John 6:49
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.
Your fathers
This phrase refers to the ancestors of the Jewish people, specifically those who were part of the Exodus from Egypt. In the context of John 6, Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience who would have been well aware of their heritage and the accounts of their forefathers. The Greek word used here is "πατέρες" (pateres), which can mean fathers or ancestors. This reference serves to connect Jesus' message to the historical narrative of Israel, reminding the audience of their shared history and the lessons it holds.

ate the manna
Manna was the miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness, as recorded in Exodus 16. The Greek word for manna is "μάννα" (manna), which is a direct transliteration from the Hebrew "מָן" (man). This miraculous provision was a daily reminder of God's sustenance and care. However, Jesus uses this reference to highlight a deeper spiritual truth, contrasting the temporary physical sustenance of manna with the eternal spiritual sustenance He offers.

in the wilderness
The wilderness, or desert, was a place of testing and reliance on God for the Israelites. The Greek word "ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ" (en tē erēmō) signifies a desolate, uninhabited place. Historically, the wilderness experience was a formative period for Israel, where they learned dependence on God. Jesus' mention of the wilderness evokes the idea of spiritual testing and the need for divine provision beyond physical needs.

yet they died
Despite the miraculous provision of manna, the Israelites eventually died, emphasizing the temporary nature of physical sustenance. The Greek word "ἀπέθανον" (apethanon) means they died or passed away. This serves as a stark reminder that while God provided for their physical needs, the manna could not grant eternal life. Jesus uses this to contrast the perishable nature of earthly provisions with the imperishable life He offers through Himself, the true Bread from Heaven.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Fathers
Refers to the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. They were the ancestors of the Jewish people to whom Jesus was speaking.

2. Manna
The miraculous bread from heaven that God provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. It was a temporary provision for their physical sustenance.

3. Wilderness
The desert region where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith in God's promises.

4. Jesus
The speaker of this verse, who is contrasting the temporary, physical sustenance of manna with the eternal, spiritual sustenance He offers as the Bread of Life.

5. Death
The physical death that the Israelites experienced despite eating the manna, highlighting the insufficiency of physical sustenance alone for eternal life.
Teaching Points
Temporary vs. Eternal Provision
Manna was a temporary solution for physical hunger, but Jesus offers eternal satisfaction for spiritual hunger.

Dependence on God
Just as the Israelites depended on God for daily manna, we must depend on Christ daily for spiritual nourishment.

The Bread of Life
Jesus is the true Bread from Heaven, offering eternal life. Belief in Him is essential for spiritual sustenance.

Physical vs. Spiritual Death
While the Israelites experienced physical death despite eating manna, belief in Jesus promises eternal life beyond physical death.

Faith and Obedience
The Israelites' journey in the wilderness was marked by disobedience and lack of faith. In contrast, faith in Jesus leads to eternal life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the provision of manna in the wilderness illustrate God's care and provision for His people, and how can we apply this understanding to our daily lives?

2. In what ways does Jesus being the "Bread of Life" fulfill and surpass the provision of manna to the Israelites?

3. How can we ensure that we are seeking spiritual nourishment from Christ daily, rather than relying solely on physical or temporary solutions?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our dependence on God in our daily routines, similar to how the Israelites depended on manna?

5. How does understanding the temporary nature of manna and the eternal promise of Jesus influence our perspective on life and death?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 16
Describes the provision of manna to the Israelites, emphasizing God's provision and the people's dependence on Him for daily sustenance.

Deuteronomy 8:3
Highlights that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord, pointing to the need for spiritual nourishment.

John 6:35
Jesus declares Himself the Bread of Life, offering eternal life to those who believe in Him, contrasting with the temporary life sustained by manna.

1 Corinthians 10:3-4
Paul refers to the spiritual food and drink provided to the Israelites, drawing a parallel to Christ as the spiritual rock.
A Man Cannot Come to Christ Unassisted by the Holy SpiritDr. Guthrie.John 6:41-51
Coming to ChristJ. E. Good.John 6:41-51
Conviction by the Holy Spirit Necessary to ConversionC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:41-51
Divine Light Necessary to Our SalvationToplady.John 6:41-51
Divine Teaching NecessaryArchdeacon Hare.John 6:41-51
Four Enigmas SolvedT. Whitelaw, D. D.John 6:41-51
Human InabilityC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:41-51
Murmuring a Great SinT. Brook.John 6:41-51
Murmuring a Hydra-Headed SinT. Brooks.John 6:41-51
Reason and FaithPascal.John 6:41-51
Taught of GodS. Barnard.John 6:41-51
The Character of FaithPreacher's AnalystJohn 6:41-51
The Christian Now Drawn to Christ, and Hereafter to be RaW. Jay.John 6:41-51
The Christian Taught of GodC. Bradley, M. A.John 6:41-51
The Drawing of the FatherR. Besser, D. D., Theophylact.John 6:41-51
The Teachings of God OpenedJohn 6:41-51
Things to be RememberedBp. Ryle.John 6:41-51
Weighty TruthsBishop Ryle.John 6:41-51
Why Men Cannot Come to ChristC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:41-51
Believing Must be on Christ OnlyS. Charnock.John 6:47-58
Certain Salvation by BelievingC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
Christ Alone is the Bread of LifeC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
Christ the Bread of LifeRalph Robinson.John 6:47-58
Christ the Chosen Food of Earnest ChristiansC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
Christ the True Food and Drink of BelieversRalph Robinson.John 6:47-58
Eating Christ's FleshW. Brock, D. D.John 6:47-58
Everlasting LifeW. Jay.John 6:47-58
Everlasting LifeW. H. Van Doren, D. D.John 6:47-58
Faith in Christ Must be PersonalJ. Spencer.John 6:47-58
Faith, Though Weak, Saves the SoulH. Muller.John 6:47-58
How Christ is to be Fed UponRalph Robinson.John 6:47-58
Meat and Drink IndeedR. Tuck, B. A.John 6:47-58
Meat and Drink IndeedBp. Beveridge.John 6:47-58
Meat and Drink IndeedJ. Flavel.John 6:47-58
No Life Without Feeding Upon ChristC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
The Blood of Christ Our Only HopeJohn 6:47-58
The Bread of LifeJ. Irons.John 6:47-58
The Bread of LifePreacher's AnalystJohn 6:47-58
The Bread of Life and MannaW. Baxendale.John 6:47-58
The Food of the SoulBp. Ryle.John 6:47-58
The Food of the SoulJ. M. Ludlow, D. D.John 6:47-58
The Food that Gives LifeA. Maclaren, D. D.John 6:47-58
The Food that Jesus Gave to His OwnW. Arnot, D. D.John 6:47-58
The Meat and Drink of the New NatureC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
The Vital Relation to ChristJ. A. Beith, D. D.John 6:47-58
Truly Eating the Flesh of JesusC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
We Must Feed Upon ChristC. H. Spurgeon.John 6:47-58
We Must Feed Upon Christ for OurselvesSword and Trowel.John 6:47-58
People
Andrew, Jesus, Joseph, Judas, Peter, Philip, Simon
Places
Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Sea of Tiberias, Tiberias
Topics
Ate, Dead, Desert, Died, Eat, Fathers, Forefathers, Manna, Waste, Wilderness, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 6:49

     1418   miracles, responses
     4230   desert

John 6:35-51

     5409   metaphor

John 6:35-52

     2426   gospel, responses

John 6:41-59

     4418   bread

John 6:47-58

     4474   manna

John 6:48-51

     2422   gospel, confirmation
     9150   Messianic banquet

John 6:48-58

     4438   eating

Library
May 9 Evening
It is I; be not afraid.--JOHN 6:20. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.--I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Woe is me! for I am undone; . . . mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 22 Morning
Your work of faith.--I THES. 1:3. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.--Faith worketh by love.--He that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.--We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.--Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

August 8 Evening
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.--ROM. 10:13. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.--Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.--What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. If ye . . . being
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

November 21 Morning
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.--JOHN 6:37. It shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.--I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the Lord their God.--I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 29 Morning
His commandments are not grievous.--I JOHN 5:3. This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.--Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.--If ye love me, keep my commandments.--He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 14 Evening
The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.--JOHN 6:63. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.--The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Christ . . . loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 23 Evening
It is the spirit that quickeneth.--JOHN 6:63. The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.--That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.--Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 17 Morning
Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.--PSA. 80:18. It is the Spirit that quickeneth.--The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.--Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 29 Evening
David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.--I SAM. 30:6. Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.--I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 14 Evening
Give us this day our daily bread.--MATT. 6:11. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.--His bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.--The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.--Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 8. "He that Eateth Me, Even He Shall Live by Me" (John vi. 57).
"He that eateth Me, even He shall live by Me" (John vi. 57). What the children of God need is not merely a lot of teaching, but the Living Bread. The best wheat is not good food. It needs to be ground and baked before it can be digested and assimilated so as to nourish the system. The purest and the highest truth cannot sanctify or satisfy a living soul. He breathes the New Testament message from His mouth with a kiss of love and a breath of quickening power. It is as we abide in Him, lying upon
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

June 22. "This is that Bread which came Down from Heaven" (John vi. 58).
"This is that bread which came down from heaven" (John vi. 58). We had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead; who delivereth us from so great a death, who doth deliver; in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us. This was the supernatural secret of Paul's life; he drew continually in his body from the strength of Christ, his Risen Head. The body which rose from Joseph's tomb was to him a physical reality and the inexhaustible
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel
And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.'--JOHN vi. 11. This narrative of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand is introduced into John's Gospel with singular abruptness. We read in the first verse of the chapter: 'After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee,' i.e. from the western to the eastern side. But the Evangelist does not tell
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces'
'When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.'--JOHN vi. 12. The Revised Version correctly makes a very slight, but a very significant change in the words of this verse. Instead of 'fragments' it reads 'broken pieces.' The change seems very small, but the effect of it is considerable. It helps our picture of the scene by correcting a very common misapprehension as to what it was which the Apostles are bid to gather up. The general notion,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fifth Miracle in John's Gospel
'So when they had rowed about five-and-twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20. But He said unto them, It is I; be not afraid.'--JOHN vi. 19,20. There are none of our Lord's parables recorded in this Gospel, but all the miracles which it narrates are parables. Moral and religious truth is communicated by the outward event, as in the parable it is communicated by the story. The mere visible fact becomes more than semi-transparent.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Work the Work of God
'Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye, believe on Him whom He hath sent.'--JOHN vi. 28, 29. The feeding of the five thousand was the most 'popular' of Christ's miracles. The Evangelist tells us, with something between a smile and a sigh, that 'when the people saw it, they said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world,' and they were so delighted with Him and with
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Manna
'I am that bread of life. 49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.'--JOHN vi. 48-50. 'This is of a truth that Prophet,' said the Jews, when Christ had fed the five thousand on the five barley loaves and the two small fishes. That was the kind of Teacher for them; they were quite unaffected by the wisdom of His words and the beauty of His deeds, but a miracle that found food precisely
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Redemption (Continued)
"He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath life eternal."--JOHN VI. 54. We were made for holiness, union with God, eternal life. These are but different expressions for one and the same thing. For holiness is the realisation of our manhood, of that Divine Image which is the true self, expressing itself and acting, as it does in us, through the highest of animal forms. That perfect self-realisation is not merely dependent upon, but is union with God, at its beginning, throughout its
J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

The Study of the Bible Recommended; and a Method of Studying it Described.
Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of Eternal Life. IT was probably in that synagogue which the faithful Centurion built at Capernaum [243] that our Saviour had been discoursing. At the end of his discourse, it is related that "many of His Disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." Thereupon, He asked the Twelve, "Will ye also go away?" the very form of His inquiry (Me kai humeis) implying the answer which the Divine Speaker expected and desired. And to this challenge of Love
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

The Attractive Power of God
THE ATTRACTIVE POWER OF GOD St John vi. 44.--"No one can come unto Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." Our Lord Jesus Christ hath in the Gospel spoken with His own blessed lips these words, which signify, "No man can come to Me unless My Father draw him." In another place He says, "I am in the Father and the Father in Me." Therefore whoever cometh to the Son cometh to the Father. Further, He saith, "I and the Father are One. Therefore whomsoever the Father draweth, the Son draweth
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

The Gospel Feast
"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?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
Luke 10:42 -- "But one thing is needful." It was the amiable character of our blessed Redeemer, that "he went about doing good," this great motive, which animated all his actions, brought him to the house of his friend Lazarus, at Bethany, and directed his behavior there. Though it was a season of recess from public labor, our Lord brought the sentiments and the pious cares of a preacher of righteousness into the parlor of a friend; and there his doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 53, "Except Ye Eat the Flesh," Etc. , and on the Words of the Apostles. And the Psalms. Against
Delivered at the Table of the Martyr St. Cyprian, the 9th of the Calends of October,--23 Sept., on the Lord's day. 1. We have heard the True Master, the Divine Redeemer, the human Saviour, commending to us our Ransom, His Blood. For He spake to us of His Body and Blood; He called His Body Meat, His Blood Drink. The faithful recognise the Sacrament of the faithful. But the hearers what else do they but hear? When therefore commending such Meat and such Drink He said, "Except ye shall eat My Flesh
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 55,"For My Flesh is Meat Indeed, and My Blood is Drink Indeed. He that Eateth My Flesh," Etc.
1. As we heard when the Holy Gospel was being read, the Lord Jesus Christ exhorted us by the promise of eternal life to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood. Ye that heard these words, have not all as yet understood them. For those of you who have been baptized and the faithful do know what He meant. But those among you who are yet called Catechumens, or Hearers, could be hearers, when it was being read, could they be understanders too? Accordingly our discourse is directed to both. Let them who already
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Links
John 6:49 NIV
John 6:49 NLT
John 6:49 ESV
John 6:49 NASB
John 6:49 KJV

John 6:49 Commentaries

Bible Hub
John 6:48
Top of Page
Top of Page