John 6:28 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then said they—What shall we do, &c.— The metaphors of meat and drink being very familiar to the Jews, and frequently used in their writings to signify wisdom, knowledge, and grace, (see Proverbs 9:1-5. Isaiah 55:2-3.) they might easily have understood what Jesus meant by the meat enduring to everlasting life. Nevertheless,theymistookhim altogether, imagining that he spake of some delicious, healthful, animal food, which should make men immortal, and which was notto be had but under the Messiah's government. Accordingly, being much affected with his exhortation, they asked him, What they should do to work the works of God? They meant, What they should do to erect the Messiah's kingdom, and to obtain that excellent meat which Jesus said God had authorised the Messiah to give them?—works, which they imagined were prescribed them by God, and would be most acceptable to him. It is proper to observe, that a great part of the energy of this question is lost in our translation, by rendering the word εργασεσθε, John 6:27 labour; it should be rendered work, as it is in this verse, and in John 6:30 for the Greek word is the same in all these places, and the propriety of the questions and answers depends upon it.