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

NIVUK Jesus

Jesus answered, ‘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.

Words to the People

26 Jesus answered, ‘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.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’

Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’

So they asked him, ‘What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?

Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’

Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’

‘Sir,’ they said, ‘always give us this bread.’

Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.’

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.