John 6:41
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At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jews murmured--muttered, not in our Lord's hearing, but He knew it (Joh 6:43; Joh 2:25). he said, I am the bread, &c.--Missing the sense and glory of this, and having no relish for such sublimities, they harp upon the "Bread from heaven." "What can this mean? Do we not know all about Him--where, when, and of whom He was born? And yet He says He came down from heaven!"
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. The miracle of the loaves (Joh 6:1-14). II. Christ's walking upon the water (Joh 6:15-21). III. The people's flocking after him to Capernaum (Joh 6:22-25). IV. His conference with them, occasioned by the miracle of the loaves, in which he reproves them for seeking carnal food, and directs them to spiritual food (Joh 6:26, Joh 6:27), showing them how they must labour for spiritual food (Joh 6:28, Joh 6:29), and what that spiritual food is (v. 30-59). V. Their discontent at what he said, and the reproof he gave them for it (Joh 6:60-65). VI. The apostasy of many from him, and his discourse with his disciples that adhered to him upon that occasion (Joh 6:66-71).
Open source ↗6:41-42 When Jesus identified himself as the true bread . . . from heaven, the crowd faced a decision. • Isn’t this . . . the son of Joseph? They stumbled because their familiarity with Jesus made his claims seem outlandish.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
I am the bread of life.
Many in the crowds were whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.”
On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?”
From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”