John 6:51

Authorized King James Version

I 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἐγώ
G1473
I
i, me
#2
εἰμι
G1510
am
i exist (used only when emphatic)
#3
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
ἄρτος
G740
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#5
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ζήσεται
G2198
he shall live
to live (literally or figuratively)
#7
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ἐκ
G1537
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#9
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
οὐρανοῦ
G3772
heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#11
καταβάς·
G2597
came down
to descend (literally or figuratively)
#12
ἐάν
G1437
if
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
#13
τις
G5100
any man
some or any person or object
#14
φάγῃ
G5315
eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#15
ἐκ
G1537
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#16
τούτου
G5127
this
of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)
#17
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
ἄρτος
G740
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#19
ζήσεται
G2198
he shall live
to live (literally or figuratively)
#20
εἰς
G1519
for
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#21
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
αἰῶνα
G165
ever
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
#23
καὶ
G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#24
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
ἄρτος
G740
bread
bread (as raised) or a loaf
#26
δὲ
G1161
and
but, and, etc
#27
ἣν
G3739
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#28
ἐγώ
G1473
I
i, me
#29
δώσω,
G1325
will give
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#30
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
σάρξ
G4561
flesh
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
#32
μού
G3450
my
of me
#33
ἐστιν
G2076
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#34
ἣν
G3739
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#35
ἐγώ
G1473
I
i, me
#36
δώσω,
G1325
will give
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#37
ὑπὲρ
G5228
for
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
#38
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#39
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#40
κόσμου
G2889
of the world
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
#41
ζωῆς
G2222
the life
life (literally or figuratively)

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 life 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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