Joh 6:31-33 | RWP | e4.org | Ate the manna ( το μαννα εφαγον ). The rabbis quoted to prove that the Messiah, when he comes, will outdo Moses with manna from heaven. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and able to give bread for eternal life (verse ). Lightfoot ( Biblical Essays , p. 152) says: "The key to the understanding of the whole situation is an acquaintance with the national expectation of the greater Moses." They quote to Jesus (of. ; ; ). Their plea is that Moses gave us bread "from heaven" ( εκ του ουρανου ). Can Jesus equal that deed of Moses?

‏ John 6:31-33

Ate the manna ( το μαννα εφαγον ). The rabbis quoted Ps 72:16 to prove that the Messiah, when he comes, will outdo Moses with manna from heaven. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and able to give bread for eternal life (verse 27). Lightfoot (Biblical Essays, p. 152) says: "The key to the understanding of the whole situation is an acquaintance with the national expectation of the greater Moses." They quote to Jesus Ex 16:15 (of. Nu 11:7; 21:5; De 8:3). Their plea is that Moses gave us bread "from heaven" ( εκ του ουρανου ). Can Jesus equal that deed of Moses?

It was not Moses that gave you ( ου Μωυσης εδωκεν υμιν ). "Not Moses gave you." Blunt and pointed denial (aorist active indicative of διδωμ ) that Moses was the giver of the bread from heaven (the manna). Moses was not superior to Christ on this score.

But my Father ( αλλ ο πατηρ μου ). Not "our Father," but same claim as in 5:17f. Which caused so much anger in Jerusalem.

Gives ( διδωσιν ). Present active indicative, not aorist ( εδωκεν ). Continual process.

The true bread out of heaven ( τον αρτον εκ του ουρανου τον αληθινον ). "The bread out of heaven" as the manna and more "the genuine bread" of which that was merely a type. On αληθινος see 1:9; 4:23.

The bread of God ( ο αρτος του θεου ). All bread is of God (Mt 6:11). The manna came down from heaven (Nu 11:9) as does this bread ( ο καταβαινων ). Refers to the bread ( ο αρτος, masculine). Bernard notes that this phrase (coming down) is used seven times in this discourse (33, 38, 41, 42, 50, 51, 58).

Giveth life ( ζωην διδους ). Chrysostom observes that the manna gave nourishment ( τροφη ), but not life ( ζωη ). This is a most astounding statement to the crowd.