What does Jesus mean by "Labour not for the meat which perisheth"?

When Jesus says, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth,” he is not telling people to stop working for their daily food. Instead, he is correcting their main focus. The crowd followed him because he filled their stomachs with bread, but they were missing the deeper meaning of his miracles. The food they wanted would only last a short time, then they would be hungry again. Jesus is urging them to put their greatest effort into seeking the spiritual food he gives, which leads to everlasting life, rather than treating him mainly as a provider of earthly things.

What is "the work of God" that Jesus talks about in this passage?

The people ask Jesus what they must do to work the works of God, thinking in terms of many religious duties. Jesus answers with one clear statement: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” He shifts their focus from trying to earn God’s favor by their own efforts to trusting in the person God has sent. The main thing God calls for is faith in Jesus. True good works flow out of this faith, but the starting point, and what pleases God, is to receive and rely on his Son.

What does Jesus mean when he says, "I am the bread of life"?

When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” he is using bread as a picture of what he is for the soul. Just as bread keeps the body alive, he gives and sustains spiritual life. The crowd had been thinking about the manna their ancestors ate in the desert and about the loaves he had just multiplied. That food fed their bodies for a time, but everyone who ate it eventually died. Jesus says he is the true bread from heaven. Whoever comes to him and believes in him will be satisfied in a deeper way, never spiritually hungry or thirsty again.

Why does Jesus mention manna and say Moses did not give the true bread from heaven?

The people bring up the manna in the desert to ask for another sign, as if saying, “God fed our fathers daily; what will you do?” Jesus corrects their view. He says it was not really Moses who gave the bread, and that manna was not the final, true bread from heaven. It was a temporary gift that kept people alive for a time and pointed forward to something greater. Now, the Father is giving the true bread from heaven, which is Jesus himself. Unlike manna, he gives life to the world and leads to everlasting life for those who believe.

What does "he that cometh to me shall never hunger" mean for believers today?

When Jesus says, “He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst,” he is speaking about spiritual hunger and thirst. Life often leaves people empty, restless, and looking for meaning in many places. Jesus promises that whoever truly comes to him and trusts him will find what their soul needs. This does not mean believers never struggle or feel weak, but it means their deepest need for forgiveness, peace with God, and hope is met in him. He is enough for every season, and there is no need to look elsewhere for spiritual life.

What does Jesus mean by "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me"?

When Jesus says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me,” he is speaking about the people the Father has given to him. This shows that faith is not just a human decision, but a gift that comes from God’s purpose. Everyone the Father gives to the Son will, in time, come to Jesus in faith. At the same time, Jesus adds a warm promise: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” So this verse shows both God’s gracious choice and Christ’s open welcome to every person who comes to him.

What is the Father’s will that Jesus came down from heaven to do?

Jesus says he came down from heaven not to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him. He then explains that will in two ways. First, it is that of all the people the Father has given him, he should lose nothing, but raise them up at the last day. Second, it is that everyone who sees the Son and believes on him should have everlasting life. So the Father’s will is that Jesus saves, keeps, and finally raises up all true believers. Jesus’ whole mission, from beginning to end, is to carry out this saving plan perfectly.

What does it mean that Jesus has been "sealed" by the Father?

When Jesus says, “for him hath God the Father sealed,” he is saying that the Father has marked and approved him for his saving work. In everyday terms, a seal shows ownership, authority, or guarantee. The Father has set his seal on Jesus by giving him power, sending him, and appointing him as the one who gives eternal life. This means we do not need to look for another savior or another way to God. Jesus is the one the Father has authorized. Trusting him is trusting the Father’s own choice and promise for our salvation.

How does this passage give assurance about eternal life and the last day?

This passage is full of steady promises. Jesus says that whoever comes to him he will never cast out. He says it is the Father’s will that he should lose nothing of all that has been given to him, but should raise it up at the last day. He repeats that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him has everlasting life and will be raised up. These words show that eternal life is not a fragile thing based on our strength, but rests on Jesus’ faithfulness to the Father’s will. He will keep his people now and bring them safely to the resurrection.

Why did the crowd still ask for a sign after Jesus fed them with loaves?

Even after being miraculously fed, the crowd asks, “What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?” This shows their hearts were not satisfied with what they had already seen. They were thinking mostly about physical bread and comparing Jesus with the story of manna in the desert. They wanted ongoing proofs and were slow to receive his teaching. Their request reveals that seeing miracles does not automatically create faith. Jesus points them away from craving more signs and toward trusting him as the true bread from heaven, who gives lasting life, not just another meal.

John.6.26

John 6:26

KJV Jesus

Jesus answered them and said, 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.

Words to the People

Jesus answered them and said, 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.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.