John 6:52

52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

John 6:52 in Other Translations

KJV
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
ESV
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
NLT
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.
MSG
52 At this, the Jews started fighting among themselves: "How can this man serve up his flesh for a meal?"
CSB
52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?"

John 6:52 Meaning and Commentary

John 6:52

The Jews therefore strove among themselves
Fell to cavilling and disputing one among another; some understanding Christ, and others not; some being for him, and vindicated what he said; and others being against him, and who were the majority, objected,

saying how can this man give us his flesh to eat?
which is to be understood, not physically, but as morally impossible and unlawful; since, with the Jews, it was not lawful to eat the flesh of any creature alive, and much less the flesh of man; for the Jews understood Christ of a corporeal eating of his flesh, being strangers to a figurative or spiritual eating of it by faith, in which sense he meant it.

John 6:52 In-Context

50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S John 1:19
  • 2. John 7:43; John 9:16; John 10:19
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.