A crowd gathers in Capernaum after the miracle of the loaves and Jesus walks on water. The crowd asks for a sign like manna in the desert. Jesus talks about the bread of the divine.
John 6:35 I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:35 I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
I myself am the loaf of this life. The one coming toward me might never crave and the one trusting as much as me might never lack at any time.
Jesus gives us plenty to chew on and drink in.
First, the phrase translated as "believe in me" more likely means "as much as me" (see this article).
Jesus says specifically that he is the bread of "this life," using the definite article, then he described as life where no one hungers or thirst, and, as in English, the terms "hunger" and "thirst" means more than physical hunger and thirst. The Greek word for "hunger" also means "to crave after.".The word for "thirst" also means "to long for" and, generally, "to lack."At Jesus's time, the afterlife of the Greek hades and the Judean sheol was an afterlife where the shades of those who had died lingered on missing all the pleasure of life, an existence of hunger and thirst. These two verbs would be heard as possibilities, what "might" or "should" happen, not the future tense.
The last word in the Greek verse, Jesus's punchline, is not translated from Greek. He adds"at any time" to the end, an idea already expressed in the "never" negative, for emphasis. This was a play on the request of the people which was to give them this bread "for all time." Jesus responds by saying that they should never crave or long for it at any time.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "come" is not an active verb but a participle, "coming."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "believe" is not an active verb but a participle, "believing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "on" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" probably does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "at any time" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whoever" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "come" is not an active verb but a participle, "coming."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "will" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whoever" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "believe" is not an active verb but a participle, "believing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "in" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "will" probably does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "at any time" is not shown in the English translation.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
am -- The verb "am" 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. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."-- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
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.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "this" -- (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. This points to the life he is describing, one without hunger and thirst.
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.
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.
cometh -- (WF) The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. The form is a participle, "coming."
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards," "by reason of (for)," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing it specifically means "towards."
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
never -- The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
hunger; - "Hunger" is from a Greek verb that means "to be hungry" or "to be starved," and it is a metaphor for desire and cravings.
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."
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.
believeth -- The Greek word translated as "believe" does not apply to religious belief as much as it does trusting in other people, especially their word. Christ usually uses it in contexts, as the one here, that apply to trusting words. The negation of "belief" with the objective, instead of subjective, negative, equates trust with a fact.
on -- (CW) The word translated as "on" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. This does not likely mean "on me" here, but "as much as."
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
shall -- -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense but the verb could also indicate possibility at some time, "should" or "might" happen. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. Most likely, Jesus meant a possibility, not the future tense because the previous verb wasn't in a future form.
never -- The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
thirst. - "Thirst" is another common verb that means "to thirst," "to be thirsty," and "to thirst after" a thing. It is the same verb used in the fourth beatitude.
missing "at any time" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "at any time" or "ever yet."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
am -- The verb "am" 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. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."-- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
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.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "this" -- (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. This points to the life he is describing, one without hunger and thirst.
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.
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.
comes -- (WF) The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. The form is a participle, "coming."
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards," "by reason of (for)," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing it specifically means "towards."
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
will -- (CW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
never -- The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
go hungry,; - "Go hungry" is from a Greek verb that means "to be hungry" or "to be starved," and it is a metaphor for desire and cravings.
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."
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.
believes -- The Greek word translated as "believe" does not apply to religious belief as much as it does trusting in other people, especially their word. Christ usually uses it in contexts, as the one here, that apply to trusting words. The negation of "belief" with the objective, instead of subjective, negative, equates trust with a fact.
in -- (CW) The word translated as "in" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure. This does not likely mean "in me" here, but "as much as."
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
will -- (CW) This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense but the verb could also indicate possibility at some time, "should" or "might" happen. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. Most likely, Jesus meant a possibility, not the future tense because the previous verb wasn't in a future form.
never -- The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
be thirsty.. - "Be thirsty" is another common verb that means "to thirst," "to be thirsty," and "to thirst after" a thing. Again, it is the same verb used in the fourth beatitude.
missing "at any time" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "at any time" or "ever yet."
Ἐγώ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "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.
εἰμι [614 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "Am" 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. -- 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. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."-- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄρτος [32 verses](noun pl masc nom)"Bread" is artos, which means specifically a "cake of whole wheat bread," and generally "loaf," and "bread."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "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.
ζωῆς [42 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "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.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "He" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐρχόμενος [198 verses] (part sg pres mp masc nom) "That cometh" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "Unto" is from pros, which means "from (place)," "on the side of," "toward," "before," "in the presence of," "in the eyes of," "before (supplication, a judge, a witness)," "near" a time, "for" the moment, "proceeding from (for effects)," "dependent on," "derivable from," "agreeable," "in comparison with," "becoming," "like," "at the point of," "in addition to," "against," and "before." It also means "dependent upon."
ἐμὲ [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Never" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
πεινάσῃ [9 verses] (3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall...hunger" is peinao, which means "to be hungry," "crave after," or "to be starved," and it is a metaphor for desire and cravings.
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) "He" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πιστεύων[69 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "That believeth" is pisteuo, which means "to trust, put faith in, or rely on a person," "to believe in someone's words," "to comply," "to feel confident in a thing," and "to entrust in a thing."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "On" 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)."
ἐμὲ [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Never" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
διψήσει [10 verses](3rd sg aor subj act or 3rd sg fut ind act) "Thirst" is dipsao, which means "to thirst," "to be thirsty," "to be parched," "to be in want of," "to lack," and "to thirst after" a thing.
πώποτε [3 verses] (adv) Untranslated is from popote, which means "ever yet." --