John 6:28–33

Verse 30. What sign then dost thou shew? And foreseeing that he might, with great propriety, allege the recent miracle, they contrast it with what Moses performed in the desert. It is true, they say, you once fed 5,000 persons with five loaves; but our fathers, to the number of 600,000 did eat, not for once, but during forty years, manna in the desert; a species of food infinitely superior to barley bread. V. See Numbers 1:46.

Verse 31. Christ having declared that he was greater than Moses, (since Moses could not promise them bread which should never perish) the Jews wished for some sign by which they might believe in him; therefore they say: Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, but you have only given us bread; where then is the food that perishes not? Christ therefore answers them, that the food which Moses gave them, was not the true manna from heaven, but that it was only a figure of himself, who came down from heaven to give life to the world. Saint Augustine—S. Chrysostom observes, that the Jews here acknowledge Christ to be God, since they entreat Christ not merely to ask his Father to give it them; but, do thou thyself give it us.

Greek and Hebrew use the same word for “heaven”, “the heavens”, “the sky”, and “the air”.

Verse 32. Moses gave you not bread from heaven; that is the manna was not given to your forefathers by Moses, but by God’s goodness. 2dly. Neither came it from heaven, but from the clouds, or from the region of the air only. 3dly. It did not make them that eat it live for ever; but they that spiritually eat me, the living bread; that is, believe in me, and keep my commandments, shall live for ever.—V. 37, 44, and 66. No one can come to me, unless the Father draw him. [1] These verses are commonly expounded of God’s elect; who are not only called, but saved, by a particular mercy and providence of God. God is said to draw them to himself by special and effectual graces, yet without any force or necessity, without prejudice to the liberty of their free-will. A man, says Saint Augustine is said to be drawn by his pleasures, and by what he loves. Witham.

Verse 33. A life of immortality and eternal happiness to all who worthily receive it.