The topic is bread and eternal life. Jesus is explaining what mean means by eating his flesh as bread.
John 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
Even as he sent me, the living Father, I live because of the Father, and the gnawing on me, this one here will live by aid of me.
The Father causes life, but the Son aids us in continuing life.
Again, Jesus humorously exaggerates the concept of "eating/feeding on" using the verb that means munching or chomping on vegetables. It is a comical word, especially when applied to eating flesh or a person. The fact that it doesn't fit is how Jesus makes his point: that he is the living bread.
The preposition translated as "by" and "because of" generally means "through," but with the form of the subject here, it means "by the aid of" when referring to a person or "because of" when referring to a cause. While the "living" Father might be considered a cause of life, Jesus is clearly a person so the meaning of this word changes.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "by" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "eat" isn't one of the common words meaning "eat"
- WF - Wrong Form - The "eat" is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "even" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "by" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "by" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "feeds on" is the same word translated as "eat" in the previous verse.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "feed on" is not an active verb but a participle, "gnawing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "by" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
As -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
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.
living -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
sent -- The "sent" here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
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."
live -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
by -- (CW) The preposition translated as "by" means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "by the aid of," (of people) "because of," (of a cause) "by reasons of," (of things) and "for the sake of." Here, it is accusative, so the sense is "by the aid of."
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.
Father: -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
so -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). It is not the word for "so."
he -- (CW) The word translated as "he" 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.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
eateth - (CW, WF) The Greek verb translated as "eats" 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. The most common word has the sense of "consuming" something while the other word is the simpler sense of just "eating." Both of those words, however, are very close in meaning. This one is different, having the sense more of "grazing," like cattle. It is in the form of an adjective, "grazing." Jesus mostly uses this word in this section of John where it is used light-heartedly. It is not an active verb, but an participle, "gnawing."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
even -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "even" in the Greek source.
he -- (CW) The word translated as "he" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
live -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
by -- (CW) The preposition translated as "by" means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "by the aid of," (of people) "because of," (of a cause) "by reasons of," (of things) and "for the sake of." Here, it is accusative, so the sense is "by the aid of."
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
Just as -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
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.
living -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
sent -- The "sent" here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
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."
live -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
because of -- The preposition translated as "through" means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "by the aid of," (of people) "because of," (of a cause) "by reasons of," (of things) and "for the sake of." Here, the "because of" indicates the Father as a cause.
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.
Father: -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
so -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). It is not the word for "so."
the one . -- (CW) The word translated as "the one" 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.
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
feeds on - (CW, WF) The Greek verb translated as "feeds on" 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. The most common word has the sense of "consuming" something while the other word is the simpler sense of just "eating." Both of those words, however, are very close in meaning. This one is different, having the sense more of "grazing," like cattle. It is in the form of an adjective, "grazing." Jesus mostly uses this word in this section of John where it is used light-heartedly. It is not an active verb, but a participle, "gnawing."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
he -- (CW) The word translated as "he" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there."
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
live -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
because of -- (CW) The preposition translated as "because of" means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "by the aid of," (of people) "because of," (of a cause) "by reasons of," (of things) and "for the sake of." Here, the "because of" indicates the Father as a cause.
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "How" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
ἀπέστειλέν [60 verses](3rd sg aor ind act ) "Hath sent" is apostello, which means "to send off," "to send away," or "to dispatch."
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ζῶν [15 verses] (part sg pres act masc nom) "Living" is zao, which means "to live," "the living," and "to be alive." It is a metaphor for "to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh."
πατὴρ [191 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
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."
ζῶ [15 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "Live" is zao, which means "to live," "the living," and "to be alive." It is a metaphor for "to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh."
διὰ [88 verses](prep) "Through" is dia which means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "for (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατέρα, [191 verses](noun sg masc acc) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
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."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
τρώγων [6 verses](part sg pres act masc ) "He eateth" is trogo, which means "to eat vegatable," "to nibble," "to munch," and "to eat fruits or desserts."
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
κἀκεῖνος [107 verses](adj sg masc nom) "He that" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
ζήσει [15 verses] (3rd sg fut ind act or 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Shall live" is zao, which means "to live," "the living," and "to be alive." It is a metaphor for "to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh."
δι᾽ [88 verses](prep) "Through" is dia which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "for (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
ἐμὲ [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."-- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
The word translated as "eat" is primarily means eating vegetables.