A crowd gathers in Capernaum after the miracle of the loaves.
John 6:26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
John 6:26 Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
Ameni, Ameni I'm telling you. You seek me not because you see signs but because you ate from the bread and you were satisfied.
Jesus didn't want people to come to hear him to get free bread.
The "verily" catchphrase is used frequently by Jesus as a light-hearted introduction to a complex idea. Its vocabulary and meaning are discussed in detail in this article. The word is an exclamation, translated as "verily" in the KJV and "truly" in more modern translation, but we would say "honestly" today. It is from an untranslated Aramaic word, amen, and a good piece of evidence that Christ taught in Greek, not Aramaic.
This verse seems to point out that the people who had eaten the loaves from the Miracle of the Loaves did not see it as a sign from heaven. Instead, they saw it only as free food. The word translated as "see" is the common word that means "see," but it is often used to mean "know" like we use "I see" to say "I know."
The punchline here is the final word "filled" and "fill." It was also the punchline in Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger. It is a funny words, usually used for fattening livestock.
Out of this fact, it is natural that some people began to follow Jesus simply for a free meal. In an age where food was not as plentiful as it is in modern America, this is complete understandable.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "miracles" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "did" is not represent anything in the Greek source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "very" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "I performed" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "from" is not shown in the English translation.
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
Verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim.
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
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.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
saw -- The verb translated as "saw" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In th KJV, it is almost translated as many times as "know" as it is "see,"
the -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
miracles, - (CW) "Miracles" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it. It does not really mean "miracles" nor is it usually translated that way in the Gospels.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this." A "but instead" makes his point clearer here.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ye-- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
did -- (CW) This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek Its use here doesn't seem to reflect anything in Greek.
eat -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up," which seems to go better with the "worry" concept earlier.
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases the "of" phrases.
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.
loaves, " -- The word translated as "loaves" 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
were -- This helping verb "were" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
filled. -- The Greek word translated in this version as "filled" also means "to satisfy" with a close association with the physical satisfaction of eating. Jesus uses a bit of humor here, choosing a word that is usually applied to cattle, specifically the fattening of cattle. There is another potential take that may or may not work, that is, interpreting this as "get their fill."
Very, -- (CW) The word translated as "very" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
truly -- The word translated as "truly " is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
are looking for -- The Greek verb translated as "are looking for" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim.
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
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.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
saw -- The verb translated as "saw" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In th KJV, it is almost translated as many times as "know" as it is "see,"
the -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
signs , - "Sings" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning.
I performed -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "I preformed" in the Greek source.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
ate -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up," which seems to go better with the "worry" concept earlier.
missing "from" -- (MW) The untranslated word "from" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases the "of" phrases.
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.
loaves, " -- The word translated as "loaves" 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
had -- (WV) This verb is in the active voice, but the verb here should be passive.
your -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
fill. -- This completes the idea of the verb. The Greek word translated in this version as "fill" also means "to satisfy" with a close association with the physical satisfaction of eating. Jesus uses a bit of humor here, choosing a word that is usually applied to cattle, specifically the fattening of cattle. This is not a noun but a passive verb.
Ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ζητεῖτέ [36 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Seek" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
οὐχ [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.
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
εἴδετε [166 verses] (2nd pl aor ind act) "You saw" is eido which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know."
σημεῖα [15 times](noun pl neut acc) "Miracles" is from semeion, which means "mark (by which things are known)," "a proof" (in reasoning), "sign (of the future)," "sign from the gods," "signal (to do things)," "omen," "portent," "constellations," and a "standard (flag)."
ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ἐφάγετε [30 verses] (2nd pl aor ind) "Did eat" 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.
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "Of" 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."
τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄρτων [32 verses](noun pl masc gen)"Loves" is artos, which means specifically a "cake of whole wheat bread," and generally "loaf," and "bread.
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."
ἐχορτάσθητε: [6 verses](2nd pl aor ind pass) "Were filled" is from chortazo, which means "feed", "fatten" and "to eat their fill." It is a term most commonly used for cattle.-