Devine Scripture

John 6:33

What does John 6:33 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:33 means

Jesus defines the bread of God as that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. The source is heavenly, the movement is downward, and the scope is global. This bread is not limited to Israel or to one generation; it is God’s life-giving provision for all. The language prepares the hearer for a person rather than a product—the One who descends from the Father. The gift is not merely sustenance but life itself. Jesus is leading them to understand that the bread of God is living and personal, able to impart eternal life to all who receive Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The bread of God is the bread which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the bread of God is that which is coming down out of the heaven, and giving life to the world.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the bread ofGod is he who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.

Context

This statement follows Jesus’s correction about Moses and the Father’s present giving. It clarifies what kind of bread is in view, expanding its impact beyond the wilderness generation to the world. The people will respond by asking always to receive this bread, echoing the Samaritan woman’s earlier desire for living water. That request sets the stage for Jesus’s explicit self-identification as the bread of life.

v.32Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven.

v.33This passage

v.34They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 16:28

    I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father.

  • 1 John 1:1

    That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

  • John 8:42

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.

  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:

  • John 6:48

    I am the bread of life.

  • John 6:50

    This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 6:33.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary