The topic is bread and eternal life. The people ask how they can eat Jesus's flesh.
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
The one gnawing on me, this flesh, and drinking of me, this blood, has life on-going, and I myself might raise him on the final day.
I feel like I have been gnawing on the body of Jesus's word for some years now.
Jesus changes the word that gets translated as "eat." And he is making a joke. He uses a verb that specifically means eating vegetables. Its primary meaning is "to gnaw." Jesus makes this change for a reason, using a word for eating vegetables when he is talking about eating "flesh" or "meat." Why do translators hide these kinds of changes? Is it because they don't want to confuse people or because they don't know what to make of Jesus's humor? Or because it doesn't fit doctrine. Jesus mostly uses this word in this section of John and only where it is used humorously.
Another hidden change is the use of "my." Jesus usually put this possessive pronoun after the noun, "of me" but here he puts it before the noun so the verses say "gnawing on me, this body" and "drinking of me, this blood." I suspect that the form "gnawing on me" might have the same sense as we say "gnawing at me" or "gnawing on me."
When Jesus says "will raise," the verb tense could be the future, it might also be the subjunctive, something that "could" or "should" happen. This is more consistent with his frequent use of the subjunctive in this section of verses.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whoso" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "eat" is the same word translated as "eat" in all the previous verses in this section.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "eat" is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "flesh" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "drink" is not an active verb but a participle, "drinking."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "blodd" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whoever" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "eat" is the same word translated as "eat" in all the previous verses in this section.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "eat" is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "flesh" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "drink" is not an active verb but a participle, "drinking."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "blodd" is not shown in the English translation.
Whoso -- (CW) The word translated as "whoso" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
eateth - (CW, WF) The Greek verb translated as "eating" is a "to gnaw," "to nibble," and "munch," but it usually refers to herbivorous animals. It specifically means to eat vegetables or fruit. This is the least common word Jesus uses for eating, having more the sense of "to gnaw." It is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing." Jesus mostly uses this word in this section of John where it is used humorously.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
flesh, -- The Greek word translated as "the flesh" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual. In contrasting it with "spirit," he is making it clear that he has been using it in the later sense.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
drinketh (WF) -- The word "drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate."It is not an active verb but a participle, "chewing."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
blood, -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.
hath -- The word translated as "hath" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
eternal -- "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless."
life; -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.
and I -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I". Since the verb is already in the first person, that addition of the pronoun is like saying "and I myself," emphasizing the first-person speaker.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense, but the verb could also be the subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" happen. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
raise -- "Raise " is a Greek verb that means "to make to stand up," "to raise from the dead," "to rouse to action," and "to make people rise up."
him -- The word translated as "him" - is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
up -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "up."
at -- This word "at" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
last -- "Last" is from an adjective that, in space, means "furthest." In degree, it means "uttermost" and "highest." In persons, it means "lowest" and "meanest." Of time, it means "last" and "ending." If the context is the previous verse, it can refer to distance or people so it means "furthest" or "meanest." However, clearly, its use is intended for a double meaning, meaning both. KJV English has a double meaning as well, but it is not quite the same.
day. -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
Whoever -- (CW) The word translated as "whoso" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
eats - (CW, WF) The Greek verb translated as "eating" is a "to gnaw," "to nibble," and "munch," but it usually refers to herbivorous animals. It specifically means to eat vegetables or fruit. This is the least common word Jesus uses for eating, having more the sense of "to gnaw." It is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing." Jesus mostly uses this word in this section of John where it is used humorously.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
flesh, -- The Greek word translated as "the flesh" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual. In contrasting it with "spirit," he is making it clear that he has been using it in the later sense.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
drinketh (WF) -- The word "drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate."It is not an active verb but a participle, "chewing."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
blood, -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.
has -- The word translated as "has" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
eternal -- "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless."
life; -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.
and I -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I". Since the verb is already in the first person, that addition of the pronoun is like saying "and I myself," emphasizing the first-person speaker.
eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense, but the verb could also be the subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" happen. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
raise -- "Raise " is a Greek verb that means "to make to stand up," "to raise from the dead," "to rouse to action," and "to make people rise up."
them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
up -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "up."
at -- This word "at" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
last -- "Last" is from an adjective that, in space, means "furthest." In degree, it means "uttermost" and "highest." In persons, it means "lowest" and "meanest." Of time, it means "last" and "ending." If the context is the previous verse, it can refer to distance or people so it means "furthest" or "meanest." However, clearly, its use is intended for a double meaning, meaning both. KJV English has a double meaning as well, but it is not quite the same.
day. -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "Whoso" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
τρώγων [6 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Whoso eateth" is trogo, which means "to eat vegatable," "to nibble," "to munch," and "to eat fruits or desserts."
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
σάρκα [19 verses](noun sg fem acc) "The flesh" is sarx, which means "flesh," "the body," "fleshy," "the pulp of fruit," "meat," and "the physical and natural order of things" (opposite of the spiritual or supernatural).
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
πίνων [36 verses] (part sg pres act masc nom) "Drinketh" is pino, which means "to drink," "to celebrate," and "soak up."
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.-- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
αἷμα [12 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Blood" is haima, which means "blood," "streams of blood," "anything like blood," "spirit," "courage," "bloodshed," "murder," "blood relationship,"kin," and "kindship."
ἔχει: [181 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Hath" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, "acquire," "get,"
ζωήν,[42 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.
αἰώνιον. [23 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Eternal" is aionios, which means "lasting for an age," "perpetual," and "eternal." From "aion" which is used in the bible to mean an "age."
κἀγὼ [31 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom ) "And...I" is kago, a contraction of kai-ego. "And" is kai-, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." "I" is -ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and "for myself." --
ἀναστήσω [29 verses](1st sg fut ind act or 1st sg aor subj act) "Raise" is from anistemi, which means "to make stand up," "to raise up," "to raise from sleep," "to wake up," "to raise from the dead," "to rouse to action," "to put up for sale," "to make people rise," "to emigrate," "to transplant," and "to rise and leave the sanctuary."
αὐτὸν [720 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Him" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐσχάτῃ [21 verses](adj sg fem dat) "Last" is eschatos. In space, this means "furthest." In degree, it means "uttermost" and "highest." In persons, it means "lowest" and "meanest." Of time, it means "last" and "ending."
ἡμέρᾳ [96 verses](noun fem sg dat) "Days" is hemera, which means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "daybreak" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."