John 6

The chapter

John 6 is the longest single chapter in the fourth Gospel and one of the most extended teaching passages in the New Testament. It contains three great events on and near the Sea of Galilee: the feeding of the five thousand (vv. 1-14), Christ walking on the water (vv. 15-21), and the Bread of Life discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum (vv. 22-71).

Who wrote it

The Gospel of John was written by John the son of Zebedee — the beloved disciple — late in the first century, traditionally at Ephesus.

Historical and geographical context

Set c. AD 29, at the height of the Galilean ministry, on and near the Sea of Galilee. The chapter opens near the sea at Passover season (v. 4). The discourse takes place 'in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum' (John 6:59).

Important verses

• John 6:9 (KJV) 'There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?'
• John 6:20 (KJV) 'It is I; be not afraid.'
• John 6:35 (KJV) 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.'
• John 6:37 (KJV) '…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'
• John 6:53 (KJV) 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.'
• John 6:66 (KJV) 'From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.'
• John 6:68 (KJV) 'Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'

Christ-centred reading

John 6 is the fourth Gospel's clearest Eucharistic chapter. Christ says of Himself six times that He is 'the bread' — from heaven, of life, of God. The chapter ends with the first great Christian defection ('many of his disciples went back') and the first great Christian confession from Peter: 'Lord, to whom shall we go?'

In Christian tradition

• Read at every Christian catechesis on the Eucharist since the earliest Fathers.
• The 'Panis Angelicus' (Bread of Angels) hymn tradition draws on John 6:31-58.
• Peter's confession at John 6:68 is one of the two great Petrine confessions (with Matthew 16:16).
• Byzantine and Latin liturgies both use John 6 in Eucharistic prefaces.

Connected People

• Christ Jesus — the Bread of Life.
• Peter — the great confession of vv. 68-69.
• The lad with the five loaves and two fishes.
• The twelve apostles.

Connected Places

• Sea of Galilee — the setting of the feeding and the walking.
• Capernaum — the synagogue of the discourse.
• Tabgha — traditional site of the multiplication of loaves.

Household application

Read John 6 aloud at every household Communion preparation. It teaches the little ones what the bread they will receive at church means.

On the Sunday of the multiplication of loaves, bless bread at the family table with Peter's words: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'

Room connections

Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.

• Read (Library) — Read John 6 straight through on a Sunday.
• Pray (Chapel) — Pray John 6:68 before every Communion.
• Family (Kitchen Table) — Bless bread at the family table with John 6.
• Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'Panis Angelicus' (Thomas Aquinas, thirteenth century).
• Learn (Workshop) — Study the six 'I am the bread' sayings of John 6.

Further reading

John 6 in the KJV.

Augustine, Homilies on the Gospel of John, tractates 24-27.

Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John, Book IV.

Elsewhere in the Atlas

• Christ Jesus
• Peter
• Sea of Galilee
• Capernaum
• John 1
• Return to the atrium — the Atlas's main room.