John 6 Background

Old Testament: The Exodus

The Exodus:

God rescued His people from slavery to the Egyptians, leading them out of Egypt and into the land He had promised to their forefathers. The rescue was accompanied by signs and wonders, of which one of the most crucial was the Passover (described in Exodus 12) when God passed through Egypt in judgement, striking down every firstborn among the Egyptians. There then followed a period of testing, trial, and also further miracles, as the Israelite nation wandered around the wilderness before being brought into the Promised Land. The whole Exodus period was key to Israel’s understanding of herself as a nation belonging to God, and of her God as a God who rescues.

Around the time of the exile, when Israel was driven away from the Promised Land, God promised a new rescue which would take the form of a new Exodus under a new leader (Isaiah 11:15–16). Since then the Jews had been longing for God to bring about this promised rescue. At the time of the Exodus, God had provided certain key events which enabled Israel to look back and remember the character of their God as Rescuer:

The Passover feast:

This was an annual festival instituted by God to ensure that His people remembered the night of escape.

The Manna:

The miraculous provision of bread – called ‘manna’ – sustained the Israelites day by day. It also served other purposes of God, reminding His people of their rescue and testing them, to see whether they really would continue to depend on their Rescuer alone, by keeping His commands (Exodus 16:4).

The Prophet:

In Deuteronomy 18:15–18, God promised Israel a new prophet ‘like Moses’ who would lead them as Moses had done.

Walking on water:

The rescue of the Exodus involved two miraculous partings of water: (i) Moses parted the Red Sea, so that the Israelites could cross over safely, and (ii) Joshua parted the River Jordan, in order to bring them into the Promised Land. There is an allusion to this in Isaiah 11:15.

This chapter reveals that Jesus is God Himself, come to accomplish a new Exodus for His true people; He is the Bread of Life; those who feed on Him know great satisfaction and security.

Psalm 78:

This long psalm, containing many references to the Exodus and the desert wanderings, contrasts the Israelites’ stubborn, unbelieving behaviour with the continued goodness and mercy of God. The reference to this psalm in verse 31 is highly ironic.

John 6:1–21 (ESV)

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “ 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.