v1-2: A great multitude followed Jesus. this was the peak of His popularity, as many followed Him; but many followed not out of faith and devotion, but to see some miracle performed. Some of them had already witnessed miracles.

This chapter brings a challenge to the people, whether they really wanted to follow; a theme introduced also in Mark 8.22-26, and Luke 9. Here there is a test of motive, see v29,41,60,66, sifting the people into followers and 'fans.'

v3: Jesus went up a mountain with His disciples, an indication of His intention to only have with Him those who really wanted to follow.

v4: The second of John's three Passovers, see 2.13; 13.1.

v5-6: Jesus' words have shades of meaning; His showed compassion towards the multitude, and brought a test for the Twelve. His power was such that the need of so many people was never beyond Him.

Such compassion was not just for His friends, see Luke 13.12-14; He gave to many who did not respond in faith.

By asking Philip the question, the enormity of the task is revealed.

v7: 200 denarii, 8 months' wages; in 12.5, 300 denarii is 12 months' wages. This was given in full to Jesus, although of course He is worthy of so much more.

v8-9: The available resources, very little; an impossible task, Luke 18.27.

The Lord takes the very little, and uses it for His purposes. In fact, He did not need the food at all, any more than He needed a few rocks to make the world. He shows grace by using the food, to the disciples, and to the boy whose food it was. Jesus delights to use the small, the despised, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

v10-11: The Lord in control, calm and ordered; the people were seated, there being no panic, no emotional excess. He showed gratitude to God, and set an example to His followers, by giving thanks for the food.

v12: Everyone had enough; Jesus saves and satisfies, Prov 11.24; Is 55.11. Fragments are pieces, not crumbs. Here is abundant generosity without waste.

v13: Twelve baskets, presumably for the Twelve. In Mark 8.19-20, we read a difference between the 12 baskets, and the 7 large baskets, left over after feeding the 4000.

In Mark 6.49-50, we read that the people sat down in groups. As in the church, each individual is part of the smaller local group, as well as the larger, universal church.

v14: The people, quite rightly, honoured Jesus. the sign did demonstrate His power, and the people recognised Him as someone special.

v15: Jesus' reaction to popularity; having seen the miracle, and eaten the food, the people wanted to make Him king "by force!" They wanted to 'follow' Him, but had misunderstood why He came.

Perhaps in response to such an attitude, the rest of the chapter contains "hard sayings," to challenge the people to accept Jesus Christ on His terms. This proves uncomfortable for many.

v16-18: After the blessing of the miraculous meal, the disciples had their own test. They struggled through the storm in the dark. See Mark 6.45-52, where we read that the Lord did not immediately come to them. He made them endure the test, 1 Cor 10.11. Again, this may be seen as a sign to Israel, that they would have to endure much before He returns for them.

v19-21: Fearful disciples, but encouraged by Jesus' arrival. There is no reference here to the storm being calmed; His presence is enough in difficult times.

The scripture reads that He walked on the water, not over it; thus He experienced the same trial. We are comforted to know that He experienced what we experience.

v22-25: Many of the people crossed the sea to Capernaum, trying to work out what he happened since the feeding of the 5000. 'If Jesus was not on the boat, how did He get across?'

v26-27: Jesus saw the people's attitude; they sought a sign (v33, see 1 Cor 1.22), even though they had eaten the bread and fish, they wanted more proof. The Lord carefully explains that there is a better way. They had eaten physical bread, and been fulfilled and satisfied. Now was the time to set their hearts on the food which endures to everlasting life, even Christ Himself. The Father had given His approval, and we are wise to respect that approval.

v28-29: A further question from the people; the question was to do with works, the Lord's response was to do with faith. His words, commanding that they believe in Him, sets Christ above all earthly teachers.

For us, Christ has completed the works, His life of perfect righteousness. Our part is to fully trust in Him.

v30: The demand for a further sign, another indication that they had not understood His words and intention.

Some preaching in some situations generates a high initial response, with the risk of insincerity. Here, Jesus begins to sift His hearers; He is looking for a few disciples, not a multitude of uncommitted 'fans.'

v31: It was Jesus' hearers who introduced the reference to the manna in the wilderness, quoting Ps 78.24. This was perhaps in response to Jesus' miraculous provision of food for them the previous day.

It is said that the synagogue in Capernaum has been discovered; on its lintel, was carved a pot of manna. 

v32-33: The manna is but a picture of Christ, the true bread from heaven. He is the food that endures (v27), having come down from Heaven (3.12), giving life to the world (1.4,9).

v34: Compare 4.15; here is a real, personal need of Christ. The Lord's offer, with all His authority, is attractive. Yet He must say more, to test the genuineness of their response.

v35: The bold statement, compare Ex 16.11-26. No natural supply, let alone sufficient supply. The implication is clear, Jesus Christ is all we need; we must simply trust in Him.

The invitation to the people is repeated, just believe.

v36: The problem remains; unbelief. John constantly encourages His readers to believe in Christ; the material he selects for his gospel reflects that emphasis.

v37: The divine promise to receive and keep; the guarantee of security in Christ. To all who 'come' to Christ, He is 'gentle and lowly' (Matt 11.28). 

v38: The Father sent the Son (v29); there is full agreement in the Godhead.

v39: The Son always does the Father's will; and His will is that all who trust in Christ will be kept safe. It is impossible that He should lose any.

v40: The eternal hope, referring to resurrection. The Lord's claims here are bold. He commands the people to believe in Him, and promises them eternal life.

v41-42: The Jews begin questioning and doubting. Jesus had insisted that He will keep all who come to Him, and that no one can come unless the Father draws him. The Jews balked at such claims; these words are explicit claims to personal deity.

v43-45: Jesus' firm response. It is God's initiative to save;

"draw," lit. to drag, 12.32; 21.3; James 2.6; indicating that a person's coming to Christ is not a human work, but God's work;

"taught by God," the call of God, which cannot be resisted; the reference in Is 54.13 teaches that each one who has come to God has been called by Him;

Coming to the Father is the same as coming to the Son; we are required to give proper honour, and have real faith.

v46: Christ, having seen the Father, is in the unique position to speak of Him, and be our mediator (1 Tim 2.5).

v47-49: The sure, eternal promises of God, see v35; 4.14; the Lord constantly offers eternal salvation to those who will believe in Him. The Jews who ate the manna all died; v31-32; Jesus' promise is that those who eat of Him, the bread of life, will not die.

v50-51: Eat and not die, life forever; a very clear offer;

• the ground of salvation, believe in Christ;
• the promise of salvation, live forever.

v52: More questioning; but there is no real desire to follow Christ, Is 6.10.

v53: These verses describe the single act of believing in Christ, rather than feeding on Him. Blood points us to a life given up; there is a clear indication here that we put our faith in one who died for us.

v54-58: The guarantee of security; since we truly believe, we will remain (abide) in Him; and He will raise us up at the resurrection. Jesus is the true bread from Heaven , see v32-33.

v59: At some point during chapter 6, Jesus had moved into the synagogue at Capernaum.

v60: Those who heard and grumbled were disciples, but evidently half-hearted disciples. They did not try to find out what Christ meant, they simply refused to accept His "hard teaching." The conclusion (v64) is that they did not really believe.

v61-62: We must accept Jesus on His terms; He is the exalted Son of Man. His words here infer that He has much more to reveal (3.12; 16.12). We must take the first step in believing in Him, and we begin a journey of discovery.

v63: The reality is spiritual; God's Spirit brings life, and Christ's words also bring life. Spirit and Word work in concert.

v64-65: The lord is sifting His hearers; only those who truly believed accepted these teachings.

v66: Many of Jesus' followers left Him; they are not "really my disciples" (8.31).

v67: The impression is given that there were only a few left with the Twelve.

v68-69: The inestimable benefit of belonging to Christ; there is no one like Him. Those who left would not find another.

v70-71: Yet even in the Twelve was one who did not really belong.