Read the Passage: John 6

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: John 6

Feeding (6:1–14)

Broadly speaking, Jesus’ miracles fall into one of two categories: miracles that involve healing, and miracles that demonstrate His control over nature. John 6 contains two of Christ’s nature-related miracles, beginning with the feeding of the five thousand. Note that this is the only miracle recorded in each of the Gospels. At this point in His ministry, Jesus had been ministering for roughly two years and He was near the apex of His public popularity. Just prior to the events recorded here, Christ had learned about the death of His cousin, John the Baptist. Understandably, then, “Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee” (John 6:1) to rest and to mourn. While Christ desired time for His disciples to rest, and He surely needed time to mourn for His friend, given His popularity, the crowds followed Him into the wilderness. This impulsive pursuit by the crowd led to their lack of food.

Given His desire to be alone, it would be understandable if Jesus was bothered by the pursuing crowds. Yet, Matt. 14:14 records that when Jesus saw the great multitude “He was moved with compassion for them.” This is an important verse, for it shows us one of the reasons why Christ did miracles—that is, out of compassion for those affected by sin. Observe that when Jesus asked the disciples about how they could feed the crowds, the disciples’ response was to focus on the financial challenges (cf. John 6:7) and logistical impossibilities (cf. Matt. 14:15) of feeding so many people. While there is nothing wrong with approaching a problem with logic, this situation was a test of the disciples’ faith. Indeed, given that Jesus had previously turned water into wine (cf. John 2:1–10), the disciples should have had confidence in His ability to meet needs (cf. Matt. 16:9–10).

Walking (6:15–21)

The theme of this chapter is the provision of sustenance—both physical (cf. John 6:1–14) and spiritual (cf. John 6:22–71). Yet, this narrative is punctuated by the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. In this narrative, Jesus sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee ahead of Him. While Christ surely desired to have time by Himself to pray and to mourn, John notes that Jesus left the crowds, for they intended to make Him king by force. Matt. 14:25 reports that during the fourth watch of the night, which was sometime between 3am and 6am, Jesus walked out to the boat, on the water. Mark 6:52 reports that one reason for this miracle was, “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” Matthew writes that once the disciples witnessed this miracle, they began to worship Jesus and confessed, “Truly You are the Son of God” (cf. Matt. 14:33).

Teaching (6:22–71)

John 6:22–71 contains what is known as Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse, and it is only found in John’s Gospel. Christ’s teaching in this passage is the first of His seven “I AM” statements (cf. John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). This passage begins with the people recognizing that Jesus was now on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, in Capernaum. While they asked when Christ had crossed the Sea (cf. John 6:25), Jesus knew that what the crowds really wanted from Him was more material sustenance (cf. John 6:26). Jesus repeatedly exhorted the people to believe in Him (cf. John 6:27, 29, 32–33). Incredibly, despite Christ pointing the crowds toward Himself, they merely asked Him again and again for more food (cf. John 6:30–31, 34). Moreover, the crowds even began to complain concerning Jesus’ teaching about Himself (cf. John 6:41–42, 52).

Despite the peoples’ rejection of Him, Jesus was not deterred from His confidence in His Father’s plan (cf. John 6:43–51). Indeed, in John 6:53–59 Christ taught in more depth about the need to have faith and to trust in Him. In this passage Jesus spoke symbolically about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. In using this stark comparison, Christ was teaching that He is what mankind needs for spiritual sustenance. Internalizing material food and drink by eating is a temporary solution to a material problem; however, internalizing Jesus by faith is an eternal solution to a spiritual problem. Because the crowds were so focused on their material needs, their response to Christ’s teaching was to conclude, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60). Furthermore, at this time many followers abandoned Jesus (cf. John 6:66), but not the twelve apostles.

Application Questions:

1. How would you respond to someone who views miracles in the Bible as myths, legends, or fairy-tales?
2. Is it appropriate for Christians to mourn over the death of a loved one? How can Christians mourn well (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13–14)?
3. Why did Jesus perform the miracles that He chose to perform? Would more people have come to faith if Christ had performed more miracles?
4. Do you think the disciples’ confession of Jesus as the Son of God (cf. Matt. 14:33) was a legitimate profession of faith?
5. Which of Jesus’ teachings do you find to be the most difficult to accept? What knowledge of God is necessary for salvation?