Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 6:63

λελάληκα for λαλῶ, with all the oldest MSS., versions, and Fathers.

63. τὸ ζωοποιοῦν] That maketh to live or giveth life. ‘Quickeneth’ obscures the connexion with ζωή ἐστιν.

ἡ σάρξ. Not ἡ σάρξ μου, which would contradict John 6:51. The statement is quite general, affirming the superiority of what is unseen and eternal to what is seen and temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 15:45), but with a reference to Himself. ‘My flesh’ in John 6:51 means ‘My human nature sacrificed in death,’ to be spiritually appropriated by every Christian, and best appropriated in the Eucharist. ‘The flesh’ here means the flesh without the spirit; that which can only be appropriated physically, like the manna. In this sense even Christ’s flesh ‘profiteth nothing.’ “The flesh was a vessel,” says S. Augustine; “consider what it held, not what it was.” Comp. John 3:6. Perhaps there is a reference to their carnal ideas about the Messiah.

τὰ ῥήματα. See on John 3:34. The authoritative ἐγώ, so frequent throughout this discourse (John 6:35; John 6:40-41; John 6:44; John 6:48; John 6:51; John 6:54), appears again: I, in contrast to mere human teachers. Λελάληκα, have spoken, in the discourse just concluded.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 6:63

Old Testament

New Testament