John 6:5

Authorized King James Version

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἐπάρας
G1869
lifted up
to raise up (literally or figuratively)
#2
οὖν
G3767
then
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
When Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#5
τοὺς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ὀφθαλμοὺς
G3788
his eyes
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
#7
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
θεασάμενος
G2300
saw
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
#9
ὅτι
G3754
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#10
πολὺς
G4183
a great
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#11
ὄχλος
G3793
company
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
#12
ἔρχεται
G2064
come
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#13
πρὸς
G4314
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#14
αὐτὸν
G846
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
#15
λέγει
G3004
he saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#16
πρὸς
G4314
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#17
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
Φίλιππον
G5376
Philip
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
#19
Πόθεν
G4159
Whence
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
#20
ἀγοράσομεν
G59
shall we buy
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
#21
ἄρτους
G740
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#22
ἵνα
G2443
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#23
φάγωσιν
G5315
may eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#24
οὗτοι
G3778
these
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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