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Book of John - Chapter 6 - Verse 58

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.

Meaning

In this verse, Jesus is referring to himself as the bread of life that came down from heaven. He contrasts himself with the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness, which sustained them physically but did not offer eternal life. Jesus is offering a spiritual sustenance that goes beyond physical nourishment. By partaking in him, believers receive eternal life. This statement by Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment and the eternal significance of believing in him. Just as bread is essential for sustaining physical life, Jesus is essential for sustaining spiritual life. He is the source of everlasting life, and those who partake in him through faith will experience eternal life. This verse underscores the central message of Christianity, which is the belief in Jesus as the bread of life and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in him.

Theological Overview

In this verse, Jesus is drawing a comparison between the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness and the bread of life that He offers. The manna sustained the Israelites physically, but they eventually died. However, Jesus is pointing out that the bread that He provides is not just physical nourishment; it is spiritual sustenance that leads to eternal life. By partaking of this bread, which represents His teachings, His sacrifice, and ultimately His presence in our lives, we can experience eternal life. This verse speaks to the deeper truth that Jesus is the source of true life, both now and forever. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment and highlights the contrast between temporal satisfaction and eternal fulfillment. Through theological interpretation and word studies, we can better understand the profound significance of Jesus as the bread from heaven that leads to everlasting life.

American Standard Version

This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
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