John 6:32
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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 31
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
6 of 31
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
7 of 31
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
11 of 31
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
δίδωσιν
gave
G1325
δίδωσιν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
12 of 31
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
18 of 31
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
21 of 31
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
δίδωσιν
gave
G1325
δίδωσιν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
23 of 31
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
27 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
29 of 31
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
Cross References
Exodus 16:4Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.John 6:58This 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.John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Historical Context
Jesus' distinction between Moses as mediator and God as provider counters their Moses-veneration. His emphasis on 'my Father' claims unique relationship with the divine Provider, and 'true bread' indicates manna was shadow, not substance.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes credit human mediators rather than God for His provisions?
- What makes Christ 'true bread' in contrast to manna or other types and shadows?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus corrects their theology: 'Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.' This correction emphasizes that God, not Moses, provided manna, and that manna was merely typical, not ultimate. The present tense 'giveth' indicates current provision of something superior—Christ Himself as the true bread.