The Murmuring of the Jews. The changes of persons here (cf. John 6:22, the multitude), and of place in John 6:59, show that this chapter is not intended to record a continuous conversation, but to give specimens of Christ's teaching as the author has come to see its meaning, of objections raised and how they were answered. Jesus-' claims are challenged on the ground of His lowly origin (cf. Luke 4:22; Mark 6:3). The answer takes up the thought of John 6:37-40. Those alone will accept such an one to whom the Father gives the grace to hear the teaching promised in the prophets (Isaiah 54:13). All, who will hear, shall be taught, though (John 6:46) the teaching is not given by direct vision, but through faith in God's Messenger. In John 6:48 ff. the meaning of what has preceded is summed up. Jesus is the support of men's spiritual life. The old manna could not avert physical death, the new brings true life, over which physical death has no power. The thought is now carried to a further stage, which could hardly have had any meaning to the men of Christ's own generation. The bread which He will give, His flesh, is for the life of the world, a declaration of the propitiatory character of Christ's death, which clearly reflects later thought (cf. Scott, pp. 122ff.).
Related Commentaries of John 6:41
John 6:41-51
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said,I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith,I came down from heaven?
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.