John 6:55
What does John 6:55 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:55 means
Jesus states that His flesh is true food and His blood is true drink. Compared to all other sustenance, His sacrificial self-giving alone truly nourishes the soul. Earthly bread can maintain bodily life for a time; only Christ’s offered life feeds us unto eternity. “True” here means ultimate and genuine—what the signs pointed to. This clarifies that the earlier miracle of bread was a shadow; the substance is Christ Himself given for sinners. Receiving Him by faith is not a metaphorical nicety but the only real nourishment for eternal life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for my flesh truly is food, and my blood truly is drink;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for my flesh is truly food and my blood is truly drink.
Context
This assertion follows the promise of life and resurrection for those who eat and drink. It deepens the contrast between perishable provision and the enduring food Jesus gives. The next verse unfolds the relational result: those who partake abide in Him and He in them, introducing the theme of mutual indwelling that characterizes true discipleship and prepares for the comparison to His relationship with the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 4:7
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More thanthey havewhen their grain and their new wine are increased.
- John 6:32
Jesus 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.
- Hebrews 8:2
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
- 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
- John 8:31
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
- John 1:9
There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
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.