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John 6:35-51
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • XIX.29-44; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160). [NOTE: XVIX is not a meaningful numeral.]
  • Chapter IV, Chapter VI, On Prayer,  Tertullian (c. 199)
  • I.6, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XVI, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XIII, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter XXXIV, Chapter XXXV, Chapter XXXVII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter VIII, Chapter XXI, Chapter XXIV, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • V.III, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.23, I.33, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.26, X.13, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • On the Dress of Virgins, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 249)
  • On the Lord's Prayer -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • Epistle LXXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John: Tractate XXV (6:15-44); Tractate XXVI (6:41-59).
  • "The Attractive Power of God," (John 6:44), Meister Eckhart.
  • "On Faith and Coming to Christ and the True Bread of Heaven," Martin Luther, c. 1522.
    • "What is the proof by which one may know that this heavenly bread is his and that he is invited to such a spiritual supper? He needs only to look at his own heart. If he finds it so disposed that it is softened and cheered by God's promises and is firm in the conviction that it may appropriate this bread of life, then he may be assured that he is one of the invited; for as one believes, even so is it done unto him."
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Flesh cannot perceive spiritual things, and therefore the beginning of our salvation comes from God, who changes our nature, so that we, being inspired by him, may remain to be instructed and saved by Christ."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "This bread is Christ's human nature, which he took to present to the Father, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world; to purchase all things pertaining to life and godliness, for sinners of every nation, who repent and believe in him."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "This whole discourse concerning his flesh and blood refers directly to his passion, and but remotely, if at all, to the Lord's Supper."
  • "Human Inability," John 6:44, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1858.
    • "Coming to Christ, then, embraces in it repentance, self-negation, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it sums within itself all those things which are the necessary attendants of these great states of heart, such as the belief of the truth, earnestness of prayer to God, the submission of the soul to the precepts of God's gospel, and all those things which accompany the dawn of salvation in the soul."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Be not either startled or stumbled at these sayings; for it needs divine teaching to understand them, divine drawing to submit to them."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The Father's will is that "every one who sees the Son and believes upon him," thus coming to, following and abiding in him, shall have eternal life, and that in the resurrection day Christ shall raise him from the grave."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, John 6:35, 41-51, Craig A. Satterlee, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
    • "The good news is that Jesus, rather than our knowledge and understanding, is the source of our calling and the source of our strength."
  • "Ordinary Things," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
  • "Eaten by Life," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2015.
  • "Past Matters," Karoline Lewis, Working Preacher, 2015.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
  • "God Is Not Done," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
  • "Murmurings New and Old," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2015.
  • Resources specific to the Narrative Lectionary for February 16, 2014, John 6:35-59:
    • Commentary, Scott Shauf, Working Preacher, 2014.
    • "Bread of Life," Narrative Lectionary Podcast, Working Preacher, 2014.
    • Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2014.
    • Our Host: The Living Bread, Beth Scibienski, A Thousand Words of Inspiration, 2014
  • "A Whole New Way," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
    • "When we seek to follow in the footsteps of the faith that enabled Jesus to give up his life for the life of the world, it frees us for a whole new way of living, one that is motivated by compassion and giving, by mercy and caring, by faith and hope and love."
  • Commentary, John 6:35, 41-51, Ginger Barfield, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "What in the context of our own congregations needs turning upside down before we can hear and understand and be drawn to Jesus' words?"
  • "Murmuring about Bread from Heaven," D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
    • "'Murmur' here and in v.41: Perhaps 'grumble' or 'complain' would be better, but the idea of Jews/Judeans murmuring brings to mind the wilderness stories of the Exodus, when the people of Israel ‘murmured.’ See, e.g. Exodus 16:12, where the people murmur (γογγυσμὸν in LXX) and God, in response, sends Manna, later called the 'bread of heaven' (Psalm 78:24)."
  • "Not Another Bread Passage...Please!" Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2012.
    • "We have to open ourselves to receive the gift."
  • "What Beggars Know About Bread," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2012.
    • "You are not the baker nor the distributor.
      You are just another hungry pilgrim on the hillside or in the wilderness."
  • "The Boy Next Door: On Another Senseless Shooting," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
  • "Eat and Live Forever," Rick Morley, 2012.
    • "...And…he's so very clearly identifying himself as the new creation. The new garden. The new tree. The new fruit."
  • Jesus Is the Bread of Life, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012.
    • "According to Father Ray Brown, to take in someone's 'body and blood' could, in Hebrew understanding, mean something as simple, and uncontroversial, as accepting the whole person."
  • "Bread of Life Sermon Series," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • "On Baking Bread and the Bread of Life," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
    • "How does the image of Jesus as the Bread of Life speak to you? What stories of 'bread' make Jesus' words today all the more meaningful to you?"
  • "You Just Don't Get It, Do You?" Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2012.
    • "What he is interested in, with every person and group he encounters in the Gospel of John, is initiating a dialogue that can lead to a faith that is the beginning of a relationship."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 6:35, 41-51, David Ewart, 2012.
    • "...the whole point of this passage is that while earthly bread nourishes earthly life (all of which will pass away), Jesus has been sent so that we might come / see / hear / learn / trust / eat the bread from heaven / the true bread that gives eternal life."
  • "Is 'Jesus Bread' Gluten Free?" Roy M. Terry IV, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • "If Jesus is the bread of life, why is it so hard to take a bite?"
  • "Love's Angular Momentum," Andrew Prior, 2012.
  • Comentario del Evangelio por Ofelia Dávila Llimpe, Juan 6:35, 41-51, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • Commentary, John 6:35, 41-51, Brian Peterson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "If the crowds have been offended by trying to reconcile Jesus' heavenly claims with Jesus' familiar parents, what will happen when they are faced with the brutal reality of the cross? The bread from Heaven will give life to the world, astonishingly, by dying for it. This bread of life from Heaven is no 'free lunch;' it will cost Jesus his life. Feeding on this bread will bring us as well to the cross (12:32)."
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 11, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "...eternal life is John?s favourite way of describing salvation and it means sharing in God?s life, for its benefits both for oneself and for others."
  • John 6:35,41-51, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "God can present us with the bread of heaven, but God can't make us eat."
  • "The Living Bread," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Eucharistic Symbolism in the Gospel of John," David E. Fredrickson, Word & World, 1997.
    • "A metaphorical reading of eating Jesus' flesh in John 6 is insufficient. It keeps the reader from seeing the connection between Jesus' self-giving and his divinity; it does not reckon with the communication of divinity to communicants; it does not allow for our participation in the life of God through the ascent of the incarnate Word."
  • 12th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:1-71 -- The Bread Which Gives Life to the World, Paul S. Berge, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1985.
  • "Eternal Life," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • "Foodstuffs," Jerome Burce, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
    • "At some point a human being quits grasping for life and griping at God and begins instead to give herself away with Christ, as a piece of his flesh, for the life of the world (v. 51)."
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "The Promise of Eternal Life," Ordinary 19B, Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "Do you have life insurance coverage? Why is such coverage important to you and your family?"
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 19B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • John 6:35, 41-51, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's An Exegetical Study of the Common Lectionary, coordinated by Prof. John E. Alsup, features rough translation, disposition, immediate context, broader context, hermeneutical bridge, and contemporary address. 
  • "Israel's Hour of Decision (John 6)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Christ came not as a spectacular wonder worker but as the wonder."
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The participle in verse 54, trwvgwn, is almost shockingly graphic: it means to eat noisily, often used of animals ("gnaw," "nibble," "munch"). When used with reference to people, it often has the idea of enjoyment (Mt. 24:38) and close comradeship."
  • John 6:37-40, Remembrance Sunday, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "The Sociology of Secrecy and the Fourth Gospel." Jerome H. Neyrey, in What Is John? Vol. II: Literary and Social Readings of the Fourth Gospel, 79-109. F. Segovia, ed. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998.
    • "Once we start to pull back the veil, we notice numerous instances of hiding-revealing, secrecy, ambiguity and even lying. The following is an attempt to catalogue the primary and related instances of secrecy and "information control" in the document."
  • "Food For Thought: The Bread of Life Discourse (John 6:25-71) in Johannine Legitimation," by James F. McGrath, from Theological Gathering 2 (Winter 1997).
    • "...the bread of life discourse represents a christological exposition of the Old Testament manna tradition. Eucharistic language is thus probably used not as an end in itself, but because it enables faith in Jesus to be expounded in a way that is relevant to the Johannine community's legitimation of its beliefs and practices in the context of its conflict with the synagogue."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Allison, Dale C., Jr., "The Living Water (John 4:10-14; 6:35c; 7:37-39)," St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ashton, John, "The Identity and Function of the IOUDAIOI in the Fourth Gospel," Novum Testamentum, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bailey, Raymond, "John 6," Review and Expositor, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berge, Paul S., "The Bread Which Gives Life to the World," Word & World, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Cox, Claude E., "Quest for Faith," Restoration Quarterly, 1984. (Sermon)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Crossan, John Dominic, "It Is Written: A Structuralist Analysis of John 6," Semeia, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Culpepper, R. Alan, "The Gospel of John and the Jews," Review & Expositor, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dawn, Marva J., "Preaching Hope in an Affluent Society," Journal for Preachers, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fredrickson, David E., "Eucharistic Symbolism in the Gospel of John," Word & World, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 296)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kilmartin, S.J., "Liturgical Influence on John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1960.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Koester, Craig R., "John Six and the Lord's Supper," Lutheran Quarterly, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Laurence, John D., "The Eucharist as the Imitation of Christ," Theological Studies, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lilly, Joseph L., "The Eucharistic Discourse of John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1950.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Manus, Chris U., "The Eucharist: A Neglected Factor in Contemporary Theologies of Liberation," AFER, 1985
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Martin, Troy W., "Assessing the Johannine Epithet 'the Mother of Jesus'," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Naranjo-Huebl, Linda, "'Take, Eat': Food Imagery, the Nurturing Ethic, and Christian Identity in The Wide, Wide World, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," Christianity and Literature, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Phillips, Gary A., "'This Is A Hard Saying. Who Can Be Listener To It?': Creating a Reader in John 6," Semeia, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ramshaw, Gail, "Living by the Word: 1 Kings 19:4-8, John 6:35, 41-51," The Christian Century, 2009.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ruland, S.J., Vernon, "Sign and Sacrament: John's Bread of Life Discourse," Interpretation, 1964.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rusch, Frederick A., "The Signs and the Discourse - The Rich Theology of John 6," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1978.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Scipione, George C., "The Wonderful Counselor, the Other Counselor, and Christian Counseling," Westminster Theological Journal, 1974.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sproston, W.E., "'Is Not This Jesus, the Son of Joseph...?' (John 6:42): Johannine Christology as a Challenge to Faith," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Temple, Patrick J., "The Eucharist in St John 6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1947.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Toppin, Shirlyn, "'Soul Food' Theology: Pastoral Care and Practice through the Sharing of Meals: A Womanist Reflection," Black Theology, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Vasholz, Robert I., "Is the New Testament Anti-Semitic?" Presbyterion, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Voelz, James W., "The Discourse on the Bread of Life in John 6: Is It Eucharistic?" Concordia Journal, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Von Wahlde, Urban C., "Literary Structure and Theological Argument in Three Discourses with the Jews in the Fourth Gospel," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Yeago, David S., "The Bread of Life: Patristic Christology and Evangelical Soteriology in Martin Luther's Sermons on John 6," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Sharing in the Life of Jesus," the Rev. Juan Huertas, Day 1, 2012.
  • Pentecost 10, 13 August 2006, Jim Mueller, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Eternal Life," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Living in Love," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2003.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Ordinary 19, 2012
    • Ordinary 19, 2009
    • Ordinary 19, 2008
    • Ordinary 19, 2006
    • All Soul's, 2003
    • Ordinary 19, 2000
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 14B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
  • "I Am the Bread that Gives Life," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • John 5 & 6 Word Search, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
• Drama:
  • "In Front of the Synagogue of Capernaum," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
  • "Tough Teaching," Jane and Mark Lewis, Potted Jam.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: John 6:41-51, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • John 6:41-51, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • John 6:35-40, John 6:41-51, John 6:44-51, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Bulletin Cover/Art, John 6:51, John Stuart, Knoxville, TN. (Free use by churches.)
• Hymns and Music:
  • "Where Is Bread?" original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, tune: ABBOT'S LEIGH 8.7.8.7.D ("God Is Here!").
  • "O Jesus, You Were Born to Be" original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, celebrates the names and titles of Jesus, including the Bread of Life (John 6:35), tunes: TRURO ("Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates") and TALLIS' CANON ("All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night").
  • Come Sup Wth God by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, 2012.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 6:35, 37, 39, 40,47, 51. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Come, Ye Disconsolate
    • Just as I Am
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Eating/Feeding/Eucharist
  • Manna in the Wilderness
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Communion/Eucharist
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

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