The feeding of the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish, followed by the walking on water, establishes the context for Jesus' Bread of Life discourse delivered in the Capernaum synagogue. Jesus identifies Himself as the bread from heaven superior to Moses' manna, declaring that He gives His flesh for the world's life and that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood have eternal life and will be raised on the last day. Many disciples find this teaching hard and leave, but Peter confesses on behalf of the Twelve that Jesus has the words of eternal life and is the Holy One of God, though Jesus notes that one of them is a devil.
Read John Chapter 6 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Jesus Christ
The eternal Word and Son of God
John
Beloved disciple and eyewitness author
Nicodemus
Pharisee who came to Jesus by night
Philip
Apostle from Bethsaida
Andrew
Brother of Peter
Peter
Apostle, Rock of the Church
Moses
Prophet and Lawgiver
Joseph of Arimathea
The One Who Buried Jesus
Judas Iscariot
The Betrayer of Jesus
Places in This Chapter
Sea of Galilee
View on MapThe Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias or Lake Gennesaret, is a freshwater lake in Israel where much of Jesus' ministry took place. Jesus called his first disciples, fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John, from its shores. He performed many miracles here including walking on water, calming a storm, and the miraculous catch of fish. The Sermon on the Mount was delivered on a hillside overlooking this lake.
Capernaum
View on MapCapernaum was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee that became the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry. Jesus called it "his own city" and performed many miracles there, including healing Peter's mother-in-law and the centurion's servant. The ruins of a synagogue where Jesus taught can still be seen today.
The Wilderness
View on MapThe wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
Position in Book
PrologueChapters 1:1-18
The Word became flesh, dwelling among us.
Book of SignsChapters 1:19-12:50
Seven miraculous signs revealing Jesus' glory.
Book of GloryChapters 13-17
Passion NarrativeChapters 18-19
ResurrectionChapters 20-21