Judas in your "story?" There might be a few of them! It’s all part of the plan! Just don’t judge!