Jesus exclaimed, "I am the bread of life. Your fathers [forefathers] ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died [physically].

1. Jesus is "the bread of life." See John 6:32-35. He is the source of eternal life. Jesus is the only way to heaven. (Jno. 3:36; 14:6).
2. This "bread" is very unlike the manna (bread) there forefathers had eaten in the wilderness. Those who ate the manna all died in due course. That bread was for this life only. The manna was food for the body, but it was no more. It only temporarily satisfied temporal hunger.
3. JOH 6:50 "This is the bread which comes down [became incarnate] out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die [spiritually and eternally].

• Those who eat of "the bread which comes down out of heaven" will not die.
• The words "not die" are explained later in the text. 

Jesus Is The Living Bread 

"I am the living bread that came down [became incarnate] out of heaven; if anyone [whosoever will] eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." (Jno. 6:51).

1. Jesus here claims to be "the living bread that came down out heaven."
2. He states "if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever."
3. He contends "the life of the world is My flesh."

• This is a reference to the cross and Christ's vicarious death.
• Jesus died for the world. (Jno. 3:16; 1 Jno. 2:1,2).  

The Jews therefore {began} to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us {His} flesh to eat?" (Jno. 6:52).

1. This bold statement of Jesus seemed absolutely absurd!
2. How could a person give us his flesh to eat? 

Jesus Reaffirms Bold Statement 

Jesus therefore said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. (Jno. 6:53).

1. This is the fourth time "Verily,verily" is used in this chapter. (John 6:26, 32, 47).
2. It is used to emphasize something very important. 

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (Jno. 6:54).

1. Jesus affirms one must "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood."
2. Those who do not "have no life in yourselves."
3. The one "who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life."
4. "I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:39,44.

• Jesus here infers the one eating His flesh and drinking His blood will die a physical death.
• Jesus will "raise him up on the last day."
• There would be no need for a resurrection unless there was first a death. 

 "For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. (Jno. 6:55).

1. Jesus Himself is the real food and drink of every believer.
2. Jesus supplies the spiritual needs of all believers. 

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (Jno. 6:56).

"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me." (Jno. 6:57).

1. Jesus substituted in this verse "he who eats Me" for "he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood" in verse 56.  
2. The one who eats who eats "Me" (Jesus) abides in Jesus and Jesus in him.

"This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers [forefathers] ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever." (Jno. 6:58). 

 These things He said in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. (Jno. 6:59). 

Difficult Statement 

Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard {this} said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" (Jno. 6:60).

1. The Jews called this "a difficult statement" to accept. It was absurd to think one could give his flesh and blood as food. It was even more absurd to think one eating flesh and drinking blood would not die, but would have eternal life. It was a violation of the Mosaical law to drink blood.
2. No man in his right mind could listen to such a preposterous and blasphemous statement.

Does This Cause You To Stumble? 

JOH 6:61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 

Jesus Infers His Later Ascension Into Heaven 

{"What} then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? (Jno. 6:62).

1. Jesus also infers "the Son of Man" (Himself) will ascend "where He was before."
2. Jesus came down from heaven. (Jno. 6:33,38,41).
3. Jesus' pre-existence is implied. John 8:58; 17:5. 

It Is The Spirit Who Gives Life 

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit [spiritual] and are life [life-giving]. (Jno. 6:63).

1. Jesus affirms "It is the Spirit who gives life." The Greek "pneuma" can mean either the human spirit or the Holy Spirit. It clear the human spirit is incapable of giving us life. The reference is to the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus says "the flesh profits nothing." Eating flesh, even the flesh of the Son of God, will not bring eternal life to a person. It is acceptance of the atonement of Jesus on the cross that brings eternal life to a person.
3. "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." The word "spirit" may have the idea of "spiritual." The word "life" means Jesus' words are the source of eternal life.

What Is The Meaning Of This Difficult Passage? 

1. Some maintain Jesus is talking about the Lord's Supper. The Synoptic Gospels all mention it. Some think this is John's reference to the Lord's supper.
2. They argue for the doctrine of transubstantiation - that is a change of substance. It is alleged the bread of the Supper once blessed becomes the flesh of Jesus.It is alleged the fruit of the vine of the Supper once blessed becomes the blood of Jesus.

1. The passage never talks about the Lord's supper. The Greek word "sarx" (flesh) is used in this passage. The passages which clearly refer to the Lord's supper use the Greek word "soma" (body). (Matt. 26:26; Mk.14:22; Lk. 22:19; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:24).
2. It is sinful to drink blood. It was a violation of the Noahic law and the law of Moses. (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; 7:26;17:11-14). It is forbidden by the law of Christ. (Acts 15:20,29). The Lord's supper becomes an act of cannibalism.
3. The word "blessed" has the idea of "giving thanks." The prayer does not change the bread and fruit of the vine to the flesh and blood of Jesus. A chemical analysis of the bread and fruit of the vine before and after the prayer or before or after its consumption reveals the substance is the same.
4. The words "this is my body" and "this is my blood" are metaphors. See John 10:7; 15:6.
5. The Lord's supper is a memorial, and a memorial stands for something. It is not the real thing.
6. This doctrine teaches other false doctrines.

• It infers the one who partakes of the Lord's supper even once has eternal life.
• The Greek aorist tense is used which is undefined action.
• It is a once for all, not continuous action.
• It grants eternal life to the non-Christian.

1. The one who partakes of Christ (accepts Him and His words) has eternal life. See John 6:68.
2. He will be raised on that last day. 

Conclusion.

1. This is a very meaningful passage.
2. It is one that is difficult, but very important.
3. Only those who feed on Christ and His words will have eternal life.