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。

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

The Fourth Sign: Feeding 5,000

After(A) this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee(B) (or Tiberias(C)). And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick. So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples.

Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him,(D) He asked Philip,(E) “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” He asked this to test him,(F) for He Himself knew what He was going to do.

Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii(G) worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.”

One of His disciples, Andrew,(H) Simon(I) Peter’s(J) brother, said to Him, “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?”

10 Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000.(K) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.(L)

12 When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.”(M) 13 So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

14 When the people saw the sign[a] He had done, they said, “This really is the Prophet(N) who was to come(O) into the world!”(P) 15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king,(Q) He withdrew again[b] to the mountain by Himself.

The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water

16 When(R) evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum.(S) Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. 19 After they had rowed about three or four miles,[c] they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

20 But He said to them, “It is I.[d](T) Don’t be afraid!” 21 Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.

The Bread of Life

22 The next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea knew there had been only one boat.[e](U) They also knew that Jesus had not boarded the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone off alone. 23 Some boats from Tiberias(V) came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord gave thanks. 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi,(W) when did You get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you saw[f] the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food that perishes(X) but for the food that lasts for eternal life,(Y) which the Son of Man(Z) will give you, because God the Father(AA) has set His seal of approval on Him.”

28 “What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked.

29 Jesus replied, “This is the work(AB) of God—that you believe in the One He has sent.”(AC)

30 “What sign then are You going to do so we may see and believe You?” they asked. “What are You going to perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna(AD) in the wilderness,(AE) just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.[g](AF)[h]

32 Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Moses(AG) didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always!”

35 “I am(AH) the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me(AI) will ever be hungry,(AJ) and no one who believes in Me(AK) will ever be thirsty(AL) again. 36 But as I told you, you’ve seen Me,[i] and yet you do not believe. 37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.(AM) 38 For I have come down from heaven,(AN) not to do My will, but the will of Him(AO) who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise(AP) them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father:(AQ) that everyone who sees the Son(AR) and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise(AS) him up on the last day.”

41 Therefore the Jews started complaining about Him because He said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph,(AT) whose father and mother we know? How can He now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus answered them, “Stop complaining among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws[j] him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets:(AU) And they will all be taught by God.(AV)[k] Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father(AW) comes to Me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father(AX) except the One who is from God.(AY) He has seen the Father.(AZ)

47 “I assure you: Anyone who believes[l] has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna(BA) in the wilderness,(BB) and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die.(BC) 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live(BD) forever.(BE) The bread that I will give for the life(BF) of the world is My flesh.”(BG)

52 At that, the Jews argued(BH) among themselves,(BI) “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

53 So Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man(BJ) and drink His blood,(BK) you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood(BL) has eternal life, and I will raise(BM) him up on the last day, 55 because My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. 56 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me, and I in him.(BN) 57 Just as the living(BO) Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live(BP) because of Me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna[m] your fathers ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”(BQ)

59 He said these things while teaching in the synagogue(BR) in Capernaum.(BS)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60 Therefore, when many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard! Who can accept[n] it?”

61 Jesus, knowing in Himself(BT) that His disciples were complaining about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man(BU) ascending(BV) to where He was before? 63 The Spirit(BW) is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning(BX) those who would not[o] believe and the one who would betray(BY) Him.) 65 He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me(BZ) unless it is granted to him by the Father.”

66 From that moment many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. 67 Therefore Jesus said to the Twelve,(CA) “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

68 Simon Peter(CB) answered, “Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God!”[p](CC)

70 Jesus replied to them, “Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve?(CD) Yet one of you is the Devil!”(CE) 71 He was referring to Judas,(CF) Simon Iscariot’s son,[q][r] one of the Twelve, because he was going to betray(CG) Him.

Footnotes

  1. John 6:14 Other mss read signs
  2. John 6:15 A previous withdrawal is mentioned in Mk 6:31-32, an event that occurred just before the feeding of the 5,000.
  3. John 6:19 Lit 25 or 30 stadia; 1 stadion = 600 feet
  4. John 6:20 Lit I am
  5. John 6:22 Other mss add into which His disciples had entered
  6. John 6:26 Or perceived
  7. John 6:31 Bread miraculously provided by God for the Israelites
  8. John 6:31 Ex 16:4; Ps 78:24
  9. John 6:36 Other mss omit Me
  10. John 6:44 Or brings, or leads; see the use of this Gk verb in Jn 12:32; 21:6; Ac 16:19; Jms 2:6.
  11. John 6:45 Is 54:13
  12. John 6:47 Other mss add in Me
  13. John 6:58 Other mss omit the manna
  14. John 6:60 Lit hear
  15. John 6:64 Other mss omit not
  16. John 6:69 Other mss read You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God
  17. John 6:71 Other mss read Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son
  18. John 6:71 Lit Judas, of Simon Iscariot

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat 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 cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy [a]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 [b]shillings’ worth of [c]bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many? 10 Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would. 12 And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over unto them that had eaten. 14 When therefore the people saw the [d]sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

15 Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.

16 And when evening came, his disciples went down unto the sea; 17 and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. 19 When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid. 20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21 They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat: and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going.

22 On the morrow the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other [e]boat there, save one, and that Jesus entered not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went away alone 23 (howbeit there came [f]boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks): 24 when the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they themselves got into the [g]boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they 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 signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed. 28 They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom [h]he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What then doest thou for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He [i]gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. 37 All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and [j]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 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, [k]And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath 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 cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Jesus therefore 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 not life in yourselves. 54 He that 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 [l]meat indeed, and my blood is [m]drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in [n]the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear [o]it? 61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble? 62 What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and 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 it was that should [p]betray him. 65 And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.

66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou [q]hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God. 70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should [r]betray him, being one of the twelve.

Footnotes

  1. John 6:5 Greek loaves.
  2. John 6:7 The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about eight pence halfpenny, or nearly seventeen cents.
  3. John 6:7 Greek loaves.
  4. John 6:14 Some ancient authorities read signs.
  5. John 6:22 Greek little boat.
  6. John 6:23 Greek little boats.
  7. John 6:24 Greek little boats.
  8. John 6:29 Or, he sent
  9. John 6:31 Neh. 9:15; Ex. 16:4, 15; Ps. 78:24; 105:40.
  10. John 6:40 Or, that I should raise him up
  11. John 6:45 Isa. 54:13; (Jer. 31:34?).
  12. John 6:55 Greek true meat.
  13. John 6:55 Greek true drink.
  14. John 6:59 Or, a synagogue
  15. John 6:60 Or, him
  16. John 6:64 Or, deliver him up
  17. John 6:68 Or, hast words
  18. John 6:71 Or, deliver him up