John 6:58
What does John 6:58 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:58 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:58 means
Jesus concludes the section by contrasting Himself once more with manna: this is the bread that came down from heaven, not like what the fathers ate and died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. The summary gathers the strands—heavenly origin, true nourishment, eternal effect—and leaves no doubt that He, not manna, is God’s final provision. The invitation is implied: receive Him and live. The repetition of “live forever” underscores that death’s reign is broken in Him. The wilderness story points to this greater bread; now the reality stands before them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is the bread which has come down from heaven. It is not like the food which your fathers had: they took of the manna, and are dead; but he who takes this bread for food will have life for ever.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this is the bread that came down out of the heaven; not as your fathers did eat the manna, and died; he who is eating this bread shall live--to the age.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890This is the bread which has come down out of heaven. Not as the fathers ate and died: he that eats this bread shall live for ever.
Context
This summation follows the explanation of life deriving from Christ as His life derives from the Father. It caps the discourse’s central claim before John notes the setting—Jesus was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. After this, the narrative will record the disciples’ difficulty with the teaching, many turning away, and Jesus challenging the Twelve, leading to Peter’s confession and the sober note about Judas.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.
- John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life.
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- John 6:41
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.
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