John 6 - Introduction

CHAPTER SIX

Inasmuch as the events of Chapter Six are coincident with the third Passover feast of Jesus-' public ministry, we outline this chapter as the beginning of the third and final year of public ministry. Wescott summarizes the chapter as containing the whole essence of the Lord's Galilean ministry. It decisively contrasts the true and false conceptions of the Messianic kingship; Christ's concept is universal and spiritual; the people's concept is local and material.
All four Gospels record the miracles of feeding the five thousand and walking on the sea. To afford the reader a more comprehensive view of the events we have reproduced a harmony of all four accounts taken from The Gospels; The Unification of the Four Gospels, by Thomas G. Deitz, published by Eerdmans.

The three discourses of this sixth chapter have been sorely perverted by the advocates of Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation and Sacramentalism. The serious Bible student would do well to abide by the Lord's own interpretation of these discourses on the Bread of Life as He gives it in John 6:63.

We have outlined chapter six as follows:

II

The Word Manifested to the Jews and Their Rejection of Him. John 1:19 to John 12:50 (cont.)

D.

Public Ministry Beginning of Third Year John 6:1 to John 12:50

1.

The Bread of Life John 6:1-71

a.

Miracle of the loaves and fishes John 6:1-13

b.

Reaction of the multitudes John 6:14-15

c.

Walking upon the sea John 6:16-21

d.

The Mistaken search, John 6:22-29

e.

The Bread of Life I, John 6:30-40

f.

The Bread of Life II, John 6:41-51

g.

The Bread of Life III, John 6:52-59

h.

The Bread of Life explained, John 6:60-65

i.

The Twelve, their finest hour John 6:66-71

THE UNIFICATION OF THE FOUR GOSPELS

by Thomas Deitz

The following harmony is a conflation of all four Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) of the two miracles; feeding of the five thousand and walking on the sea:
After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. And the apostles gather themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught. And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And he took them. And they went away in the boat to a city called Bethsaida to a desert place apart. And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.
Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, had Compassion on them and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and began to teach them many things, And them that had need of healing he cured, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd.
And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, The day is now far spent, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place. Jesus saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings-' worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little; But Jesus said unto them, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat. How many loaves have ye? Go and see. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many? Now there was much grass in the place, And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they all ate, and were filled, And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes which remained over unto them that had eaten. And they that did eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.
And straightway he constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, and to go before him unto the other side of Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.
And when evening came, his disciples went down unto the sea; and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, the boat was in the midst of the sea and he alone on the land. And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them; but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters, to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? They were willing therefore to receive him unto them into the boat, and the wind ceased. And they were sore amazed in themselves; for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened. And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou are the Son of God.
And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, wither they were going, and moored to the shore. And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the people knew him, and ran round about that whole region, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And wheresoever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

EXPOSITORY SERMON NO. 6

THE BREAD OF LIFE

Introduction

I

PERIOD OF GREAT POPULARITY

A.

Climax of Great Galilean ministry

1.

Great multitudes followed Him.

a.

Visualize the great excitement to catch full meaning of this chapter.

II

JESUS-' COMPASSION

A.

His compassion not because of their hunger, but because they were as sheep not having a shepherd,

Discussion

I

THE MIRACLE

A.

Describe.

B.

Teaching aspect of the miracle

1.

Passover near God's sacrificial lambs would be eaten.

2.

What the bread of the miracle was to their bodies, His atoning death (His flesh and blood) would be to their souls.

3.

The spiritually minded would learn of His deity and Messiahship.

4.

The carnally minded would be satisfied with having been filled with the physical food.

C.

The miracle was used by Jesus to sift His disciples.

1.

Could not allow this multitude to continue to follow Him without their knowing the real nature of His Kingdom. this would be under false pretenses.

2.

Gospel still sifts today!

a.

It is still a spiritual kingdom.

b.

It still costs, and demands that members count the cost.

c.

There is no promise of physical peace or prosperity for men merely because they become Christians.

D.

Result of the Miracle

1.

They seek to force Him to be their physical king.

2.

Jesus expected certain results:

a.

Thoughts of their own hearts needed revealing.

b.

They sought Him, not because of the signs of His Messiahship and deity, but because they had eaten of the loaves and were filled.

3.

Application:

WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES THIS QUESTION: WHY DO I FOLLOW CHRIST? It is because of family tradition, because it is the line of least resistance, because of reputation, because of worldly advantage?

II

THE SERMON

A.

Jesus introduces by saying:

1.

You are seeking the wrong things set your hearts on the spiritual things.

2.

The multitudes say, How. What must we do that we may work the works of God?

3.

Jesus answers, Believe on Me.

a.

Jesus Himself taught that faith and works are one and the same. we are saved by works as well as by faith

b.

Believing is working

B.

The true Bread of Life is:

1.

Jesus. the Person

2.

His atoning death and justifying resurrection is the food for our spiritual life.

3.

The Jews may have thought Jesus spoke of His literal flesh

BUT JESUS INTERPRETS HIS WHOLE DISCOURSE BY SAYING. THE WORDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE. LET US ALLOW JESUS TO INTERPRET HIS OWN SERMON!

C.

The True Bread of Life:

1.

Gives life to the souls of men.

D.

How do we eat this Bread?

1.

Believe trust obey Jesus

2.

There are too many runt Christians, stunted because they have stopped eating. faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

THOUSANDS OF BABES IN CHRIST ARE DYING OF SPIRITUAL MALNUTRITION

3.

Then there are thousands more dying because they have been fed POISONED BREAD OF LIFE!

a.

A MAN WHO FEEDS POISONED FOOD TO PEOPLE IS A CRIMINAL. SO FALSE PREACHERS AND TEACHERS ARE GUILTY OF SPIRITUAL MURDER

b.

Pharisees compassed land and sea to make one proselyte. but then they made him twofold more a son of Hell by their false doctrines.

III

THE SIFTING

A.

Multitudes really knew what Jesus meant when He said, Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood.

1.

Their rejection of Him was moral. not intellectual.

2.

They wanted to dodge the issue by saying How can we eat this Man's flesh?

a.

THE SAYING WAS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND, BUT INTOLERABLE TO THEIR CARNAL MINDS.

b.

JESUS WOULD NOT BEND TO THEIR WISHES TO BE MADE A TEMPORAL KING, AND THEY LEFT HIM TO GO BACK TO THEIR OLD WAYS.

3.

Most of the rejection of Christ today is MORAL, and not INTELLECTUAL.

a.

It is not that men and women of America do not know about Christ and what they ought to do.

b.

THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO FOR-SAKE THE WAYS OF SIN!

B.

THIS WAS A GREAT TEST FOR THE TWELVE.

1.

This is their finest hour

2.

Even though confused about the kingdom, their basic desire was to know the words leading to eternal life.

3.

They passed this test of sifting because:

a.

They were sincere in their conviction that only Jesus had the words of Life

b.

They saw clearly that there were only two alternatives. accept Jesus and have the words of life, or reject Him and die spiritually.

C.

Their confidence in Jesus was:

1.

Possible because of their intimate association with Him and hearing and obeying His teaching.

2.

One cannot trust a stranger with such confidence

3.

Their confession was a result of having come to know.

WE CANNOT TRUST JESUS TODAY UNLESS WE HAVE AN INTIMATE ASSOCIATION WITH HIM BY STUDY, OBEDIENCE PRAYER AND LABOR IN THE KINGDOM

Conclusion

I

WHOLE MATTER OF ETERNAL LIFE IS IN FEEDING ON THE BREAD OF LIFE. THIS IS DONE BY ABIDING IN HIM. CONTINUALLY.

II

MUST NOT FEED UPON POISONED BREAD OF LIFE.

A.

THE MESSAGE OF ALL RELIGIOUS SECTS MUST BE TESTED AND ANALYZED. THEY MUST BE COMPARED WITH THE DIVINE STANDARD AND FORMULA AS REVEALED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

III

FOOD, UNLESS ASSIMILATED DOES NO GOOD. WE MAY COME TO CHURCH 50 YEARS WITH PERFECT ATTENDANCE, BUT UNLESS THE GOSPEL GETS DOWN INSIDE AND BECOMES A PART OF OUR SPIRITUAL BLOOD STREAM, WE SHALL DIE OF RITUALISM, HYPOCRISY, ETC.

EXAMINATION Chapter S 4, 5, and 6

Here are the questions You supply the answers as stated in the Scriptures.

1.

Q.

How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? A.

2.

Q.

Hath any man brought him aught to eat?

A.

3.

Q.

Wouldest thou be made whole?

A.

4.

Q.

Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?

A.

5.

Q.

What must we do, that we may work the works of God?

A.

6.

Q.

Would ye also go away?

A.

True or False?

1.

The Samaritan woman at the well was married.

2.

The woman, having come nearly two miles to get water, left her waterpot and returned to the city.

3.

The sower is always sure of reaping from his own labors.

4.

The nobleman was required to have faith before Jesus would heal his son.

5.

The man at the pool of Bethesda was healed on the sabbath.

6.

Anyone not worshipping Jesus as the Son of God does not worship God.

7.

The Jews never searched the Scriptures.

8.

The Sea of Galilee has four other names.

9.

Jesus interprets His own discourse on the Bread of Life.

10.

Jesus always knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him.

Can You match these portions of Scripture?

1.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth:

a.

but for the food which abideth unto eternal life,

2.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest?

b.

if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

3.

The hour cometh, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God;

c.

and shall come forth; they that have done good; unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

4.

Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice;

d.

except it be given unto him of the Father.

5.

Work not for the food which perisheth,

e.

the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

6.

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood,

f.

ye have not life in yourselves.

7.

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not:

g.

for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.

8.

It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing:

h.

behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.

9.

No man come to me,

i.

and they that hear shall live.

10.

For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me,

j.

except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.

.

k.

God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Multiple Choice

(Choose the answer which is most nearly correct)

1.

When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John, He.

a.

left Judea and went into Galilee

b.

left and went into Judea

c.

stopped making and baptizing disciples

2.

The mountain upon which the Samaritans worshipped was:

a.

Mt. Gerizim

b.

Mt. Gishon

c.

Mt. Gilgal

3.

If Jesus was in Samaria four months before harvest, He was there in the month of:

a.

April or May

b.

December or January

c.

September or October

4.

The man at the pool of Bethesda had been lame for:

a.

Thirty-eight years

b.

Forty-eight years

c.

Thirty-eight months

5.

The great sermon in John, the fifth chapter, is called:

a.

The Sermon on the Resurrection

b.

The Sermon on the Bread of Life

c.

The Sermon on Deity

6.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that the feeding of the five thousand took place near the city of:

a.

Bethesda

b.

Bethlehem

c.

Bethsaida

7.

The lad brought to Jesus by Andrew had with him:

a.

five fishes and two loaves

b.

five loaves and five fishes

c.

five loaves and two fishes

8.

The Sermon on the Bread of Life was delivered;

a.

In a synagogue in Capernaum

b.

On the shores of the Sea of Galilee

c.

On a mountain near Bethsaida Julias

9.

Jesus interpreted His own Sermon on the Bread of Life as:

a.

His literal flesh and blood

b.

The Lord's Supper (communion service)

c.

Abiding in His words which are spirit and are life

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Commentaries:

1.

Andrews, S. J., The Life of Our Lord Upon the Earth

2.

Barclay, Wm., The Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John, Two Volumes

3.

Barnes, Albert, Barnes Notes on The New Testament, Luke and John

4.

Bernard, J. H., Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to John (International Critical Commentary)

5.

Bruce, A. B., Training of the Twelve

6.

Dods, Marcus, The Gospel of St. John (The Expositor's Greek Testament)

7.

Foster, R. C., An Introduction to the Life of Christ

8.

Foster, R, C., Studies in the Life of Christ, Volume I

9.

Foster, R. C., A Syllabus of the Life of Christ

10.

Godet, F., Commentary on the Gospel of St. John

11.

Hendriksen, Wm., New Testament Commentary, John, Volumes 1 and 2

12.

Johnson, B. W., The People's New Testament with Notes, Vol. 1

13.

Lenski, R. C. H., Interpretation of St. John's Gospel

14.

McGarvey, J. W., The Fourfold Gospel

15.

McGarvey, J. W., Lands of the Bible

16.

Robertson, A. T., Word Pictures, The Gospel of John

17.

Trench, R. C., Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord

18.

Westcott, B, F., The Gospel According to St. John with Greek Text

Texts, Versions, Lexicons:

1.

Nestle, E., Novum Testamentum Grace Text

2.

Authorized King James Version

3.

American Standard Version

4.

New Catholic Edition, Confraternity, Douay Version

5.

The Amplified New Testament

6.

The Authentic New Testament

7.

The New Testament in Plain English

8.

Greek-English Lexicon, Arndt and Gingrich

9.

Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine