John 6:34
What does John 6:34 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:34 means
The crowd responds, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” Their words echo earlier longing for continual provision—an understandable but still earthbound desire. They imagine an unending supply that spares them from hunger, perhaps like an upgraded manna. Their request shows openness but also misunderstanding: they still think in terms of things to possess rather than a person to trust. Jesus will now reveal that He Himself is the bread they need, redirecting them from a gift to the Giver. Their plea, though misinformed, becomes an avenue for deeper truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Ah, Lord, they said, give us that bread for ever!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They said, therefore, unto him, `Sir, always give us this bread.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They said therefore unto him: Lord, give us always this bread.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They said therefore to him, Lord, ever give to us this bread.
Context
This response follows Jesus’s description of the bread of God and anticipates His first “I am” declaration in the discourse. Their desire functions like a cue, inviting Jesus to clarify that the bread is not a commodity but Himself. The next verse will contain the heart of the chapter: “I am the bread of life,” with promises of never hungering or thirsting for those who come and believe.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:26
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled.
- John 4:15
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw.
- Psalms 4:6
Many there are that say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
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