John 6:27
What does John 6:27 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:27 means
Jesus urges them to labor not for perishable food but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give. He adds that the Father has set His seal on Him, marking Him as the authorized giver of life. The contrast is between temporary satisfaction and lasting life. Human striving for earthly bread cannot secure eternal blessing; only Jesus can give it, and He does so as the Father’s appointed servant and Son. To pursue Him rightly is to receive, not to earn. The call is to reorient desire toward what lasts and toward the One whom God has endorsed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let your work not be for the food which comes to an end, but for the food which goes on for eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you, for on him has God the Father put his mark.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862work not for the food that is perishing, but for the food that is remaining to life age-during, which the Son of Man will give to you, for him did the Father seal--<FI> even<Fi> God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him hath God, the Father, sealed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Work not [for] the food which perishes, but [for] the food which abides unto life eternal, which the Son of man shall give to you; for him has the Father sealed, [even]God.
Context
This exhortation follows the exposure of the crowd’s motives and precedes their question about the works of God. Jesus moves them from appetite to action—seeking the right food—and from self-effort to divine gift. The mention of the Father’s seal introduces the theme of Jesus’s unique authorization, which underscores the sufficiency of believing in Him. The next exchange will pivot on what “work” God requires, to which Jesus answers: faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:33
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
- Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
- Mark 1:11
and a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.
- Colossians 2:22
(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?
- Philippians 2:13
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- John 5:36
But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
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