John 6:52 Berean Standard Bible
At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”
Berean Study Bible
At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves
...This internal debate among the Jews highlights their struggle to comprehend Jesus' spiritual message, often interpreting His words in a literal sense...
“How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”
This question underscores the literal interpretation of Jesus' metaphorical language. The Jews' incredulity is rooted in their cultural and religious background, where consuming human flesh is strictly forbidden (Leviticus 17:10-14). Their question reveals a lack of understanding of the symbolic nature of Jesus' statement, which foreshadows the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. This phrase also connects to the broader theme of Jesus as the Bread of Life, a fulfillment of Old Testament manna (Exodus 16), and points to the sacrificial nature of His mission. The question anticipates the deeper theological implications of Jesus' sacrifice and the spiritual nourishment He offers, as later expounded in John 6:53-58.
