John 6:50-69
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread[a] which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”[b] 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 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 abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.” 59 This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper′na-um.
The Words of Eternal Life
60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?[c] 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him. 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, “Will you also go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 6.51 Jesus is the “living bread” both as Word of God (verses 32ff) and as sacrificial victim for the salvation of man.
- 6.52 A natural question to ask. Jesus answers, not by explaining it away, but by re-emphasizing the reality, though not, of course, in the crude sense implied in their question.
- 6.62 When Jesus ascends into heaven they will know that he spoke the truth.
John 6:50-69
New King James Version
50 (A)This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread (B)which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and (C)the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
52 The Jews therefore (D)quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless (E)you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 (F)Whoever 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 [a]food indeed, and My blood is [b]drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood (G)abides 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 live because of Me. 58 (H)This is the bread which came down from heaven—not (I)as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Turn Away
60 (J)Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a [c]hard saying; who can understand it?”
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples [d]complained about this, He said to them, “Does this [e]offend you? 62 (K)What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 (L)It is the Spirit who gives life; the (M)flesh profits nothing. The (N)words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But (O)there are some of you who do not believe.” For (P)Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore (Q)I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 (R)From that time many of His disciples went [f]back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have (S)the words of eternal life. 69 (T)Also we have come to believe and know that You are the [g]Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Read full chapterThe Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
