John 6 - Jesus Feeds The 5,000 and Walks on Water
Joh 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. Jesus went to the sea of Galilee to continue His ministry. (Also know as the sea of Tiberias, the name of a town on the southwest part of the lake). Tiberias was built by Herod Antipas in 22 AD, in honor of Tiberias Ceasar. The city of Tiberias is still in existence. It was not visited by the Lord, and therefore not guilty of rejecting Him. All the cities which did reject Him have perished.
Joh 6:2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Huge crowds followed Jesus because they saw all the miracles that He had did. (Matthew 12:15). Again, Christ new what the Jewish leaders were thinking (wanting to kill Him), so He left the area and the people followed Him. (They were really mad now because people were leaving their churches to follow Jesus). When you teach truth, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, people will follow you. (Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear).
Joh 6:3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Sitting with the disciples for a little rest and conversation. (A hill that was overlooking the lake). (Matthew 15:29). He returned back to the city of Galilee where He started from. Christ walked 100 miles total for that lesson. (Jesus saw that the crowds were approaching).
Joh 6:4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. Time for the Jewish Passover celebration. (Celebrated the deliverance of the children of Israel from their slavery in Egypt). The blood of the lamb painted on the doorposts of a house that allowed the angel of death to "pass over" the Jewish households, while all the firstborn of Egypt were killed. (Exodus 12:6-14). However, in the Christian belief, Paul would explain that Christ became our Passover at the crucifixion. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
Joh 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Jesus saw the crowds and knew that they were hungry, and asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed the people.
Joh 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. This word "prove" is "peirazo" Strong's G3985, meaning to test, entice, assay, prove. "Jesus was just testing Philip, He already knew what He was going to do about the food."
Joh 6:7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. A "Pennyworth" is equivalent to "denarion" (denarii) Strong's G1220, let's say a days labor. (About $100). Two hundred "denarii" is roughly $20,000. Philip is saying that even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them.
Joh 6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, One of the disciples Andrew spoke up.
Joh 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? The young boy had five loaves of bread and two small fish (probably Tilapia). But Andrew said; what good would they be to feed such a multitude?
Joh 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus instructed the disciple to tell everyone to sit down in the grass. There were about five thousand men, besides the women and children. (Matthew 14:21). Which brings us to around 10,000 to 12,000 people in the crowd. The book of Mark tells us that the groups of people were instructed to sit in groups of fifty and a hundred. (Mark 6:40). Hundreds and by fifty’s in perfect order. (God like thing's done in order).
Joh 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. Jesus took the Loaves of bread and gave thanks to God, then gave the bread to the disciples to distribute to the people. (Just as it would be His disciples, or sent ones to teach the Word, "the living bread of life," to the people in the world). Afterword He did the same with the fish. The people ate as much as they wanted. (The same applies to the Word of God, as a believer, you can absorb as much as you would like). The fish as we know today represents Christianity.
Joh 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. After everyone had eaten and was full, Jesus told the disciples to gather up the leftovers, so nothing was wasted.
Joh 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. The disciples gathered the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps that were left over from the people who had eaten. (One for each of the disciples representing the twelve tribes). In the future sense, the fragments of people from the twelve tribes will be gathered together in the end times. (It is taking place as we speak).
Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. After the people seen what had just happened with this miracle, they finally realized that Jesus was the Prophet that they were expecting. I think they finally figured out that this was the Prophet that Moses was talking about. (Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:22-24, Acts 7:37).
Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. Jesus knew that the people wanted to make them their king, so He slipped away into the hills by himself to pray.
Joh 6:16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, Meanwhile His disciples went down to the shore to wait for Him. (It was late in the day). The book of Matthew records that it was Jesus who made the disciples leave while He took care of sending the crowds away. Then He slipped away to pray. (Matthew 14:22). Perhaps because the crowds were getting a little out of hand because they wanted to make Jesus their king. (The disciples were about to face a storm of their own shortly).
Joh 6:17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. It started to get dark out and Jesus had not returned yet, so the disciples got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.
Joh 6:18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. A gale wind swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. (Matthew 14:24). The disciples were now in trouble of their own.
Joh 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. They rowed out about three or four miles (around half way to Capernaum), when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. And of course, they were afraid. (They thought they had seen some kind of ghost).
Joh 6:20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Jesus called out to them and said, "Don't be afraid; I am here." "Wow, what a relief."
Joh 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Then the disciples were eager to let Jesus in the boat (Mark 6:51). As soon as Jesus came aboard, the storm stopped and they arrived at their destination.
Joh 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; The next day, the crowd that had stayed on the far shore realized that the disciples had taken the only boat and that Jesus had not gone with them.
Joh 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) Several other boats from Tiberias had landed where the people had eaten.
Joh 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. When the crowds realized that Jesus or the disciples were not there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for Jesus.
Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? They found Him on the other side of the lake and asked Jesus how He got there. "Remember they knew that Jesus didn't enter the boat that the disciples were in when they left the night before." (Jesus never mentioned to to the people that He had walked on water).
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Here comes another truth from Jesus about the people. They didn't understand the miraculous signs He performed, but they understood a free meal. (Philippians 2:21, James 4:3). People always worried about the flesh and not the spirit.
Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Don't always be concerned about perishable things such as food. Spend your energy seeking eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. "God the Father has given Christ His seal of approval." (Isaiah 55:2, Matthew 6:31-33, Colossians 3:2). Put your mind on the things of God, and forget worrying about things down here on earth. The world has nothing to offer you when it comes to salvation and eternal life. (You need to feed the Spirit within you the Word of God).
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? How can we do the works of God? But, what kind of works are they thinking about? They are thinking they have to do something for God.
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jesus tells them that the only work that God wants from them, is that they believe in the One who He has sent. (1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:1, Romans 4:4-5). Spiritually speaking, people are not counted righteous because of their works, but because of their faith in Jesus who forgives sinners. (Good works are part of being a Christian, but salvation comes form faith in Jesus Christ).
Joh 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? They wanted another sign from Jesus before they would believe in Him. Wow! Jesus gave them plenty of signs! "He turned water to wine, healed the officials son, healed a paralyzed man, fed five thousand people with a few loaves of bread and couple of fish." How dumb are these people? People have not changed much today; some will just never get it.
Joh 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Our ancestors ate manna while they were in the wilderness. "The Scriptures say, Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat." (Nehemiah 9:15, Psalm 78:24-25).
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. Jesus told them, "It wasn't Moses who gave the food, it was God." Now He is offering you the true bread from heaven. (Christ is that true bread of life). (1 John 5:20). We are talking of the one true God; not the fake antichrist that comes first to deceive the world. (This is where most of the people in today's world will mess up). "They have never been taught the truth."
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. "It is Jesus Christ, the true bread of life, the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (1 John 1:1-2). Christ is that eternal life that was made known to us.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. The people asked Christ, "Give us that bread every day."
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty." (i.e. one represents the other). When you are in Christ, you will never hunger, or thirst for truth. "It will all be open to you."
Joh 6:36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. You have seen Me Jesus is saying, but you still haven't believed in Me. They had it all right in front of them, but could not see Him as savior, and would not believe Him. Just think how much your Heavenly Father will love you as a believing Christian today. (1 Peter 1:8-9). Even though you cannot see Him, you still believe. God loves that kind of faith and you can feel His presence through the Holy Spirit.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Those that the Heavenly Father has given to Christ, will come to Him, and He will never reject them. "The same applies to us as teachers of the Word." (Revelation 22:17). Never hold back the truth of God's Word when someone thirsts for it. But, don't waste your time on those who will not listen, and do not accept the Word.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. I came to do the will of God, not to do My own will. Again, the same applies to us as teachers of the Word. (Always do the will of the Heavenly Father). This becomes a problem in many denominational ministries because they are under church doctrine and certain rules they must follow. "Jesus had a nondenominational free ministry that was open to all who wanted to receive the truth."
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. It is the Heavenly Father's will that Jesus should not lose even one of all those He has given Him. But, that He should raise them up in the last day. Future sense: "The Lord's Day!" (1 Peter 1:5). Through your faith, God will protect you by His power until salvation is revealed in the last days. This should bring our attention to: (Acts 2:17). When the "Holy Spirit" will speak through men and women in the last days. What did Joel say? (Joel 2:28-32). Christ would speak of this same thing Himself when many will be delivered up before the antichrist. (Luke 12:10-12).
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is the Heavenly Father's will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. "Jesus Christ will raise them up in the last day." The key words here are "see" and "believe." Do you have the eyes to "see" the truth? Do you "believe" in the one true Christ?
Joh 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. They just could not get it! The truth is: "They did not want to believe that He came down from heaven as the Son of God."
Joh 6:42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? They just knew Him as the Son of Joseph. They knew His earthly father and mother. So they could not understand how He could possibly come down from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47).
Joh 6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. "Jesus finally told them to stop complaining about what He had said." (Set it aside and maybe you will understand it later). Sometimes it takes man a little time for things to sink in.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. In other words, no one can come to Christ unless they are drawn to Him by the Heavenly Father. (God is in control). All that are drawn to Christ by the Heavenly Father will be raised up in the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. It is written! "They will all be taught by God." Everyone who "listens" to the Heavenly Father and "learns" from Him comes to Christ. Where is it written? (Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:33-34, Micah 4:2).
Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. No man has seen the Father; only Jesus, who was sent from God has seen Him. (Matthew 11:27).
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. This is made very clear here. "You must believe in Jesus Christ to have eternal life." (1 John 5:12-13). Again, your choice! Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan.
Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life. Again, Christ is that true bread of life.
Joh 6:49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness Christ is saying, but they all died. (Numbers 26:65, Zechariah 1:5).
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. Jesus is the spiritual bread. "He won't just sustain you for a day, but forever." (Romans 8:10). When this physical body dies because of sin; the Holy Spirit gives you life, because you have been made right with God as a believer. (Romans 5:21).
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. We are speaking spiritually here. The bread represents the body of Christ. The wine represents the blood of Christ. This was a one time event at the crucifixion where Christ gave His body and shed His blood for the sins of the world. However, there are churches out there that attempt to offer Jesus again and again as a sacrifice during communion. However, Jesus said, "It is finished." (John 19:30). In the book of Hebrews it says: And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (Hebrews 10:11). Under the old covenant, the priests ministered before the alter day after day, offering the same sacrifices over and over, but could never take away sins. "The same goes for today; no priest, pastor, or minister can take away, or give penance for your sins." Only God can forgive your sins upon repentance to Him, and Him only. (Never confess your sins to any so called man or woman of God). But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12), Our High Priest, Jesus Christ offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for the sins of the world. "Good for all time." Then He sat in the place of honor at the right hand of God. (Acts 2:33-34, Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1). From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Hebrews 12:13). There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet. (Psalm 110:1, Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36). For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 12:14). By that one offering He made perfect those who are being made holy. (Romans 15:16). Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before. (Hebrews 12:15). The Holy Spirit is a witness to this. (John 15:26, 1 Peter 1:11-12, 2 Peter 1:21). The purpose of communion is in the remembrance of how Christ died for us, and what took place at the "Last Supper," which was on the celebration of Passover. (Luke 22:19). The true "Bread of Life." (Jesus instructed the disciples to do this in remembrance of Him on the Passover).
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? They didn't get it, just as many still don't get it today. (Communion is a symbolic event).
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Jesus said it again, but they still did not understand that He was speaking spiritually. (Again, it is a symbolic event). No one is eating flesh or drinking blood like some denominations want you to believe.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Eat and drink the wisdom of Jesus Christ through the Word. We must seek and believe in Him first. (Psalm 22:26, Proverbs 9:4-6, Isaiah 55:1-3).
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. The true food for the spirit. "The one and only true God!" (1 John 5:20).
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Know Him, except Him, and you will remain in Him, and He remains in you. (Ephesians 3:17, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:15-16, Revelation 3:20). Christ will not beg people to be saved and we can't either. When you hear Him calling you need to answer, and then He will come and fellowship with you. Conversion comes from within.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. Christ lives because of the Heavenly Father who sent Him. In the same way, anyone who feeds on Christ (believes in Him), will live because of Him. (1 John 4:9). God showed how much He love us by sending His only begotten Son into this wicked world to bring us eternal life through His death.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. This is the true "bread of life" which came down from heaven, and when you partake (believe) in Him (Jesus Christ), you will live forever. (John 6:47-51).
Joh 6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Jesus was teaching this in the synagogue in Capernaum. (Luke 4:31).
Joh 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? Many of His followers were still confused and said; this was very hard to understand. "How can anyone accept it?"
Joh 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? Jesus knew that the disciples were complaining about what He had just said, so He asked them; "does this offend you?"
Joh 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? Jesus asked them; "what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?" In other words, Jesus is saying that if you have trouble understanding the symbology of communion; then you are never going to understand how Jesus will be raised from the dead, and ascend into heaven where He originally came from. They still didn't understand who He was, or where He came from. (John 3:13, John 16:28).
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. It is the Spirit alone that gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. These words that I have spoken to you are spiritual and give life. (1 Peter 1:23). "Born from above." Not of corruptible seed or body that shall parish; but born of a new spirit from within, that will last forever because it comes from the eternal living Word of God.
Joh 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Some still would not believe Him. Jesus knew from the beginning which ones would believe, and He also knew who would betray Him. (Speaking of Judas Iscariot).
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Jesus would explain to them again; "This is why I said that people can't come to Me unless the Father gives them to Me." (2 Timothy 2:25). Only God can change those who do not believe. The Heavenly Father is the one who changes hearts. You plant the seed, He will make it grow, "if it is His will."
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Many of His followers turned away and deserted Him because of what He was saying. (Hebrews 10:38). God's righteous ones (True Christians), will live by faith. However, He will take no pleasure in those who turn away. (Psalm 5:4).
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Are you going to leave also, Jesus asked the twelve disciples?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Simon Peter replied, You have the words that give eternal life, we will follow no other.
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. We believe and know, "You are the Holy One of God."
Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."
Joh 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. He was speaking of Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples that would betray Him. What a shock to the disciples when they heard this. I believe they all had that little sick feeling in their stomach's when they heard that one of them would betray Jesus. Can Jesus count on you till the end?
Keep the faith,
Barton
