The Book of John - 32

Introduction - We are entering into a new chapter in the book of John.

John chapter 6 is perhaps one of my favorite chapters in all of the book of John.

This chapter is one of the longest chapters in the New Testament, containing 71 verses.

(The longest in the book of John.)

This morning, we will begin with a brief overview of the chapter before delving into the verse-by-verse exposition.

Let’s begin by reading the chapter together.

Let’s pray.

As we begin to examine this passage in its entirety, I want to remind you that we are in section 3 and 4 of our outline:

III. The Coming Rejection of the Word 5-6:60

IV. The Conflict with the Word 6:60-12:50

We saw in the last chapter the beginning of this conflict with the healing of the impotent man.

It is interesting as we come to into chapter 6, that even though this conflict is on the rise, we come to a place where the Lord sees multitudes of people following after Him.

There are really two major sections in this chapter, the first is:

A. The Demonstration of His Power In Miracles vs. 1-21

1. The Feeding of the 5000. vs. 1-15

2. The Walking on the Water. vs. 16-21

B. The Demonstration of His Power in Message

1. The Discourse on the Bread of Life. vs. 22-59

2. The Discourse with the Disciples. vs. 60-71

We understand that these records are intended not only to make one wise unto Salvation (2 Timothy 3:15; John 20:31) but also to teach us about our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (John 5:39).

The feeding of the 5000 is so important that it is recorded in all of the Gospel records.

Merril C Tenney had this to say “The narrative on which the discourse on the bread of life depends is common to all four Gospels. Since it is the only miracle recorded by all of them, it must have been regarded as possessing singular importance.”

Merrill C. Tenney, John: The Gospel of Belief, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 111.

Matthew 14:13-21 ; Mark 6:30-44 ; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15

I like the big picture that Warren Wiersbe gives in His outlines concerning the sign miracles recorded in the book of John.

He states, “The first three signs (turning the water into wine, the healing of the noblemen’s son, and the healing of the impotent man) illustrate how one is saved by the Word, by faith, and by grace. The fourth sign (feeding the 5,000) shows us that salvation satisfies the inner needs of the heart.”

And we will camp on that thought as we go through this passage because I believe that it is the overwhelming testimony of this passage, which every lost person ought to take heed, but further, every Christian ought to remember.

Feeding the 5,000 (6:1–14)—Salvation brings satisfaction

Stilling the storm (6:15–21)—Salvation brings peace

Healing the blind man (9:1–7)—Salvation brings light

Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:34–46)—Salvation brings life

Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 226.

Not only do we see in this passage this precious sign, but we also see some intimate work being done in the life of disciples (6:16-21), both those who are true disciples and those who are false.

In Verse 66, we read the disheartening words, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

In opposition to this, we read in verses 67-69, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It is interesting to note also that John does not record the retirement of Caesarea Philippi, with Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20).

Peter’s confession is similar to what we find here in verse 69.

As we read this chapter, we should understand that this time is the height of the Lord’s popularity as His fame spreads through the regions of Galilee.

With all of that understanding, let’s begin by looking at the first several verses.

A. The Demonstration of His Power In Miracles vs. 1-21

Notice with me in verse 1, the introduction to these next sign miracles.

John 6:1 tells us “After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.”

The phrase “After these things...” presents a continuation of the narrative in the book of John.

It should be noted, though, that this is not a strict chronology.

According to verse 2, there is much that took place prior to this record.

John 6:2 “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.”

The plural pronoun ‘them’ in verse 2, signifies this not simply referring to the healing of the impotent man (from chapter 5).

In Matthew 14:14, a parallel account the Bible says, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

When we look at chapters 5 and 6, we immediately jump from Jerusalem (5:1) in chapter 5 to the region of Galilee (6:1) in chapter 6.

John Philips tells us that chapter 6 “contains all that John has to say about an entire year’s Galilean ministry in the life of the Lord.”

While the synoptic Gospels record two dozen different incidences, they are wholly ignored by John.

This once again emphasizes to us the very unique purpose and nature of this gospel record.

This passage also tells us that these things take place in the region of Galilee, and specifically the sea of Galilee which is called here the Sea of Tiberias.

The synoptic writer focus alot of attention to the Lord’s ministry in this northern area.

The sea is a large body of fresh water located below the headwaters of the Jordan River. Mentioned 197 times in the Bible

The Sea of Galilee is about thirteen miles long and eight miles wide.

It is the largest fresh water lake in Israel. It lies 60 miles north-east of Jerusalem. It is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea, a salt lake), at levels between 215 and 209 meters (705 and 686 ft) below sea level.

It is mentioned by several different names in the Scriptures.

In Luke 5:1 it is called the Sea of Genesserat. Here it is called the Sea of Tiberias, and in Numbers 34, it is refers to as the Sea of Chinnereth.

The word ‘Chinnereth’ of which Genesserat (Hebrew word used kinnerôth or kinnereth) is believed to be derived from the word kinnôr, which means harp--- because the Sea itself is shaped like a harp.

(Map of Galilee)

The name Sea of Tiberias given to us here gives reference to a Roman city recently founded by Herod Antipas called Tiberias.

As we think about Heron Antipas we are reminded that just prior to this time, John the Baptist had been murdered by Herod Antipas (Matthew 14) for His declaration of truth just prior to this time in Galilee.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 14:13 “13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.”

The city Tiberias was named in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberias.

“Many of the inhabitants were Greeks and Romans, and foreign customs prevailed there: to such an extent as to give offence to the stricter Jews.” (Smith Bible Dictionary)

“During Jesus’ ministry, Tiberias functioned as the capital of Galilee.”

And so the Lord has apparently healed many sick and diseased and “went over the sea” from one side to another.

“The Lord is on the west side (Jewish side) of the sea. To flee from the crowd and get some rest, Jesus must go to the eastern side (Gentile side) of the sea. The trip across is about a four-mile trip. The multitudes were enamored by the miracles and follow the boat. They crossed rugged hills and terrain and also the Jordan River to get to Jesus. This most likely was the Golan Heights area. (Mattoon)

Verse 2 tells us, “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.”

The two words used here to express following and seeing His miracles indicate that they had been following the Lord for some time.

The disctance that these travelled by foot to follow the Lord is thought by some to be about nine miles.

This will be important later on as we think about the conversations that take place with the Lord.