John 6:32

Authorized King James Version

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
εἶπεν
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
οὖν
Then
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
αὐτοῖς
unto them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#4
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#6
ἀμὴν
Verily
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
#7
ἀμὴν
Verily
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
#8
λέγω
I say
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#9
ὑμῖν
unto you
to (with or by) you
#10
οὐ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#11
Μωσῆς
Moses
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
#12
δίδωσιν
gave
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#13
ὑμῖν
unto you
to (with or by) you
#14
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
ἄρτον
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#16
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#17
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#19
ἀλλ'
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
πατήρ
Father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#22
μου
my
of me
#23
δίδωσιν
gave
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#24
ὑμῖν
unto you
to (with or by) you
#25
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#26
ἄρτον
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#27
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#28
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#30
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
ἀληθινόν·
the true
truthful

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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