John 6:26
Verse
Context
Jesus the Bread of Life
25When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”26Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
Sermons
Carter Conlon
Compilations
G.W. North
J.C. Ryle
Thomas Brooks
Anton BoschSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye seek me, not because ye saw, etc. - Though the miracle of the loaves was one of the most astonishing that ever was wrought upon earth; and though this people had, by the testimony of all their senses, the most convincing proof of its reality; yet we find many of them paid little attention to it, and regarded the omnipotent hand of God in it no farther than it went to satisfy the demands of their appetite! Most men are willing to receive temporal good from the hands of God; but there are few, very few, who are willing to receive spiritual blessings.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye seek me, &c.--Jesus does not put them through their difficulty, says nothing of His treading on the waves of the sea, nor even notices their question, but takes advantage of the favorable moment for pointing out to them how forward, flippant, and superficial were their views, and how low their desires. "Ye seek Me not because ye saw the miracles"--literally, "the signs," that is, supernatural tokens of a higher presence, and a divine commission, "but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." From this He proceeds at once to that other Bread, just as, with the woman of Samaria, to that other Water (Joh 4:9-15). We should have supposed all that follows to have been delivered by the wayside, or wherever they happened first to meet. But from Joh 6:59 we gather that they had probably met about the door of the synagogue--"for that was the day in which they assembled in their synagogues" [LIGHTFOOT]--and that on being asked, at the close of the service, if He had any word of exhortation to the people, He had taken the two breads, the perishing and the living bread, for the subject of His profound and extraordinary discourse.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Labour not for the meat which perisheth,.... Meaning either food for the body, which is perishing; its virtue is perishing; man cannot live by it alone, nor does it last long; its substance is perishing; it is received into the stomach, and there digested; it goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught; and that which it supports, for a while, is perishing; and both the one, and the other, shall be destroyed; even meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: now, though it becomes men to work for their bread, to provide it for themselves and families; yet they should not be anxiously solicitous about it, or labour only for that, and prefer it to spiritual food: or else food for the mind is meant, and that either in a sensual way, as sinful lust and pleasures, the honours of this world, and the riches of it; which are sweet morsels, though bread of deceit, to carnal minds, and which they labour hard for: or, in a religious way, as superstition, will worship, external works of righteousness, in order to please God, and obtain eternal life and salvation; which to labour for in such a way, is to spend money for that which is not bread, and labour for that which profiteth not; and in each of these ways were these Jews labouring for perishing food, from which Christ dissuades them: but for that which endureth unto everlasting life; either the grace of Christ, which, as meat, is quickening and refreshing, strengthening and supporting, and which causes nourishment and growth, and by virtue of which work is done; and this springs up unto everlasting life, and is inseparably connected with it; and particularly the blessings of grace, such as sanctification, adoption, pardon, and justification: or the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, which are refreshing, and strengthening, and by which the saints are nourished up unto everlasting life; or rather the flesh of Christ eaten, in a spiritual sense, by faith, of which Christ so largely discourses in the following part of the chapter: which the son of man shall give unto you; meaning either everlasting life, which is in Christ's gift, and is a free grace gift of his; or else the meat which endures unto it: for though it is to be laboured for, not so as to prepare it, or to purchase it, but by asking for it in prayer, and by attending on ordinances, and exercising faith on Christ; yet it is his gift, and he gives it freely; grace, and the blessings of it, are freely given by him, and so are the Gospel and its ordinances; and also his own flesh, which is first given by him, by way of sacrifice, in the room and stead of his people, and for the life of them, Joh 6:51; and then it is given unto them to feed upon spiritually by faith, and which is here designed: for him hath God the Father sealed; designated and appointed to be the Saviour, and Redeemer of his people, and has sent, authorized, and commissioned him as such; and has made him known, and approved of him, by the descent of the Spirit on him, and by a voice from heaven, declaring him his beloved Son; and has confirmed him to be the Messiah by the miraculous works he gave him to finish; for all which several uses seals are, as to distinguish one thing from another, to render anything authentic, to point it out, or to confirm it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:26-59 This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59) shortly before Passover (6:4), when Jews read the account of the exodus from Egypt (see Exod 1–15). 6:26 The crowd, which had concluded that Jesus was a prophet and wanted to take advantage of him politically (see 6:15), failed to see the meaning of the miracle, which Jesus then explained (6:27-59).
John 6:26
Jesus the Bread of Life
25When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”26Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
God Has a Plan for Trouble Times
By Carter Conlon3.2K56:24Dark DaysMAT 5:10MAT 14:25MRK 4:35MRK 6:37MRK 6:52JHN 6:26HEB 13:5In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging God's faithfulness throughout generations and asks for the grace to deliver the message clearly. The sermon is based on Mark chapter 4, which tells the story of a storm. The preacher emphasizes that God has a plan for troubled times. He highlights the importance of recognizing what we have, even if it seems insufficient, and trusting God to multiply it for His purposes. The sermon concludes by encouraging the audience to have faith in God's plan and to not be discouraged by the limitations they may perceive in their own lives.
Take Hold of Eternal Life (Compilation)
By Compilations1.8K09:09CompilationMAT 10:37MAT 28:19MRK 8:34LUK 9:23JHN 6:26ACT 1:8HEB 13:8In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of losing passion for seeking God and following Him. He emphasizes the importance of remembering the early days when there was a fervent pursuit of God through fasting and prayer. The speaker highlights the contrast between seeking entertainment and relaxation versus seeking the kingdom of God and promoting the things of Christ. He also discusses the example of Timothy as a faithful co-worker and urges the listeners to run away from the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Take Hold of Eternal Life (Classic Audio Sermon Compilations)
By Compilations81409:10LUK 14:26JHN 6:261TI 6:10
This sermon emphasizes the importance of true discipleship and following Jesus wholeheartedly. It challenges believers to examine their motives for seeking God, warning against seeking material blessings over a genuine relationship with Christ. The message calls for a return to the passion of early days in seeking God, fasting, and prayer, rather than being distracted by entertainment and worldly pursuits. It highlights the need to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness, urging believers to fight the good fight of faith and prioritize eternal life.
Sanctified, Sealed, Sent
By G.W. North1381:20:09SanctificationJHN 6:26JHN 8:58In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unwavering love of God and how nothing can separate believers from it. He references the apostle Paul and his conviction that nothing, including life, death, or any other obstacle, can separate him from God's love. The preacher also highlights the importance of being sealed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, which brings invulnerability and removes fear. The sermon also touches on the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well and the significance of seeking the bread of God that endures to everlasting life.
Perishable Food
By J.C. Ryle0True FaithSpiritual NourishmentJHN 6:26J.C. Ryle emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance, as illustrated in John 6:26-27. He critiques the shallow motives of those who followed Jesus merely for material gain, highlighting that true faith should be rooted in a desire for everlasting life. Ryle encourages believers to labor for spiritual food that nourishes the soul, rather than being consumed by the temporary satisfaction of bodily needs. He reassures that Jesus, the Son of Man, is willing to provide this eternal sustenance to all who seek it, regardless of their past motives. Ultimately, Ryle calls for honesty in our spiritual pursuits and the necessity of actively engaging in practices that promote our spiritual well-being.
Because You Ate the Loaves
By Thomas Brooks0True BeliefValue of ChristPSA 73:25MAT 6:33JHN 6:26JHN 15:13ROM 8:182CO 5:17EPH 2:8PHP 3:8COL 3:21PE 2:7Thomas Brooks emphasizes that Christ is precious only to those who truly believe, urging Christians to value Him above all earthly duties, privileges, and benefits. He draws a distinction between those who love Christ for His personal qualities and those who seek Him merely for the benefits He provides. Brooks highlights that true believers appreciate Christ for His inherent beauty and glory, rather than for the material or spiritual gains they might receive. He warns that many professing Christians follow Christ primarily for the 'loaves'—the blessings—rather than for a genuine love of His person. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper, more authentic relationship with Christ that transcends mere transactional faith.
The Material Kingdom
By Anton Bosch0MAT 4:1MAT 6:19MAT 16:4JHN 6:26ROM 8:51CO 1:18COL 3:22TI 4:3JAS 4:41JN 2:15Anton Bosch delves into the temptations Jesus faced by the Devil before starting His ministry, emphasizing how Satan targeted areas aligned with Jesus' mission and purpose. The temptations revolved around gratifying fleshly desires, building a kingdom on miracles, and bypassing the Cross for a political kingdom without redemption. Bosch warns against preachers who focus on meeting people's 'felt needs' rather than addressing their real spiritual needs, highlighting the danger of building a following based on materialism and entertainment rather than the transformative power of the Gospel.
The Stroke of God
By John Follette0PSA 39:10ISA 53:4LUK 10:19JHN 6:26JHN 14:111CO 6:20John Wright Follette preaches about the transformative power of being struck dumb by God, emphasizing the blessings that come from surrendering to His will and experiencing the rapture of faith that elevates the soul to heavenly realms. He delves into the concept of God's stroke, focusing on the ultimate stroke of judgment at Calvary and the ongoing work of sanctification in believers. Follette highlights the importance of being blind, deaf, and dumb to the things of the world in order to walk by faith and experience true spiritual growth and victory.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye seek me, not because ye saw, etc. - Though the miracle of the loaves was one of the most astonishing that ever was wrought upon earth; and though this people had, by the testimony of all their senses, the most convincing proof of its reality; yet we find many of them paid little attention to it, and regarded the omnipotent hand of God in it no farther than it went to satisfy the demands of their appetite! Most men are willing to receive temporal good from the hands of God; but there are few, very few, who are willing to receive spiritual blessings.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye seek me, &c.--Jesus does not put them through their difficulty, says nothing of His treading on the waves of the sea, nor even notices their question, but takes advantage of the favorable moment for pointing out to them how forward, flippant, and superficial were their views, and how low their desires. "Ye seek Me not because ye saw the miracles"--literally, "the signs," that is, supernatural tokens of a higher presence, and a divine commission, "but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." From this He proceeds at once to that other Bread, just as, with the woman of Samaria, to that other Water (Joh 4:9-15). We should have supposed all that follows to have been delivered by the wayside, or wherever they happened first to meet. But from Joh 6:59 we gather that they had probably met about the door of the synagogue--"for that was the day in which they assembled in their synagogues" [LIGHTFOOT]--and that on being asked, at the close of the service, if He had any word of exhortation to the people, He had taken the two breads, the perishing and the living bread, for the subject of His profound and extraordinary discourse.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Labour not for the meat which perisheth,.... Meaning either food for the body, which is perishing; its virtue is perishing; man cannot live by it alone, nor does it last long; its substance is perishing; it is received into the stomach, and there digested; it goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught; and that which it supports, for a while, is perishing; and both the one, and the other, shall be destroyed; even meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: now, though it becomes men to work for their bread, to provide it for themselves and families; yet they should not be anxiously solicitous about it, or labour only for that, and prefer it to spiritual food: or else food for the mind is meant, and that either in a sensual way, as sinful lust and pleasures, the honours of this world, and the riches of it; which are sweet morsels, though bread of deceit, to carnal minds, and which they labour hard for: or, in a religious way, as superstition, will worship, external works of righteousness, in order to please God, and obtain eternal life and salvation; which to labour for in such a way, is to spend money for that which is not bread, and labour for that which profiteth not; and in each of these ways were these Jews labouring for perishing food, from which Christ dissuades them: but for that which endureth unto everlasting life; either the grace of Christ, which, as meat, is quickening and refreshing, strengthening and supporting, and which causes nourishment and growth, and by virtue of which work is done; and this springs up unto everlasting life, and is inseparably connected with it; and particularly the blessings of grace, such as sanctification, adoption, pardon, and justification: or the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, which are refreshing, and strengthening, and by which the saints are nourished up unto everlasting life; or rather the flesh of Christ eaten, in a spiritual sense, by faith, of which Christ so largely discourses in the following part of the chapter: which the son of man shall give unto you; meaning either everlasting life, which is in Christ's gift, and is a free grace gift of his; or else the meat which endures unto it: for though it is to be laboured for, not so as to prepare it, or to purchase it, but by asking for it in prayer, and by attending on ordinances, and exercising faith on Christ; yet it is his gift, and he gives it freely; grace, and the blessings of it, are freely given by him, and so are the Gospel and its ordinances; and also his own flesh, which is first given by him, by way of sacrifice, in the room and stead of his people, and for the life of them, Joh 6:51; and then it is given unto them to feed upon spiritually by faith, and which is here designed: for him hath God the Father sealed; designated and appointed to be the Saviour, and Redeemer of his people, and has sent, authorized, and commissioned him as such; and has made him known, and approved of him, by the descent of the Spirit on him, and by a voice from heaven, declaring him his beloved Son; and has confirmed him to be the Messiah by the miraculous works he gave him to finish; for all which several uses seals are, as to distinguish one thing from another, to render anything authentic, to point it out, or to confirm it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:26-59 This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59) shortly before Passover (6:4), when Jews read the account of the exodus from Egypt (see Exod 1–15). 6:26 The crowd, which had concluded that Jesus was a prophet and wanted to take advantage of him politically (see 6:15), failed to see the meaning of the miracle, which Jesus then explained (6:27-59).