Skip to content

Commentaries
English
John
  
47"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.48I am the bread of life.49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.50This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die."


After proclaiming his unity with the Father, and the Spirit’s work in his hearers, Jesus again presented the truth of his essence for them to trust him. He explained the Christian principle briefly: He who believes in Jesus lives for ever. This truth is an assurance that death cannot cancel.
Jesus is like a loaf from God to the world. Just as the bread did not run out as it passed through his hands in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, so also Jesus suffices for the need of the world at all times, for in him the fullness of God dwells. From him you receive hope, joy and blessings. In a word, he offers the world God’s life, yet the world rejected him.
Manna descending in the wilderness was a gift from God; this provision lasted only briefly. All who ate it died. Thus we see in charitable works, technical developments and scientific discoveries, that they help for a while and in part. There is no cure for death in these features or victory over sin. But whoever accepts Christ will not die. This was Christ’s purpose, coming and resting in you. He wishes to dwell in you personally, so that no other spirit may rule over you. He can put out all evil desires, and calm your fears, as well as strengthen your weakness. He is God’s bread appointed for you. Eat and live, so as not to perish like other sinners.

Question
How did Jesus respond to the murmurings of his hearers?