John 6:6

6 (Now he said this to test him, because he knew what he was going to do.)

John 6:6 Meaning and Commentary

John 6:6

And this he said to prove him
Or "tempting him", trying his faith, and not only his, but the rest of the disciples; not as ignorant of it himself, but in order to discover it to him and them, and to prepare them for the following miracle; and that it might appear the more illustrious and marvellous:

for he himself knew what he would do;
Christ had determined to work a miracle, and feed the large number of people that were with him, with that small provision they had among them; and being God omniscient, he knew that he was able to do it, and that he was determined to do it, and it would be done; but he was willing first to try the faith of his apostles.

John 6:6 In-Context

4 (Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.)

5 {Then Jesus, when he looked up} and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread so that these [people] can eat?"

6 (Now he said this to test him, because he knew what he was going to do.)

7 Philip replied to him, "Two hundred denarii [worth of] bread would not be enough for them, in order that each one could receive a little."

8 One of his disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,