John 6:6

6 and this he said, trying him, for he himself had known what he was about 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 and the passover was nigh, the feast of the Jews.

5 Jesus then having lifted up [his] eyes and having seen that a great multitude doth come to him, saith unto Philip, `Whence shall we buy loaves, that these may eat?' --

6 and this he said, trying him, for he himself had known what he was about to do.

7 Philip answered him, `Two hundred denaries' worth of loaves are not sufficient to them, that each of them may receive some little;'

8 one of his disciples -- Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter -- saith to him,