John 6:50
What does John 6:50 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:50 means
Jesus describes the bread that comes down from heaven as that which a person may eat and not die. The promise overturns the wilderness pattern—here is a food whose effect is victory over death. “Eating” anticipates a deeper participation in Jesus Himself, which He will explain as receiving His flesh and blood. The focus is on outcome: not dying, meaning eternal life that death cannot cancel. This is not about escaping physical mortality immediately, but about entering life that perseveres through death, secured by union with the heavenly bread.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The bread which comes from heaven is such bread that a man may take it for food and never see death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this is the bread that out of the heaven is coming down, that any one may eat of it, and not die.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This is the bread which cometh down from heaven: that if any man eat of it, he may not die.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.
Context
This promise follows the reminder of manna’s mortality and leads directly to the climactic identification of the living bread with Jesus’s flesh. The movement goes from general description to personal claim. The next verse will state plainly, “I am the living bread,” and introduce sacrificial language—His flesh given for the life of the world—shifting from metaphor to the cross’s reality.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;
- John 3:13
And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.
- John 6:42
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven?
- John 6:58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
- Romans 8:10
And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
- John 8:51
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.
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.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About Abiding in Christ
Key scriptures reveal what it means to abide in Christ, emphasizing our continuous connection and dependence on Him for spiritual life and fruitfulness.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.