John 6:41-51

The Murmuring of the Jews. The changes of persons here (cf. John 6:22, the multitude), and of place in John 6:59, show that this chapter is not intended to record a continuous conversation, but to give specimens of Christ's teaching as the author has come to see its meaning, of objections raised and how they were answered. Jesus-' claims are challenged on the ground of His lowly origin (cf. Luke 4:22; Mark 6:3). The answer takes up the thought of John 6:37. Those alone will accept such an one to whom the Father gives the grace to hear the teaching promised in the prophets (Isaiah 54:13). All, who will hear, shall be taught, though (John 6:46) the teaching is not given by direct vision, but through faith in God's Messenger. In John 6:48 ff. the meaning of what has preceded is summed up. Jesus is the support of men's spiritual life. The old manna could not avert physical death, the new brings true life, over which physical death has no power. The thought is now carried to a further stage, which could hardly have had any meaning to the men of Christ's own generation. The bread which He will give, His flesh, is for the life of the world, a declaration of the propitiatory character of Christ's death, which clearly reflects later thought (cf. Scott, pp. 122ff.).