Joh 6:52 | RWP | e4.org | Strove ( εμαχοντο ). Imperfect (inchoative) middle of μαχομα , to fight in armed combat ( ), then to wage a war of words as here and . They were already murmuring ( ), now they began bitter strife with one another over the last words of Jesus ( ), some probably seeing a spiritual meaning in them. There was division of opinion about Jesus in Jerusalem also later ( , ; ; ). How can? ( Πως δυναται; ). The very idiom used by Nicodemus in , . Here scornful disbelief. This man ( ουτος ). Contemptuous use pictured in verse . His flesh to eat ( την σαρκα αυτου φαγειν ). As if we were cannibals! Some MSS. do not have αυτου , but the meaning is clear. The mystical appropriation of Christ by the believer ( ; ) they could not comprehend, though some apparently were against this literal interpretation of "flesh" ( σαρξ ).

‏ John 6:52

Strove ( εμαχοντο ). Imperfect (inchoative) middle of μαχομα, to fight in armed combat (Ac 7:26), then to wage a war of words as here and 2Ti 2:24. They were already murmuring (41), now they began bitter strife with one another over the last words of Jesus (43-51), some probably seeing a spiritual meaning in them. There was division of opinion about Jesus in Jerusalem also later (7:12, 40; 9:16; 10:19).

How can? ( Πως δυναται; ). The very idiom used by Nicodemus in 3:4, 9. Here scornful disbelief.

This man ( ουτος ). Contemptuous use pictured in verse 42.

His flesh to eat ( την σαρκα αυτου φαγειν ). As if we were cannibals! Some MSS. do not have αυτου, but the meaning is clear. The mystical appropriation of Christ by the believer (Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17) they could not comprehend, though some apparently were against this literal interpretation of "flesh" ( σαρξ ).