John Chapter 6 is divided into four sections. First there's a feeding of the 5000 by Jesus, second is the miracle where Jesus walks on water, third is the acclamation when Jesus says he is the bread of life, and four is when the disciples and Jesus have a discussion.
(v.1-15)
The feeding of the 5000 is one of the most important miracles in the Bible because it is such an incredible miracle. Through supernatural powers Jesus changed five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish into where it fed 5000 and had 12 baskets left over. A symbol is placed in this chapter that starts from the beginning and goes into the end of the chapter, and that symbol is bread; we will see this quite often in this chapter. The chapter mentions that a great multitude of people follow Jesus because of the miracles that he has done, so it is clear that Jesus is in his prime of his ministry. One thing that we must know about this crowd is that they are filled with all kinds of people; there are the poor people, the rich people, and the middle-class. At one point Jesus just looks among the crowd, then looks to Philip and says, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?" Philip, being a statistical man, says it would take more than half a year's wage just to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Let's talk about Philip - he was a practical guy, always thinking about the bottom line. In the Bible we see that all disciples have a job, and Phillip's job was to be in charge of supplies - he was a trustee. One similarity that we see with Philip is he is doubtful like Thomas. Jesus knows the answer for the food; he did not need to ask Philip the question, "Where we will we get food?" He does this to test Philip, and Philip fails the test. Philip gets a second chance:
And yet again Philip fails. As humans we are always seeking for facts. We must step outside the box and ask the spiritual questions. The most important part about this first section is that after Jesus does the miracle, the people among the crowd said, "Surely this is the prophet who is coming to the world." That part is so important because that is the recognition and acknowledgment that God is King. Through the supernatural powers, people of the crowd finally realize that Jesus is Messiah. Unfortunately, we are not able to see Jesus do his amazing works but every day is a miracle because we are living and we sin but yet we are forgiven. We don't need to see the miracles of Jesus - him giving his life for us was enough.
The feeding of the 5000 is one of the most important miracles in the Bible because it is such an incredible miracle. Through supernatural powers Jesus changed five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish into where it fed 5000 and had 12 baskets left over. A symbol is placed in this chapter that starts from the beginning and goes into the end of the chapter, and that symbol is bread; we will see this quite often in this chapter. The chapter mentions that a great multitude of people follow Jesus because of the miracles that he has done, so it is clear that Jesus is in his prime of his ministry. One thing that we must know about this crowd is that they are filled with all kinds of people; there are the poor people, the rich people, and the middle-class. At one point Jesus just looks among the crowd, then looks to Philip and says, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?" Philip, being a statistical man, says it would take more than half a year's wage just to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Let's talk about Philip - he was a practical guy, always thinking about the bottom line. In the Bible we see that all disciples have a job, and Phillip's job was to be in charge of supplies - he was a trustee. One similarity that we see with Philip is he is doubtful like Thomas. Jesus knows the answer for the food; he did not need to ask Philip the question, "Where we will we get food?" He does this to test Philip, and Philip fails the test. Philip gets a second chance:
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" -John 14:8-9
And yet again Philip fails. As humans we are always seeking for facts. We must step outside the box and ask the spiritual questions. The most important part about this first section is that after Jesus does the miracle, the people among the crowd said, "Surely this is the prophet who is coming to the world." That part is so important because that is the recognition and acknowledgment that God is King. Through the supernatural powers, people of the crowd finally realize that Jesus is Messiah. Unfortunately, we are not able to see Jesus do his amazing works but every day is a miracle because we are living and we sin but yet we are forgiven. We don't need to see the miracles of Jesus - him giving his life for us was enough.
(v.16-24)
The 2nd part of John 6 is "Jesus Walks on the Water". The version that is inscribed in the gospel of John is not as detailed as we see in the other gospels. Also notice the omission of Peter walking on water. Later in the section we see Jesus disappears. This is an important factor for the next section!
(v.25-59)
The 3rd section is very critical. It answers many questions that were asked during Jesus's ministry. We start off with the people finding Jesus on the other side of the lake. They ask a question, "When did you get here, Rabbi?" Jesus answers this very elaborately. First he says that the crowd seeks him for another meal. He says meal because it is a temporary item that will be digested. He instead offers the crowd something else - "the Bread of Life" which will cease hunger (spiritual) for everlasting life. He also does an important thing when he says,
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal. -John 6:27He says this to establish his ethos or his credibility. He says, "I will give you this bread, because I am Jesus, the Son of God, your Savior." This is a new concept for the crowd because they are used to seeing miracles but now they are forced to believe in a imaginary bread of life. With the current confusion they ask, "How can we receive this bread?" And Jesus answers, "Believe in the One that was sent." In his ministry it was common to see Jesus answer questions indirectly. But now He answers them as direct as possible. He continues on in this section on how to receive forgiveness, atonement, and more.
(v.60-71)
The 4th part is also a continuation of before. The disciples are baffled by what Jesus has previously preached. They confront Jesus and basically tell him how ridiculous his teachings are and who could accept it. This is where Jesus, again, tells his disciples his identity. And afterwards some disciples depart. The gospel doesn't say why they leave. But one could figure that it might be out of anger and frustration. Then Jesus ends this discussion with a strong statement:
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil!" -John 6:70He foreshadows his death and that one of his disciples will betray him.
- Sam Saji
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