John 6:53
Verse
Context
Jesus the Bread of Life
52At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you.54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Sermons



Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man - Unless ye be made partakers of the blessings about to be purchased by my blood, passion, and violent death, ye cannot be saved. As a man must eat bread and flesh, in order to be nourished by them, so a man must receive the grace and Spirit of Christ, in order to his salvation. As food in a rich man's store does not nourish the poor man that needs it, unless it be given him, and he receive it into his stomach, so the whole fountain of mercy existing in the bosom of God, and uncommunicated, does not save a soul: he who is saved by it must be made a partaker of it. Our Lord's meaning appears to be, that, unless they were made partakers of the grace of that atonement which he was about to make by his death, they could not possibly be saved. Bishop Pearce justly observes that the ideas of eating and drinking are here borrowed to express partaking of, and sharing in. Thus spiritual happiness on earth, and even in heaven, is expressed by eating and drinking; instances of which may be seen, Mat 8:11; Mat 26:29; Luk 14:15; Luk 22:30; and Rev 2:17. Those who were made partakers of the Holy Spirit are said by St. Paul, Co1 12:13, to be made to drink into (or of) one Spirit. This, indeed, was a very common mode of expression among the Jews.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except ye eat the flesh . . . and drink the blood . . . no life, &c.--The harshest word He had yet uttered in their ears. They asked how it was possible to eat His flesh. He answers, with great solemnity, "It is indispensable." Yet even here a thoughtful hearer might find something to temper the harshness. He says they must not only "eat His flesh" but "drink His blood," which could not but suggest the idea of His death--implied in the separation of one's flesh from his blood. And as He had already hinted that it was to be something very different from a natural death, saying, "My flesh I will give for the life of the world" (Joh 6:51), it must have been pretty plain to candid hearers that He meant something above the gross idea which the bare terms expressed. And farther, when He added that they "had no life in them unless they thus ate and drank," it was impossible they should think He meant that the temporal life they were then living was dependent on their eating and drinking, in this gross sense, His flesh and blood. Yet the whole statement was certainly confounding, and beyond doubt was meant to be so. Our Lord had told them that in spite of all they had "seen" in Him, they "did not believe" (Joh 6:36). For their conviction therefore he does not here lay Himself out; but having the ear not only of them but of the more candid and thoughtful in the crowded synagogue, and the miracle of the loaves having led up to the most exalted of all views of His Person and Office, He takes advantage of their very difficulties and objections to announce, for all time, those most profound truths which are here expressed, regardless of the disgust of the unteachable, and the prejudices even of the most sincere, which His language would seem only designed to deepen. The truth really conveyed here is no other than that expressed in Joh 6:51, though in more emphatic terms--that He Himself, in the virtue of His sacrificial death, is the spiritual and eternal life of men; and that unless men voluntarily appropriate to themselves this death, in its sacrificial virtue, so as to become the very life and nourishment of their inner man, they have no spiritual and eternal life at all. Not as if His death were the only thing of value, but it is what gives all else in Christ's Incarnate Person, Life, and Office, their whole value to us sinners.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For my flesh is meat indeed,.... Not in a corporeal, but in a spiritual sense; and the same is said of his blood: and my blood is drink indeed, &c. that is, they are both "truly" meat and drink, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions render it; or are "true" meat and drink, as the Arabic version: in opposition to what was typical meat and drink; as the manna in the wilderness, the water out of the rock, the flesh and wine at the passover, the meat and drink offerings under the law, or any other meats and drinks under that dispensation; and which, though not when Christ said these words, yet now are abolished, being unprofitable, and not to be fed upon. Moreover, these phrases may denote the reality, substance, and solidity of that spiritual food believers have in Christ, in opposition to the imaginary food of sensual sinners, who feed on ashes and bread of deceit; and to that of self-righteous persons, who spend their labour and money for, and live upon that which is not bread, even upon their works of righteousness; and to the superficial tastes of hypocrites and formal professors; and to the charge of enthusiasm; and even to the outward elements of bread, and wine, in the Lord's supper, since instituted; and as it may be attended upon by persons destitute of the grace of God. And these words may also be expressive of the virtue, efficacy, and excellency of this food, it being soul quickening, nourishing, strengthening, satisfying, and delightful food, as well as spiritual and savoury; not to carnal persons, or outward professors, but to new born babes, and true believers; and which, by them, may be had, and to the full, and that in due season, even every day, and is what will abide for ever.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:53-58 eat the flesh . . . drink his blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52). His words hinted at the Lord’s Supper yet to come (see Luke 22:19). Since “flesh and blood” was a Jewish idiom for the whole person, Jesus might have been calling people to consume him fully by completely believing in him. Some Christian traditions see the bread as Christ’s literal flesh broken for us and the wine as his literal blood poured out for us. Others take the meaning in purely spiritual terms. Either way, receiving communion means no less than embracing Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice.
John 6:53
Jesus the Bread of Life
52At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you.54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(1 Peter - Part 14): Be Ye Holy, for I Am Holy
By A.W. Tozer46K36:01Holy LivingJHN 6:531CO 14:25In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the awe-inspiring presence of God and the importance of holiness in the lives of believers. He emphasizes that God's children should strive for holiness because God himself is holy. The speaker also mentions the mysterious fire that Moses encountered in the burning bush and on the mountain, which instilled fear and reverence in him. He highlights the significance of Moses' life and the sense of awe-inspiring presence that he left behind, surpassing mere intellectual knowledge or eloquent speech.
Mounting Up With Eagles Wings - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill7.7K44:20OvercomingWaiting On GodStrength in GodEXO 19:4DEU 32:11JOB 39:27PSA 37:7PSA 103:5ISA 40:13ISA 40:22ISA 40:29MAT 11:28JHN 6:53Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the power and majesty of God as depicted in Isaiah 40, particularly focusing on the promise that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and soar like eagles. He contrasts the fleeting strength of youth with the enduring power of God, urging believers to embrace patience and trust in God's timing. Ravenhill illustrates how God, like an eagle, provides security and comfort to His people, encouraging them to rise above the challenges of a restless and impatient world. He calls for a deeper understanding of God's majesty and the importance of waiting on Him to experience true renewal and strength.
The Unhindered Gospel
By David Wilkerson2.7K52:19PRO 17:15MAT 4:23JHN 6:53ACT 20:26ACT 23:112CO 6:1HEB 12:14In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the full Gospel, which includes repentance, holiness, and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He highlights the contrast between Jesus' ministry of miracles and provision, and the day when he spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, emphasizing the deeper spiritual meaning behind his words. The preacher also discusses the challenges faced by believers in a world that is turning apostate, and the need for Christians to prioritize the needs of the body of Christ over personal gain. He concludes by highlighting the hindrances to the Gospel, such as false cults, persecution, and opposition, and the example of Paul as a faithful servant of God despite these obstacles.
Being a Disciple of Christ - Part 2 by Dr. k.p. Yohannan, Metropolitan
By K.P. Yohannan2.0K19:52MAT 6:19MAT 19:21LUK 9:23LUK 14:33JHN 6:53ACT 2:442CO 11:27PHP 3:81TI 6:10HEB 13:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving up material comforts, wealth, and ease in order to truly follow Jesus. It contrasts the superficial teachings of prosperity preachers with the sacrificial lifestyle of Jesus, Paul, and early Christians. The speaker challenges listeners to embrace simplicity, sacrifice, and a deeper commitment to Christ, highlighting the need to prioritize spiritual values over worldly possessions.
Mounting With Wings
By Leonard Ravenhill2.0K58:14Waiting On GodStrength in AdversityFreedomEXO 19:4DEU 32:11JOB 39:27PSA 37:7PSA 103:5ISA 40:29MAT 11:28JHN 6:53EPH 2:6REV 4:1Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the power of waiting on the Lord, drawing from Isaiah 40:29-31, where God promises to renew the strength of those who trust in Him. He contrasts the majestic eagle, which soars high above the earth, with the impatience of modern society, urging believers to rise above their circumstances and live in the heavenly places God has prepared for them. Ravenhill illustrates how God, like an eagle, nurtures and strengthens His people, encouraging them to embrace their identity as children of God and to seek His presence for renewal and strength.
Shocking Sins of Sodom and the American Church (Clip)
By Steve Hill1.9K05:55LEV 18:222CH 7:14PRO 16:18EZK 16:49MAT 5:3LUK 14:26JHN 6:531JN 2:15This sermon addresses the sins of pride, indulgence, neglect of the poor, and abominations committed before God, drawing parallels between the behaviors of Sodom and Gomorrah and the current state of America. The speaker highlights the moral decay and abominable acts witnessed in society, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to God's ways.
(New Covenant) 2. the Mark of the New Covenant
By Miki Hardy1.7K1:03:37New CovenantLUK 22:20JHN 6:53ROM 10:13HEB 1:3HEB 9:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taking up one's cross and allowing God to work in their lives. The central message is that the law of love is the only law that matters in the Christian world. The preacher emphasizes the need to serve God and His people, giving one's life for others and for those who are suffering. The sermon also highlights the significance of suffering in the flesh, as it leads to the cessation of sin. The preacher encourages the audience to arm themselves with the same mindset as Christ, who suffered for humanity.
Growing in the Grace of God #07 - the Holy Spirit Covenant Part 1
By Bob Hoekstra1.6K53:45MAT 6:33JHN 6:53JHN 6:63ROM 8:9GAL 3:2GAL 6:18EPH 2:8In this sermon transcript, Pastor Chuck emphasizes the importance of focusing on the grace of God through Jesus rather than the law of Moses. He states that the Galatians' greatest need was to understand and walk in the power of the Spirit instead of relying on their own efforts. Pastor Chuck shares a personal story about ministering to a wayward husband and being deeply affected by the man's loss and brokenness. He also highlights the need for humility and recognition of our own shortcomings, as no one is exempt from the list of sins mentioned in the Bible. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the need to rely on His Spirit rather than our own efforts.
Your Conscience, the Cross, True Faith, False Religion
By David Cooper1.5K1:13:54ConscienceMAT 7:13JHN 3:20JHN 6:47JHN 6:53JHN 14:6ACT 4:122CO 3:5In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the profound significance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the hill of Calvary. The preacher emphasizes the selfless love and grace of God, as He willingly dies for the sins of mankind. The sermon describes the scene of Jesus being nailed to the cross and the immense love that compelled Him to bleed and die for humanity. The preacher also shares a personal experience of encountering the crucified Christ and being convicted of his own guilt, leading to repentance and a realization of the forgiveness offered through Jesus' sacrifice.
Born, Yet Not Begotten
By Major Ian Thomas1.4K1:10:30SalvationTransformation in ChristDivine LifeJHN 6:53JHN 7:38JHN 14:19ACT 13:30ROM 1:4ROM 10:4EPH 2:1COL 1:18HEB 5:82PE 1:4Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the profound truth that Jesus Christ is not only our Redeemer but also our life, highlighting the necessity of being born again to receive divine life through the Holy Spirit. He explains that while Jesus lived a sinless life, it was His death and resurrection that allowed believers to partake in that same life, transforming them from mere existence to true spiritual vitality. Thomas stresses that being a Christian involves a continuous process of faith and dependence on Christ, leading to a life that reflects His character and power. He warns against living a nominal Christian life, which lacks the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and encourages believers to allow Christ's life to manifest through them. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper understanding of what it means to be both born and begotten in Christ, urging believers to live out their faith in a way that is only explicable through Jesus.
Epistle to the Ephesians
By Ignatius of Antioch1.3K17:48Audio BooksJHN 6:53EPH 2:14COL 1:151TH 5:171TI 4:13JAS 2:181PE 4:8The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of running in harmony with the mind of God and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to strive for peace and unity, as faith and love are the foundation of a noble life. The transcript also highlights the significance of actions over mere profession of faith, as one's true character is revealed through their deeds. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for frequent gatherings for thanksgiving and worship, as well as the importance of being in unity with the bishop and the church.
(The Sermon on the Mount and Prayer - Session 1) - Part 8
By Gerhard Du Toit1.2K04:49PrayerJHN 5:25JHN 6:44JHN 6:53JHN 6:68JHN 16:7In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of Albania, a country that suffered under a brutal communist dictatorship for 51 years and was one of the poorest nations in the world. Missionaries from Switzerland went to Greece and threw gospel tracts sealed in bottles into the Adriatic Sea, which eventually washed up on the beaches of Albania. Through this unique method, around 50 people were converted to Christianity. The speaker also mentions a recent gathering of 450 pastors and missionaries in Albania where the Spirit of God moved powerfully, leading to a time of weeping and prayer.
Captured and Never Free
By Stephen Kaung1.2K52:29JHN 6:5JHN 6:37JHN 6:44JHN 6:53JHN 6:60In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Simon Peter and the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Simon Peter initially doubted his ability to follow Jesus and went back to his old profession of fishing. However, when he caught nothing, he realized his need for Jesus. The feeding of the 5,000 occurred in a desert place where many people had followed Jesus. The disciples were concerned about how to feed the crowd, but Jesus performed a miracle with just five barley loaves and two small fishes, feeding everyone and even having leftovers. The preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision and focusing on eternal things rather than temporary needs.
What Is True Greatness
By Leonard Martin1.1K1:03:53GreatnessJHN 6:53In this sermon, the speaker begins by addressing the concern of retaining and remembering the messages heard during the week. He shares a story about a letter published in a British weekly paper, where the writer expressed their inability to remember any of the 3,000 sermons they had heard in 30 years of attending church. The speaker then suggests that ministers may need to consider if their time could be better spent on something else. The sermon also references a parable in Matthew 20 about a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard.
Are You Following Jesus or Admiring Him?
By Zac Poonen1.0K49:35MRK 7:6JHN 6:53JHN 14:61CO 10:132TI 3:12HEB 4:15HEB 6:20JAS 2:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of not just admiring Jesus, but also following Him. It discusses the need for balance in our Christian life, transitioning from admiration and praise to actively walking in His footsteps. The sermon highlights the challenges of following Jesus, including persecution, standing against unrighteousness, and choosing the narrow path of the cross. It encourages believers to live a life of gratitude, service, and godliness, even if it leads to being unpopular or facing opposition.
Church History - the Early Reformers Part 2 (Hus & Erasmus)
By David Guzik70733:34JHN 6:53In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of the Crusades on European people and their encounters with ancient cultures. They highlight how seeing statues and sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome during their travels made a profound impression on them. The speaker then shifts to discussing the influence of cartoons on a man named John Hus. These cartoons depicted Jesus wearing a crown of thorns and the pope adorned in luxurious attire, selling indulgences for the forgiveness of sins. This stark contrast between Jesus' freely given forgiveness and the pope's commercialized approach had a significant impact on John Hus.
Being a Disciple of Christ
By K.P. Yohannan69319:52DiscipleshipJHN 6:53In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving up comforts and material possessions in order to understand the life of God. He criticizes those who give offerings out of a sense of obligation or to pacify their conscience, highlighting the need for genuine sacrifice. The preacher also criticizes American charismatic preachers who live in immorality while preaching to people around the world, causing damage to the church. He references the story of the rich young man in the Bible, where Jesus instructs him to sell everything and give to the poor in order to be His disciple.
The Cry for Revival
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0Spiritual RenewalRevivalPSA 85:6ISA 32:15ISA 44:3JER 17:5EZK 34:26MRK 6:14JHN 6:53ROM 8:1JAS 4:81PE 5:10Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the urgent need for revival among God's people, particularly during times of spiritual dryness and backsliding. He highlights that true revival is a divine act, necessary for believers who have lost their fervor and communion with God, and that it brings joy and renewed life to the soul. M'Cheyne calls on ministers and believers alike to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, reminding them that only God can revive their hearts and restore their passion for Christ. He warns of the dangers of complacency and the need for a heartfelt cry for revival, urging all to plead for God's mercy and grace. Ultimately, M'Cheyne assures that revival leads to joy in the Lord, the awakening of the lost, and glorifies God.
What the Scriptures Teach About the Blood
By Andrew Murray0The Power of the BloodRedemptionMAT 26:28JHN 6:53ROM 3:25EPH 1:7HEB 9:71PE 1:19REV 5:9REV 12:11Andrew Murray emphasizes the centrality of the blood of Jesus in Scripture, illustrating its significance from the Old Testament through the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, culminating in the Book of Revelation. He highlights that the blood is essential for redemption, forgiveness, and fellowship with God, asserting that there is no access to God without it. Murray explains that the blood signifies life and sacrifice, and it is through the blood that believers are cleansed and made righteous. He encourages believers to recognize the power of the blood in their lives and to trust in Jesus to reveal its full significance. Ultimately, the blood of Christ is portrayed as the foundation of God's relationship with humanity, from creation to redemption.
1 Peter 2:3
By John Gill0Spiritual GrowthGrace Of GodPSA 34:8JHN 6:531PE 2:3John Gill emphasizes the significance of experiencing the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, as referenced in 1 Peter 2:3. He explains that true believers, having tasted the goodness of Christ, develop a spiritual appetite for His word and promises, contrasting them with the unregenerate who find no sweetness in spiritual matters. Gill highlights that this taste is not superficial but deeply rooted in a saving faith that leads to a transformative relationship with Christ. He encourages believers to continually seek nourishment from the Gospel, which reveals the glory and grace of Christ, fostering a desire for deeper understanding and growth in faith.
The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ
By Thomas a Kempis0PSA 24:7MAT 11:28JHN 6:531CO 11:27HEB 13:8Thomas a Kempis, in 'The Disciple,' reflects on the profound invitation of Jesus to come to Him, receive His Body, and find rest for our weary souls. He contemplates on the contrast between the great devotion shown by biblical figures like Noah, Moses, and King David in preparing to honor God, and his own shortcomings in preparing for communion. Kempis emphasizes the hidden grace and transformative power of the Sacrament of the altar, calling for a deeper reverence and love for Christ present in the Eucharist.
Questions/answers on the Sacraments of the Church
By James Blaine Chapman0MRK 16:16JHN 6:53ROM 14:221CO 11:30COL 2:12James Blaine Chapman addresses various questions related to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing the importance of understanding the meaning of the sacrament before partaking in it, the consequences of irreverence and carelessness in celebrating it, and debunking the Roman Catholic theory of transubstantiation. He clarifies that drawing spiritual life from Christ is essential, regardless of partaking in the sacrament, and highlights the significance of faith in Christ for salvation and eternal life.
A Difficult Passage
By J.C. Ryle0Faith in ChristSpiritual NourishmentJHN 6:53J.C. Ryle addresses the challenging passage from John 6:53-58, emphasizing that the 'eating and drinking' of Christ's flesh and blood is not a literal act but a metaphor for faith in His atoning sacrifice. He warns against the misinterpretation that equates physical communion with spiritual life, asserting that true life comes from a heartfelt belief in Christ's sacrifice. Ryle highlights the necessity of faith for salvation, the intimate connection it creates with Christ, and the daily need for this faith to nourish the soul. He encourages believers to focus on the spiritual sustenance provided by Christ rather than the physical rituals of religion. Ultimately, Ryle calls for a deeper understanding of faith as a personal and ongoing act essential for eternal life.
(Reformers and Their Stepchildren) Sacramentschwarmer! - Part 1
By Leonard Verduin0MAT 26:26JHN 4:23JHN 6:53ACT 2:47ROM 10:171CO 10:20EPH 2:8COL 2:81TI 2:51PE 3:21Leonard Verduin delves into the clash between the Stepchildren of the Reformation and the Reformers, known as 'Sacramentarians,' highlighting the fundamental difference in conviction regarding the delineation of the Christian Church. The early Church emphasized preaching the Gospel and baptism for salvation, contrasting with the pre-Christian world's lack of religious dialogue. Verduin explores the early Church's belief in responding to God's controverting speech, emphasizing the importance of faith as saying yes to God's yes and no to His no. He discusses the shift towards 'Christian sacralism,' where salvation by sacramental manipulation replaced salvation by the preached Word, leading to the emphasis on acts over personal faith.
John Jewell
By Ian Paisley0PSA 119:105JHN 4:24JHN 6:53JHN 8:311CO 10:161CO 11:30COL 3:162TI 3:16HEB 4:121PE 2:2John Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury, passionately speaks against the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly focusing on the Holy Communion and the Mass. He challenges the congregation to reflect on the discrepancies between the teachings of the Church of Rome and the original instructions of Christ and the apostles. Jewell urges the listeners to search the Scriptures, judge their own actions, and not be swayed by blind traditions or emotions. He emphasizes the importance of partaking in the Lord's Supper with true understanding and reverence, aligning with God's truth and worshiping in spirit and truth.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man - Unless ye be made partakers of the blessings about to be purchased by my blood, passion, and violent death, ye cannot be saved. As a man must eat bread and flesh, in order to be nourished by them, so a man must receive the grace and Spirit of Christ, in order to his salvation. As food in a rich man's store does not nourish the poor man that needs it, unless it be given him, and he receive it into his stomach, so the whole fountain of mercy existing in the bosom of God, and uncommunicated, does not save a soul: he who is saved by it must be made a partaker of it. Our Lord's meaning appears to be, that, unless they were made partakers of the grace of that atonement which he was about to make by his death, they could not possibly be saved. Bishop Pearce justly observes that the ideas of eating and drinking are here borrowed to express partaking of, and sharing in. Thus spiritual happiness on earth, and even in heaven, is expressed by eating and drinking; instances of which may be seen, Mat 8:11; Mat 26:29; Luk 14:15; Luk 22:30; and Rev 2:17. Those who were made partakers of the Holy Spirit are said by St. Paul, Co1 12:13, to be made to drink into (or of) one Spirit. This, indeed, was a very common mode of expression among the Jews.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except ye eat the flesh . . . and drink the blood . . . no life, &c.--The harshest word He had yet uttered in their ears. They asked how it was possible to eat His flesh. He answers, with great solemnity, "It is indispensable." Yet even here a thoughtful hearer might find something to temper the harshness. He says they must not only "eat His flesh" but "drink His blood," which could not but suggest the idea of His death--implied in the separation of one's flesh from his blood. And as He had already hinted that it was to be something very different from a natural death, saying, "My flesh I will give for the life of the world" (Joh 6:51), it must have been pretty plain to candid hearers that He meant something above the gross idea which the bare terms expressed. And farther, when He added that they "had no life in them unless they thus ate and drank," it was impossible they should think He meant that the temporal life they were then living was dependent on their eating and drinking, in this gross sense, His flesh and blood. Yet the whole statement was certainly confounding, and beyond doubt was meant to be so. Our Lord had told them that in spite of all they had "seen" in Him, they "did not believe" (Joh 6:36). For their conviction therefore he does not here lay Himself out; but having the ear not only of them but of the more candid and thoughtful in the crowded synagogue, and the miracle of the loaves having led up to the most exalted of all views of His Person and Office, He takes advantage of their very difficulties and objections to announce, for all time, those most profound truths which are here expressed, regardless of the disgust of the unteachable, and the prejudices even of the most sincere, which His language would seem only designed to deepen. The truth really conveyed here is no other than that expressed in Joh 6:51, though in more emphatic terms--that He Himself, in the virtue of His sacrificial death, is the spiritual and eternal life of men; and that unless men voluntarily appropriate to themselves this death, in its sacrificial virtue, so as to become the very life and nourishment of their inner man, they have no spiritual and eternal life at all. Not as if His death were the only thing of value, but it is what gives all else in Christ's Incarnate Person, Life, and Office, their whole value to us sinners.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For my flesh is meat indeed,.... Not in a corporeal, but in a spiritual sense; and the same is said of his blood: and my blood is drink indeed, &c. that is, they are both "truly" meat and drink, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions render it; or are "true" meat and drink, as the Arabic version: in opposition to what was typical meat and drink; as the manna in the wilderness, the water out of the rock, the flesh and wine at the passover, the meat and drink offerings under the law, or any other meats and drinks under that dispensation; and which, though not when Christ said these words, yet now are abolished, being unprofitable, and not to be fed upon. Moreover, these phrases may denote the reality, substance, and solidity of that spiritual food believers have in Christ, in opposition to the imaginary food of sensual sinners, who feed on ashes and bread of deceit; and to that of self-righteous persons, who spend their labour and money for, and live upon that which is not bread, even upon their works of righteousness; and to the superficial tastes of hypocrites and formal professors; and to the charge of enthusiasm; and even to the outward elements of bread, and wine, in the Lord's supper, since instituted; and as it may be attended upon by persons destitute of the grace of God. And these words may also be expressive of the virtue, efficacy, and excellency of this food, it being soul quickening, nourishing, strengthening, satisfying, and delightful food, as well as spiritual and savoury; not to carnal persons, or outward professors, but to new born babes, and true believers; and which, by them, may be had, and to the full, and that in due season, even every day, and is what will abide for ever.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:53-58 eat the flesh . . . drink his blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52). His words hinted at the Lord’s Supper yet to come (see Luke 22:19). Since “flesh and blood” was a Jewish idiom for the whole person, Jesus might have been calling people to consume him fully by completely believing in him. Some Christian traditions see the bread as Christ’s literal flesh broken for us and the wine as his literal blood poured out for us. Others take the meaning in purely spiritual terms. Either way, receiving communion means no less than embracing Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice.