Verse by Verse

30 They said therefore unto Him, “What sign showest 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.”

Jesus said “believe on Me,” but they weren’t ready even to simply believe Him (believe what He said). They demanded a sign — in spite of having seen Him feed the crowd the day before. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:22).

Their inference was that Jesus’ miracle of feeding 5,000 was not as great as Moses’ miracle of feeding manna to the entire nation of Israel.

Manna gives physical life temporarily, but the true bread from heaven (Jesus) gives spiritual and physical life forever.

Jesus explains that God, not Moses, brought the manna.

Their request for a sign and reference to Moses and manna sounds like they were just looking for another meal. “Feed us again, and then we will believe.” Moses provided manna for 40 years — they also wanted a lifetime supply.

Manna — Then said the LORD unto Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no” (Exodus 16:4). And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels’ food: He sent them meat to the full (Psalm 78:24-25).

There was a tradition among the Jews that the Messiah would also cause manna to fall.

True bread from heaven (verse 32) — real, genuine, satisfying, spiritual

Bread of God (verse 33) — Divine, eternal

giveth life (v.33) — the tense indicates a continuous giving of life. He keeps on giving.

Bread of life (verse 35) — gives and sustains life

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 Labor 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.”

The crowd looked for Jesus, not to believe on Him, or even to see His miracles, but because He gave them food — a selfish, carnal reason.

They had worked hard chasing Him for perishable food. He tells them to look for nonperishable food — eternal life — that comes without work.

God the Father sealed (v.27) — Jesus was accredited by God, sealed by the Spirit, and empowered to give eternal life.

seal (v.27) = sign of ownership and authenticity.

What shall we do? (v.28) — even though Jesus had just said He would give it to them.

that we might work (v.28) — They sought to satisfy God with their own efforts, to make themselves acceptable to God.

Jesus said, “believe on Me” (v.29)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5).

Jesus offers food that will last for eternity and then later reveals that He is that food.

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?

Not everyone followed. He had sent most of them away (Matthew 14:22).

They saw Him send His disciples away and go up the mountain. Now, without a boat, He was across the sea.

They didn’t ask “how” did you arrive, but “when.” It didn’t occur to them that He’d done something supernatural. Jesus does not answer the question.

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.

a king — not “the” King. They wanted Him to lead a revolt against Roman rule.

Scripture says God would enthrone Him after He died.

25-30 furlongs — approximately three miles, or halfway across the seven-mile-wide lake.

a second miracle (verse 21) — the boat was immediately at shore.

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.

This miracle was a partial fulfillment of Psalm 132:13-15 — For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is My rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. It will be fully realized in the Millennial Kingdom.

That prophet — The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; according to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not (Deuteronomy 18:15-16). In John 1:21, the Jews thought John the Baptist was “that prophet.”

5,000 men = literally, in Greek, “males” — plus women and children

grass — green pastures — peace and provision

as much as they would — it was “all you can eat.”

when they were filled — contrast this with Philip’s statement in verse 7 — “everyone may take a little.”

filled twelve baskets — the abundance of grace.

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.

8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him,

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

They were near Bethsaida, where Philip was from.

lad = little boy

200 denariis = 200 day’s pay, approximately — a year’s wages

The number 200, in Scripture, is associated with evil (Joshua 7:21; Judges 17:4; 1 Samuel 30:40; 2 Samuel 14:26; Revelation 9:16). Here it reflects Philip’s unbelief.

Why … was this particular miracle singled out for special prominence? … Three answers have been suggested, which may be summarized thus: First, because there was an evidential value to this miracle which excelled that of all others. Some of our Lord’s miracles were wrought in private, or in the presence of only a small company; others were of a nature that made it difficult, in some cases impossible, for skeptics to examine them. But here was a miracle, performed in the open, before a crowd of witnesses which were to be numbered by the thousand. Second, because of the intrinsic nature of the miracle. It was a creation of food: the calling into existence of what before had no existence. Third, because of the typical import of the miracle. It spoke directly of the person of Christ.  — Pink, page 286.

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

2 And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.

3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.

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

The Sea of Galilee was named Sea of Tiberius by Herod Antipas in 20 A.D. in honor of Emperor Tiberius.

While Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee in a boat, the crowd walked around the shore on foot (Mark 6:33).

The people liked Jesus’ miracles, but when He told them who He was, many left. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him (John 6:66). They saw Him as a magician, but not as Messiah or Savior.

The Passover was near, but the Lamb of God to whom the Passover pointed was not wanted. The Israelites, on the first Passover, believed and feasted on lamb. Their descendants did not believe — and were spiritually hungry.

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

40 And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.

41 I receive not honor from men.

42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

43 I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me.

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?

Search the Scriptures (v.39) — an appeal and a command

You think (v.39) — not in a doubtful sense. Jesus was pointing out the flaws in their faith.

search (in Greek)(v.39)  = like a hunter tracking his quarry

Scriptures testify of Christ (v.39) — prophecies, types, priestly functions (John 1:45). Philip searched the Scriptures and believed.

Ye will not come (v.40) = You do not will to come

Jesus didn’t say these things to gain their regard, but for their own good.

In My Father’s name (v.43) — as His personal representative

if another shall come in his own name (v.43) — During the first century after Christ, dozens of false messiahs came to the Jews and all gained large followings. This is also a prophecy of the Antichrist (Revelation 13). Antichrist must be Jewish because Jews would accept no other as Messiah.

The rabbis thought knowledge of the Scripture, in itself, brought life. Paul counters this in Galatians 3:21: Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

The Scriptures exist to testify of Christ.

They honored Moses and studied his writings, but Jesus said those very writings accuse them because they testify of Him (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Luke 24:44; 2 Corinthians 3:15).

If there is one thing those Jews thought they believed, it was Moses and his writings. They contended earnestly for the law: they venerated the name of Moses above almost all of their national heroes. They would have been ready to die for what Moses taught. And yet here is the Son of God solemnly declaring that these Jews did not believe Moses, and furnishing proof by showing that if they had really believed Moses’ writings they had believed in Christ, of whom Moses wrote. How terribly deceptive is the human heart! — Pink, page 283-284.

What were the Jews doing while Jesus was saying all this?

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me.

37 And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.

38 And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.

Christ performed miracles, which should have convinced the Jews that God had sent Him, as it did Nicodemus. (John 3:2; John 10:25)

The Father gave direct witness of the Son three times: (1) His baptism — Matthew 3:16-17 (2) On the Mount of Transfiguration — Matthew 17:5 (3) Before His crucifixion — John 12:28

The Jewish leaders had never heard nor seen God’s witness, but they had seen and heard the Son (Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds — Hebrews 1:2) and they still didn’t believe.

They read the Scriptures, but didn’t have it in their hearts (v.38).

33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

Jesus reminds the Jewish leaders that they heard what John the Baptist had to say about Him, but He goes on to say that He doesn’t need the testimony of any man.

Jesus doesn’t need others to affirm Him, but He allows it so others can hear of Him and be saved. Jesus didn’t need John’s testimony, but the Jew’s did.

receive (v.34) = lay hold of, grasp

John was (v.34) — by this time, John had been killed by Herod.

burning and shining light (v.35) — John was not the light (John 1:20). He was just a carrier of the light in fulfillment of Psalm 132:17 — There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed.

The Jews got excited about John’s prophecy of the coming Messiah, but they didn’t understand it or respond to it. And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented (Matthew 11:17).