In John 6, eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood means receiving Him personally and depending upon His sacrificial life for eternal life. The language is deliberately strong. Jesus calls people beyond interest in the bread He multiplied and toward faith in the Son who will give His flesh for the life of the world.
Christians understand the relationship between this passage and the Lord’s Supper in different ways. Some read the words with a direct sacramental emphasis. Others see the central action as believing, with the meal as a later sign of that participation. The passage clearly joins life with receiving Jesus and remaining in Him.
The saying carries the cross within it. Flesh given and blood received speak of a life offered in death. Jesus becomes the bread of life through the saving gift of Himself.
“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.”
John 6:35, KJV
Readers who want to follow this theme through the whole Gospel can continue with the complete explanation of John (available to our members also).
The Extra Study below follows the Bread of Life discourse from the feeding of the crowd to the departure of many disciples, and gives a fair account of the main Christian readings of the flesh-and-blood language.
Go Further with the Lord
Unlock this page to access the Extra Study, created for those who are serious about learning the teachings of Jesus and seeking a deeper understanding of the majesty of our Lord.
Desbloquea esta página para acceder al Estudio Extra, creado para quienes desean aprender seriamente las enseñanzas de Jesús y buscar una comprensión más profunda de la majestad de nuestro Señor.
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