John 6:48
I am that bread of life.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.John 6:41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Historical Context
Jewish listeners would immediately connect this to Exodus 16 and God's provision of manna. Jesus claims superiority to Moses' miracle, which many Jews believed the Messiah would repeat. The synagogue in Capernaum (v. 59) has been excavated, possibly the setting for this discourse.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you 'feed' on Christ daily as your spiritual sustenance?
- What does it mean that Christ is THE bread, not merely A bread, of life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Christ repeats and reinforces 'I am that bread of life' for emphasis, developing the contrast with wilderness manna. This claim—to be the bread that gives eternal life—is either blasphemy or truth. The exclusive article 'that' indicates Christ alone satisfies spiritual need. This statement anticipates the Last Supper and develops John's incarnational theology: the Word made flesh becomes spiritual sustenance for believers.