John 6:54
Verse
Context
Jesus the Bread of Life
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.55For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
Sermons
Mariano Di Gangi
T. Austin-Sparks
John Hames
Thomas Watson
George FoxSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Hath eternal life - This can never be understood of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. 1. Because this was not instituted till a year after; at the last Passover. 2. It cannot be said that those who do not receive that sacrament must perish everlastingly. 3. Nor can it be supposed that all those who do receive it are necessarily and eternally saved. On the contrary, St. Paul intimates that many who received it at Corinth perished, because they received it unworthily, not discerning the Lord's body: not distinguishing between it and a common meal; and not properly considering that sacrifice for sin, of which the sacrament of the Lord's super was a type: see Co1 11:30.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Whoso eateth . . . hath, &c.--The former verse said that unless they partook of Him they had no life; this adds, that whoever does so "hath eternal life." and I will raise him up at the last day--For the fourth time this is repeated (see Joh 6:39-40, Joh 6:44) --showing most clearly that the "eternal life" which such a man "hath" cannot be the same with the future resurrection life from which it is carefully distinguished each time, but a life communicated here below immediately on believing (Joh 3:36; Joh 5:24-25); and giving to the resurrection of the body as that which consummates the redemption of the entire man, a prominence which in the current theology, it is to be feared, it has seldom had. (See Rom 8:23; 1Co. 15:1-58, throughout).
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,.... In the sense above given; See Gill on Joh 6:53; dwelleth in me, and I in him. There is a mutual indwelling of Christ, and believers; Christ is the habitation, or dwelling place of his people: there is a secret dwelling in Christ; so the elect of God dwelt in the heart, and in the hands, and arms of Christ from everlasting; and as members in their head in election grace; and representatively in him, as the Mediator of the covenant; and they secretly and safely dwelt in him, when all mankind fell in Adam; and when he was on the cross, in the grave, and now he is in heaven; all which is owing to his own love, his Father's gift, and to secret union to him. But there is an open dwelling in him in time, which is here meant: God's elect, as in their natural state, are without Christ, and lie open to the law and justice of God; the Spirit of God convinces them of this state, and directs them to flee to Christ, as a city of refuge; when they find him a stronghold, a place of defence, and a proper dwelling for them, where they resolve to abide, and do abide; and where they dwell safely, peaceably, comfortably, and pleasantly; and from which dwelling place they will never be turned out. Likewise, the saints are the habitation or dwelling place of Christ; he dwells not in their heads and to tongues, but in their hearts, and by faith; which is here expressed, by eating his flesh, and drinking his blood; and which, though it is not the cause of Christ's dwelling here, yet is the means or instrument by which men receive him into their hearts, and retain him, and have communion with him; for he dwells in believers, not in such sense as he dwells in the world, by his omnipresence, and power; or in the human nature, by hypostatical union to it; but by his Spirit, and by faith, which is an instance of wonderful condescending grace, and is owing to union to him, and is expressive of communion with him, and is what will continue for ever.
John 6:54
Jesus the Bread of Life
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.55For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Bread of Heaven
By Mariano Di Gangi1429:56Faith in ChristSpiritual NourishmentJesusEXO 16:4MAT 4:4JHN 3:16JHN 6:12JHN 6:27JHN 6:35JHN 6:40JHN 6:51JHN 6:54ROM 8:32Mariano Di Gangi preaches on 'The Bread of Heaven,' emphasizing that Jesus is essential for spiritual nourishment, likening Him to bread that sustains life. He recounts the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, illustrating how Jesus provides not just physical sustenance but also the deeper spiritual nourishment that humanity craves. Di Gangi explains that while people often seek material blessings, true fulfillment comes from recognizing Jesus as the bread of life, the bread of God, and the bread of heaven. He stresses the importance of faith in receiving this nourishment, urging believers to come to Christ and partake in His life-giving essence. The sermon concludes with a call to embrace Jesus fully, as He alone satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart.
A Special Vocation
By T. Austin-Sparks0The Role of the Holy SpiritSpiritual MaturityEXO 32:26MAL 2:7MAT 10:39LUK 9:62JHN 6:54ROM 8:2ROM 12:1HEB 4:121PE 2:51PE 2:9T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the special vocation of God's people, illustrating the distinctions within the community of faith through the example of Israel's structure around the tabernacle. He explains that while all believers share in the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, there exists a deeper, more subjective experience of faith that characterizes a smaller group, akin to the Levites in Israel. This inward experience is marked by a personal relationship with God, facilitated by the Cross, the Blood, and the Spirit, which leads to spiritual maturity and effective ministry. Sparks warns against the dangers of merely objective faith, urging believers to seek a transformative relationship with Christ that goes beyond surface-level understanding. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper commitment to spiritual growth and the active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
The Blood of Sprinkling
By John Hames0EXO 24:8LEV 17:11EZK 36:26JHN 6:54HEB 9:14HEB 10:22HEB 12:241PE 1:21JN 1:7REV 1:5John Hames preaches on the powerful contrasts highlighted in Hebrews 12:24, focusing on the Pentecost at Mount Sinai versus the Pentecost at Mount Zion where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and manifested Christian graces free from admixture. He delves into the contrast between the two covenants, emphasizing the new covenant's promise of God writing His law on believers' hearts, enabling them to walk in holiness. Hames also explores the significance of the blood of Jesus, explaining how it speaks of mercy and forgiveness, imparting Divine life to believers and cleansing them from sins and shortcomings.
The Spiritual Vine
By Thomas Watson0ISA 54:10JHN 6:54JHN 15:1ROM 5:92CO 6:10EPH 1:6COL 3:3HEB 5:141PE 1:5Thomas Watson preaches about Jesus Christ as the spiritual vine, using various metaphors to illustrate His beauty, fullness, and virtues. Believers are compared to branches of the vine, receiving grace, promises, and virtues from Christ. Those who are not united with Christ miss out on His fullness and face the consequences of living and dying in sin. Watson emphasizes the importance of being real branches of the spiritual Vine, highlighting faith as the engrafting grace and the vital and sanctifying influences received from Christ. He encourages believers to find comfort in being part of the true Vine, assuring them of God's love, protection, and eternal life.
Epistle 104
By George Fox0JHN 1:13JHN 6:54ROM 6:4GAL 3:16EPH 4:242TI 2:21HEB 7:16JAS 4:11JN 5:9REV 6:16George Fox preaches about the importance of dwelling in the power of God, which tames unruly spirits and brings wisdom to order one's life to the glory of the Lord. By living in God's power, one experiences His dread, fear, and majesty, leading to cleansing, regeneration, and sanctification. This power enables believers to live in truth, newness of life, and love and unity with others, ultimately knowing the kingdom of the Most High.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Hath eternal life - This can never be understood of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. 1. Because this was not instituted till a year after; at the last Passover. 2. It cannot be said that those who do not receive that sacrament must perish everlastingly. 3. Nor can it be supposed that all those who do receive it are necessarily and eternally saved. On the contrary, St. Paul intimates that many who received it at Corinth perished, because they received it unworthily, not discerning the Lord's body: not distinguishing between it and a common meal; and not properly considering that sacrifice for sin, of which the sacrament of the Lord's super was a type: see Co1 11:30.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Whoso eateth . . . hath, &c.--The former verse said that unless they partook of Him they had no life; this adds, that whoever does so "hath eternal life." and I will raise him up at the last day--For the fourth time this is repeated (see Joh 6:39-40, Joh 6:44) --showing most clearly that the "eternal life" which such a man "hath" cannot be the same with the future resurrection life from which it is carefully distinguished each time, but a life communicated here below immediately on believing (Joh 3:36; Joh 5:24-25); and giving to the resurrection of the body as that which consummates the redemption of the entire man, a prominence which in the current theology, it is to be feared, it has seldom had. (See Rom 8:23; 1Co. 15:1-58, throughout).
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,.... In the sense above given; See Gill on Joh 6:53; dwelleth in me, and I in him. There is a mutual indwelling of Christ, and believers; Christ is the habitation, or dwelling place of his people: there is a secret dwelling in Christ; so the elect of God dwelt in the heart, and in the hands, and arms of Christ from everlasting; and as members in their head in election grace; and representatively in him, as the Mediator of the covenant; and they secretly and safely dwelt in him, when all mankind fell in Adam; and when he was on the cross, in the grave, and now he is in heaven; all which is owing to his own love, his Father's gift, and to secret union to him. But there is an open dwelling in him in time, which is here meant: God's elect, as in their natural state, are without Christ, and lie open to the law and justice of God; the Spirit of God convinces them of this state, and directs them to flee to Christ, as a city of refuge; when they find him a stronghold, a place of defence, and a proper dwelling for them, where they resolve to abide, and do abide; and where they dwell safely, peaceably, comfortably, and pleasantly; and from which dwelling place they will never be turned out. Likewise, the saints are the habitation or dwelling place of Christ; he dwells not in their heads and to tongues, but in their hearts, and by faith; which is here expressed, by eating his flesh, and drinking his blood; and which, though it is not the cause of Christ's dwelling here, yet is the means or instrument by which men receive him into their hearts, and retain him, and have communion with him; for he dwells in believers, not in such sense as he dwells in the world, by his omnipresence, and power; or in the human nature, by hypostatical union to it; but by his Spirit, and by faith, which is an instance of wonderful condescending grace, and is owing to union to him, and is expressive of communion with him, and is what will continue for ever.