耶穌使五千人吃飽

事後,耶穌渡過加利利湖,就是提比哩亞海。 許多人因為見過耶穌治病的神蹟,就跟隨了祂。 耶穌到了山上,與門徒一起坐下來。 那時,猶太人的逾越節快到了。 耶穌舉目看見一大群人向祂走來,就對腓力說:「我們到哪裡去買餅給他們吃呢?」 祂這樣說是想試試腓力,其實祂知道應該怎麼做。

腓力回答說:「就算買二百個銀幣[a]的餅,也不夠他們每人一口啊!」

另外一個門徒——西門·彼得的弟弟安得烈對耶穌說: 「這裡有個小孩子帶了五個大麥餅和兩條魚。不過,這麼多人,這一點東西實在無濟於事。」

10 耶穌說:「你們叫大家坐下。」那地方草很多,眾人便坐下來,當時在場的男人大約有五千。 11 耶穌拿起餅來祝謝後,分給坐著的眾人,然後又照樣分魚,眾人可以隨意吃。 12 他們吃飽後,耶穌對門徒說:「把剩下的零碎收拾起來,免得浪費。」

13 他們便把大家吃剩的那五個大麥餅的零碎收拾起來,裝滿了十二個籃子。 14 大家看見耶穌行的這個神蹟,都說:「這人真是那位要來到世上的先知!」 15 耶穌知道他們想強行立祂作王,便獨自退到山上。

耶穌在湖面上行走

16 傍晚的時候,門徒來到湖邊, 17 上了船,去湖對岸的迦百農。天色已暗,耶穌還沒到他們那裡。 18 忽然,湖面上狂風大作,波濤洶湧。 19 門徒搖櫓,大約行了五六公里,突然看見耶穌在水面上朝他們的船走來,他們很害怕。 20 耶穌對他們說:「是我,不要怕。」 21 於是門徒欣然接祂上船,船立刻到了目的地。

生命之糧

22 第二天,留在對岸的眾人看見那裡只有一條船,耶穌沒有和門徒一起坐船離開。 23 後來有幾條從提比哩亞來的小船停泊在岸邊,靠近主祝謝後讓眾人吃餅的地方。 24 他們發現耶穌和門徒都不在那裡,就乘船到迦百農去找祂。

25 他們在湖對岸找到了耶穌,對祂說:「老師,你什麼時候到這裡來的?」

26 耶穌回答說:「我實實在在地告訴你們,你們找我,並不是因為看見了神蹟,而是因為你們有餅吃,並且吃飽了。 27 不要為那必壞的食物勞苦,要為那存到永生的食物,就是人子要賜給你們的食物勞苦,因為父上帝把這權柄交給了人子。」

28 眾人問祂:「我們要怎樣做,才算是做上帝的工作呢?」

29 耶穌說:「信上帝所差來的那位,就是做上帝的工作。」

30 他們又問:「那麼,你行什麼神蹟讓我們看了可以信你呢?你要做什麼呢? 31 我們的祖先在曠野有嗎哪吃,正如聖經上說,『祂賜下天糧給他們吃。』」

32 耶穌卻說:「我實實在在地告訴你們,不是摩西從天上賜給了你們糧食,而是我父將天上的真糧食賜給你們。 33 因為上帝賜的糧就是從天降下、賜生命給世人的那位。」

34 他們說:「先生,求你把這種糧食天天賜給我們吧。」

35 耶穌說:「我就是生命的糧,到我這裡來的人必定不餓,信我的人必永遠不渴。 36 但我對你們說過,你們雖然親眼看見我,仍然不信。 37 凡父賜給我的人,必到我這裡來。到我這裡來的,我總不丟棄他。 38 因為我從天上下來,不是要成就自己的旨意,而是要成就差我來者的旨意。 39 差我來者的旨意是,祂所賜給我的,我一個也不失掉,在末日我要叫他們復活。 40 因為我父的旨意是要叫一切看見兒子並相信的人得到永生,在末日,我要叫他們復活。」

41 猶太人聽見耶穌說自己是從天上降下來的糧,就小聲議論, 42 說:「這不是約瑟的兒子耶穌嗎?祂的父母,我們都認識,祂現在怎麼能說自己是從天上降下來的呢?」

43 耶穌回答他們說:「你們不用議論紛紛。 44 如果不是差我來的父吸引人到我這裡來,沒有人能來。到我這裡來的,在末日,我要叫他復活。 45 先知書上這樣說,『他們都要受上帝的訓誨』,這裡是指凡聽從父的教導又去效法的人,都會到我這裡來。 46 這並不是說有人見過父,唯獨從上帝而來的那位見過父。 47 我實實在在地告訴你們,信我的人有永生, 48 因為我是生命的糧。 49 你們的祖先在曠野吃過嗎哪,還是死了。 50 但這是從天上降下來的糧,人吃了就不死。 51 我就是天上降下來的生命之糧,人吃了這糧,必永遠活著。我將要賜下的糧就是我的肉,是為了讓世人得到生命。」

52 猶太人開始彼此爭論,說:「這個人怎麼能把自己的肉給我們吃呢?」

53 耶穌說:「我實實在在地告訴你們,如果你們不吃人子的肉,不喝人子的血,就沒有生命。 54 吃我肉、喝我血的人有永生,在末日,我要叫他復活。 55 因為我的肉是真糧食,我的血是真飲品, 56 吃我肉、喝我血的人常在我裡面,我也常在他裡面。 57 永活的父差我來,我是靠祂而活。同樣,吃我肉的人也靠我而活。 58 我是從天上降下來的真糧,吃這糧的人必永遠活著,不像你們的祖先,雖然吃過嗎哪,最後還是死了。」

59 這番話是耶穌在迦百農會堂裡教導人的時候講的。

永生之道

60 祂的許多門徒聽了,就議論說:「這話實在難懂,誰能接受呢?」

61 耶穌知道門徒在議論,就說:「這話叫你們失去信心嗎? 62 如果你們看見人子升到祂原來所在的地方,會怎麼樣呢? 63 叫人活著的是靈,肉體毫無作用。我對你們說的話就是靈,就是生命。 64 然而,你們中間有些人不信。」因為耶穌一開始就知道誰不信祂、誰會出賣祂。

65 祂繼續說:「所以我曾對你們說,如果不是我父賜恩,沒有人能到我這裡來。」

66 從此,很多門徒離開了,不再跟從耶穌。

67 於是耶穌問那十二個門徒:「你們也要離開我嗎?」

68 西門·彼得答道:「主啊!你有永生之道,我們還跟從誰呢? 69 我們已經相信並且知道你是上帝的聖者。」

70 耶穌說:「我不是揀選了你們十二個人嗎?但其中有一個是魔鬼。」 71 耶穌這話是指著加略人西門的兒子猶大說的,因為他是十二個門徒之一,後來出賣了耶穌。

Footnotes

  1. 6·7 一個銀幣相當於當時一天的工錢。

Chúa Hóa Bánh Cho Năm Ngàn Người Ăn

Sau những việc này, Đức Giê-su qua bên kia biển hồ Ga-li-lê, cũng gọi là Ti-bê-ri-át. Một đoàn người đông đảo đi theo Ngài vì đã chứng kiến những dấu lạ Ngài làm cho những người bệnh. Đức Giê-su lên núi cùng ngồi với các môn đệ. Hôm ấy gần đến lễ Vượt Qua, kỳ lễ hội lớn của người Do Thái.

Vậy, Đức Giê-su ngước mắt lên, nhìn đoàn người đông đảo đến với Ngài rồi hỏi Phi-líp: “Ta tìm đâu ra bánh để mua cho họ ăn đây?” Ngài hỏi vậy để thử Phi-líp chứ Ngài đã biết mình sắp làm gì rồi.

Phi-líp thưa: “Lấy hai trăm đồng đê-na-ri[a] mua bánh cũng không đủ cho mỗi người một miếng nhỏ.”

Một môn đệ khác của Ngài là An-rê, em Si-môn Phê-rơ, thưa với Ngài: “Đây có một cậu bé mang theo năm cái bánh lúa mạch và hai con cá, nhưng đông thế này thì thấm vào đâu!”

10 Đức Giê-su nói: “Hãy bảo người ta ngồi xuống!” Chỗ ấy có nhiều cỏ, nên họ ngồi lại, kể riêng đàn ông có đến năm ngàn. 11 Vậy, Đức Giê-su cầm bánh, cảm tạ Đức Chúa Trời rồi phân phát cho những người ngồi đó, xong bánh lại đến cá, ai muốn bao nhiêu tùy ý.

12 Khi họ đã ăn no, Ngài bảo các môn đệ: “Hãy thu lượm bánh thừa để khỏi phí phạm.” 13 Vậy họ thu lượm những mảnh vụn của năm chiếc bánh lúa mạch mà người ta đã ăn, được mười hai giỏ đầy.

14 Khi đã thấy phép lạ Ngài làm, người ta bảo nhau: “Người này chính là vị tiên tri, Đấng phải đến thế gian.” 15 Rồi vì biết rằng họ sắp đến ép Ngài lên làm vua, Đức Giê-su lại lánh lên núi một mình.

16 Đến chiều, các môn đệ của Ngài trở xuống biển, 17 lên thuyền sang bờ bên kia về hướng Ca-pha-na-um. Trời đã tối mà Đức Giê-su vẫn chưa đến với họ. 18 Gió chợt thổi mạnh và biển nổi sóng lớn. 19 Họ chèo chống được khoảng năm hay sáu cây số,[b] thì thấy Đức Giê-su đi trên mặt biển đến gần thuyền. Họ kinh hoàng, 20 nhưng Ngài bảo họ: “Chính Ta đây, đừng sợ nữa!” 21 Họ muốn rước Ngài vào thuyền, thì lập tức thuyền đã cập vào bến mà họ định đi đến.

22 Ngày hôm sau, đoàn dân còn ở lại bên kia biển hồ thấy ở đó chỉ có một chiếc thuyền mà Đức Giê-su thì không xuống thuyền với các môn đệ, chỉ có các môn đệ của Ngài chèo đi thôi. 23 Những thuyền khác từ Ti-bê-ri-át cập bến gần chỗ đoàn dân đã ăn bánh sau khi Chúa tạ ơn. 24 Vì vậy, khi đoàn dân không thấy Đức Giê-su và các môn đệ Ngài ở đó thì lên thuyền đến Ca-pha-na-um tìm Đức Giê-su.

25 Khi gặp được Ngài bên kia bờ biển, họ hỏi Ngài: “Thưa Thầy, Thầy đến đây lúc nào vậy?”

26 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Thật vậy, Ta bảo các ngươi: Các ngươi tìm Ta chẳng phải vì đã chứng kiến các dấu lạ nhưng chỉ vì được bánh ăn no nê! 27 Đừng làm việc vì miếng ăn hay hư nát nhưng vì thức ăn còn đến sự sống vĩnh phúc mà Con Người sẽ ban cho các ngươi. Đức Chúa Trời là Cha đã ấn chứng cho Người!”

28 Họ thưa: “Chúng tôi phải làm gì để được làm việc của Đức Chúa Trời?”

29 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Làm việc của Đức Chúa Trời là tin Đấng mà Ngài đã sai đến.”

30 Họ nói với Ngài: “Vậy Thầy tự làm dấu lạ gì cho chúng tôi thấy để tin Thầy? Thầy sắp thi thố việc gì đây? 31 Tổ phụ chúng ta ăn bánh ma-na trong đồng hoang, đúng như Kinh Thánh chép: ‘Họ ăn bánh từ trời ban xuống.’ ”

32 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Thật vậy, Ta bảo các ngươi: Không phải Môi-se cho các ngươi bánh từ trời đâu, nhưng thật chính Cha Ta mới là Đấng ban cho các ngươi bánh từ trời! 33 Vì bánh của Đức Chúa Trời là bánh từ trời xuống, cung ứng sự sống cho loài người.”

34 Họ nói: “Thưa Thầy, xin cứ luôn luôn ban cho chúng tôi thứ bánh ấy!”

35 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Chính Ta là bánh hằng sống, ai đến với Ta sẽ không bao giờ đói, còn ai tin Ta sẽ chẳng bao giờ khát! 36 Nhưng Ta đã nói với các ngươi, dù thấy Ta nhưng các ngươi vẫn không chịu tin. 37 Tất cả những gì Cha cho Ta sẽ đến với Ta, ai đến với Ta, Ta sẽ không bao giờ xua đuổi! 38 Vì Ta từ trời xuống không phải để làm theo ý riêng Ta, nhưng theo ý Đấng đã sai Ta. 39 Và đây là ý Đấng đã sai Ta, ấy là tất cả những người Cha đã cho Ta, Ta sẽ không để cho hư mất, nhưng Ta sẽ làm cho sống lại trong ngày cuối cùng. 40 Vì đây là ý Cha Ta, ấy là người nào nhận ra Con và tin theo Ngài thì sẽ được sự sống vĩnh phúc, và chính Ta sẽ khiến người ấy sống lại trong ngày cuối cùng!”

41 Thế là người Do Thái bắt đầu thì thầm bàn tán với nhau vì câu Ngài nói: Ta là bánh từ trời xuống. 42 Họ bảo: “Người này không phải là Giê-su con Giô-sép sao? Cha mẹ anh ấy chúng ta đều biết cả, sao bây giờ lại dám nói: Ta từ trời xuống?”

43 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Đừng xầm xì với nhau nữa! 44 Không một ai có thể đến với Ta nếu không được Cha là Đấng đã sai Ta đem đến và Ta sẽ khiến người ấy sống lại trong ngày cuối cùng! 45 Kinh Tiên Tri chép: ‘Mọi người sẽ được Đức Chúa Trời chỉ dạy.’ Người nào lắng nghe Cha và học theo thì đến với Ta. 46 Không ai thấy được Cha, ngoài Đấng ở cùng Đức Chúa Trời, chính Đấng ấy đã thấy Cha. 47 Thật vậy, Ta bảo các ngươi: Người nào tin thì được sự sống vĩnh phúc. 48 Chính Ta là bánh hằng sống. 49 Tổ phụ các ngươi đã ăn bánh ma-na trong đồng hoang rồi cũng chết. 50 Còn đây là bánh từ trời xuống để người nào ăn khỏi phải chết. 51 Chính Ta là bánh hằng sống từ trời xuống, người nào ăn bánh này sẽ sống đời đời. Và bánh mà Ta sẽ ban để loài người được sống chính là thân xác Ta.”

52 Người Do Thái liền cãi vã với nhau rằng: “Làm sao người này có thể lấy thân xác mình cho chúng ta ăn được?”

53 Đức Giê-su nói: “Thật vậy, Ta bảo các ngươi: Các ngươi sẽ không có được sự sống trong mình cho đến chừng các ngươi ăn thịt của Con Người và uống huyết của Người. 54 Người nào ăn thịt Ta và uống huyết Ta thì được sự sống vĩnh phúc, còn chính Ta sẽ khiến người ấy sống lại trong ngày cuối cùng. 55 Vì thân xác Ta thật là thức ăn và huyết Ta thật là thức uống. 56 Người nào ăn thịt Ta và uống huyết Ta thì ở trong Ta và chính Ta ở trong người ấy. 57 Vì như Cha hằng sống đã sai Ta và Ta nhờ Cha mà sống, thì người nào ăn lấy Ta cũng sẽ nhờ Ta mà sống như vậy. 58 Đây là bánh từ trời xuống, nào phải như thứ bánh tổ phụ đã ăn rồi cũng chết. Người nào ăn bánh này sẽ sống đời đời.”

59 Đức Giê-su dạy những điều này tại hội đường ở Ca-pha-na-um.

60 Nhiều môn đệ của Ngài nghe vậy thì nói: “Lời này sao khó nghe quá, ai chấp nhận nổi?”

61 Nhưng Đức Giê-su tự biết các môn đệ đang càu nhàu về việc đó, liền bảo họ: “Điều này làm các con bất mãn sao? 62 Nếu các con được thấy Con Người thăng thiên về nơi Ngài ở trước kia thì sao? 63 Thần linh mới tạo nên sự sống, còn thể xác chẳng ích gì cả! Những lời Ta truyền cho các con là thần linh và sự sống. 64 Dầu vậy giữa vòng các con vẫn có người không tin.” Vì ngay từ đầu, Đức Giê-su đã biết những ai không tin và người nào sẽ phản bội Ngài, 65 Ngài lại phán: “Vì vậy Ta đã bảo các con rằng nếu Cha không cho thì không một ai có thể đến với Ta được!”

66 Từ đó, nhiều môn đệ của Ngài rút lui, không theo Ngài nữa.

67 Đức Giê-su mới hỏi mười hai sứ đồ: “Các con cũng muốn bỏ đi chứ?”

68 Si-môn Phê-rơ đáp: “Thưa Chúa, chúng con còn theo ai nữa? Chúa có lời sự sống vĩnh phúc! 69 Chúng con đã tin và biết chắc chính Chúa là Đấng Thánh của Đức Chúa Trời.”

70 Đức Giê-su đáp: “Chính Ta đã chẳng chọn các con là mười hai người sao? Thế mà một người trong các con lại là quỷ!” 71 Đây Ngài nói về Giu-đa, con của Si-môn Ích-ca-ri-ốt, vì hắn ta sắp phản bội Ngài (dù là một người trong mười hai sứ đồ).

Footnotes

  1. 6:7 Đê-na-ri: một đơn vị tiền tệ La-mã trị giá một ngày công
  2. 6:19 Nt: khoảng 25-30 ết-ta-đơ

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

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

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

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

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?

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

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

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

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

10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

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

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

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.

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

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.

19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

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

24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

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

26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

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

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?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

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.

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

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

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

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

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

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

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

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?

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

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.

48 I am that bread of life.

49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

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

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.

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

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

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

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.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend 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.

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.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

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

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

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

71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii[a] worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.”

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down, likewise also of the fish as much as they desired. 12 When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” 15 Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea. 17 They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18 The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing. 19 When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia,[b] they saw Jesus walking on the sea(A) and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid. 20 But he said to them, “It is I.[c] Don’t be afraid.” 21 They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

22 On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one in which his disciples had embarked, and that Jesus hadn’t entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn’t there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

26 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.”

28 They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

30 They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see and believe you? What work do you do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven[d] to eat.’”(B)

32 Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe. 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40 This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”

43 Therefore Jesus answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ (C) Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father. 47 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

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

53 Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. 54 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will also live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?”

61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62 Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. 64 But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him. 65 He said, “For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.”

66 At this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?”

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

70 Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.

Footnotes

  1. 6:7 A denarius was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages for an agricultural laborer, so 200 denarii would be between 6 and 7 month’s pay.
  2. 6:19 25 to 30 stadia is about 5 to 6 kilometers or about 3 to 4 miles
  3. 6:20 or, I AM
  4. 6:31 Greek and Hebrew use the same word for “heaven”, “the heavens”, “the sky”, and “the air”.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(A)

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs(B) he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside(C) and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival(D) was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip,(E) “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother,(F) spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”(G)

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks,(H) and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14 After the people saw the sign(I) Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”(J) 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king(K) by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.(L)

Jesus Walks on the Water(M)

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water;(N) and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”(O) 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake(P) realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.(Q) 23 Then some boats from Tiberias(R) landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.(S) 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi,(T) when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,(U) not because you saw the signs(V) I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures(W) to eternal life,(X) which the Son of Man(Y) will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal(Z) of approval.”

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe(AA) in the one he has sent.”(AB)

30 So they asked him, “What sign(AC) then will you give that we may see it and believe you?(AD) What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna(AE) in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c](AF)

32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven(AG) and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”(AH)

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am(AI) the bread of life.(AJ) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes(AK) in me will never be thirsty.(AL) 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me(AM) will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven(AN) not to do my will but to do the will(AO) of him who sent me.(AP) 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,(AQ) but raise them up at the last day.(AR) 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son(AS) and believes in him shall have eternal life,(AT) and I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph,(AU) whose father and mother we know?(AV) How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”(AW)

43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,(AX) and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’[d](AY) Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God;(AZ) only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.(BA) 48 I am the bread of life.(BB) 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.(BC) 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven,(BD) which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread(BE) that came down from heaven.(BF) Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”(BG)

52 Then the Jews(BH) began to argue sharply among themselves,(BI) “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh(BJ) of the Son of Man(BK) and drink his blood,(BL) you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.(BM) 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.(BN) 57 Just as the living Father sent me(BO) and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”(BP) 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples(BQ) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”(BR)

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?(BS) 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man(BT) ascend to where he was before!(BU) 63 The Spirit gives life;(BV) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[e] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known(BW) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.(BX) 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”(BY)

66 From this time many of his disciples(BZ) turned back and no longer followed him.

67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.(CA)

68 Simon Peter answered him,(CB) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.(CC) 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”(CD)

70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you,(CE) the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”(CF) 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot,(CG) who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)(CH)

Footnotes

  1. John 6:7 Greek take two hundred denarii
  2. John 6:19 Or about 5 or 6 kilometers
  3. John 6:31 Exodus 16:4; Neh. 9:15; Psalm 78:24,25
  4. John 6:45 Isaiah 54:13
  5. John 6:63 Or are Spirit; or are spirit