John 6:51
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
Continuing the bread of life discourse in Capernaum, Jesus contrasts himself with the manna of the wilderness and foreshadows the giving of his life for the world.
What Does John 6:51 Mean?
John 6:51 deepens Jesus' bread of life teaching with a striking claim: he is the living bread from heaven, and the bread he gives is his own flesh, given for the life of the world. What began as a lesson about heavenly food now points unmistakably to the cross.
Jesus calls himself "the living bread which came down from heaven," distinguishing himself from the manna Israel ate in the wilderness, which sustained the body but could not give lasting life. He then makes the promise personal: "if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." To partake of him is to receive life that death cannot end. The final phrase turns toward sacrifice: "the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." Twice he says "give," underscoring that this is a gift freely offered. His flesh given "for the life of the world" speaks of his self-offering on behalf of humanity -- his life laid down so that the world might live. To feed on this bread, then, is to receive by faith the Savior who gives himself completely. The sweep is universal: the bread is given for the life of the world.
In the Original Language
The Greek "ho artos ho zon" means "the living bread." "Sarx" (flesh) refers to his bodily life given in sacrifice, and "hyper tes tou kosmou zoes" means "for the life of the world."
Cross References
“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.”
- John 6:35
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
- John 1:29
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:24
Application
Jesus offers himself, his very life laid down, so that you might live forever. Receive him by faith as the bread your soul cannot live without.
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