John 6:59
What does John 6:59 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:59 means
John notes that Jesus said these things in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. This anchors the discourse in a formal teaching setting among people familiar with Scripture. The synagogue context explains the intense scriptural dialogue, the appeal to the prophets, and the strong reaction. It also shows that Jesus brings His most searching claims into the center of religious life, not just to the countryside. The setting adds weight: this is not casual talk but authoritative instruction in the gathered community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
KJV
King James Version · 1611These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said these things in the Synagogue while he was teaching at Capernaum.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862These things he said in a synagogue, teaching in Capernaum;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890These things he said in [the] synagogue, teaching in Capernaum.
Context
This editorial note concludes the teaching section that began with the crowd seeking Jesus. It signals a shift from discourse to the response among His disciples. The next verses record many disciples calling the teaching hard and murmuring, Jesus exposing unbelief and pointing to His ascension and Spirit-given life, and then the sad departure of many who had followed Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 4:31
And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath day:
- Proverbs 8:1
Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice?
- John 18:20
Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.
- Proverbs 1:20
Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places;
- Psalms 40:9
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest.
- John 6:24
when the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
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