The topic is bread and eternal life. Jesus is explaining what mean means by eating his flesh as bread.
John 6:58 this is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
John 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.
This is the bread loaf from the sky stepping down. No as those forefathers ate and died. The one gnawing this one, this bread loaf, shall live until the age.
I wouldn't mind living until the age.
The most misleading phrase in English translation is the part about living "for ever." The simplest translations of the preposition phrase are "into this lifetime, " "until the age," or "for the epoch." It does not mean "eternity" as I discuss in this article as my site that emails weekly articles.
In this verse, Jesus contrasts a common verb meaning "eat" with the more humorous word meaning "gnaw" or munch" that specifically refers eating vegetables and deserts and I suspect also covers eating bread. This is lost in most English translation, but the NIV uses two different words here "eats/feed on" though the NIV has translated the "feeds on" as "eat" in previous verses.
In the Greek we use today, there is no mention of "manna." Jesus says simply "they ate and died" referring to everything they ate. This "manna" was added in the Latin Vulgate but it is preserved in most English translations despite not being in their source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "which" is not the common word usually translated as "which."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "come" is not an active verb but a participle, "coming."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "your" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "did" doesn't exist in the source.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "manna" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "are" indicates the present tense, but that is not the tense here.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "dead" is not a noun but a verb "died."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is not the common word usually translated as "he."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "eats" is not the common word usually translated as "eats" above.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "of" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "bread" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "ever" should be something more like "an age."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "which" is not the common word usually translated as "which."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "come" is not an active verb but a participle, "coming."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "as" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "manna" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "your" should be something more like "the."
- W - Inserted Word -- The word "but" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whoever " is not the common word usually translated as "whoever ."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "bread" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "ever" should be something more like "an age."
this -- "This" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." It is in the form of a subject.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
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.
bread -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" 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.
cometh -- (WF) -- The verb translated as "comes down" means "go down," but root word means "steps" so, with the prefix, the sense is "steps down," which I find more poetic. When speaking of the sky, we say in English that things "come down" not "go down." This form here is not an active verb but a participle, "stepping down."
down - The "down" is from the prefix of the verb that means "down."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from."
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.
heaven, -- The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
: not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
as -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
your -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "you" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
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.
fathers -- "Fathers" 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. In the plural, the sense is "forefathers" or "ancestors."
did -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "did" in the Greek source.
eat -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
manna, -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "manna" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
are -- (WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
dead:- (WF) "Dead" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "die away" or to "die off." It is not the noun.
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) 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. It was probably used specifically for eating bread.
of -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "of" in the Greek source.
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It often stands apart from its noun, acting like a pronoun, "this one here" or "this here."
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.
bread -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread. "Bread" is one of Christ's most basic symbols, representing temporary physical nourishment as contrasted with permanent spiritual nourishment.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. 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.
for-- (CW) The word translated as "for" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. It can also means "for" when referring to a purpose but the following word is a time, so "until" or "up to."
ever: -- (WW) "Ever" is from aiôn, which means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." See this article on words translated as "world" in Jesus's words. It does not mean "eternity, see this article
This -- "This" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." It is in the form of a subject.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
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.
bread -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" 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.
cometh -- (WF) -- The verb translated as "comes down" means "go down," but root word means "steps" so, with the prefix, the sense is "steps down," which I find more poetic. When speaking of the sky, we say in English that things "come down" not "go down." This form here is not an active verb but a participle, "stepping down."
down - The "down" is from the prefix of the verb that means "down."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from."
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.
heaven, -- The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
missing "as" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
Your -- (WW) The word translated as "your" 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.
ancestors -- "Ancestors " 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. In the plural, the sense is "forefathers" or "ancestors."
ate -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
manna, -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "manna" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
died:- "Dead" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "die away" or to "die off." It is not the noun.
but -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "but" in the Greek source.
whoever -- (CW) The word translated as "whoever " 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.
feeds on - The Greek verb translated as "feeds one" 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. It was probably used specifically for eating bread.
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It often stands apart from its noun, acting like a pronoun, "this one here" or "this here."
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.
bread -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread. "Bread" is one of Christ's most basic symbols, representing temporary physical nourishment as contrasted with permanent spiritual nourishment.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. 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.
for-- (CW) The word translated as "for" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. It can also means "for" when referring to a purpose but the following word is a time, so "until" or "up to."
ever: -- (WW) "Ever" is from aiôn, which means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." See this article on words translated as "world" in Jesus's words. It does not mean "eternity, see this article
οὗτός [83 verses](adj sg masc nom) "This" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄρτος [32 verses](noun sg masc nom)"Bread" is artos, which means specifically a "cake of whole wheat bread," and generally "loaf," and "bread."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 6) cause, instrument, or means "by."
τοῦ[821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οὐρανοῦ [111 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of Heaven" is the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."
καταβάς [26 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Came down" is katabaino, which means "go down," "come down from," and "dismount from." Metaphorically, it means "attain," "conform to," "condescend," "fall in value," and "arrive at the end [of a speech]."
οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "As" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
ἔφαγον [30 verses](3rd pl aor ind act) "Did eat" i is esthio, which means "to eat," "devour," "fret," "vex," and to "take in one's mouth." It is also a metaphor for decay and erosion.
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "Your" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατέρες [191 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Fathers" 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."
ἀπέθανον [14 verses] (3rd pl aor ind act) "Are dead" is from apothnesko, which means "to die" and "to die off."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "He" 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."
τοῦτον [51 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Of this" is toutos, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("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.
ἄρτον [32 verses](noun sg masc acc)"Bread" is artos, which means specifically a "cake of whole wheat bread," and generally "loaf," and "bread."
ζήσει [15 verses](3rd sg fut ind 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."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "For" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
αἰῶνα [41 verses](noun sg masc gen)"Ever" is aion, which means "life," "lifetime," "age," or "generation." -- "World" is from aiôn, which means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." See this article on words translated as "world" in Jesus's words.