John 6:62-63
What is written? (ESV)
Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
What does it say?
Jesus has just fed the large crowd (5,000 men) by performing a miracle and departed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee by walking on the water and calming the storm along the way. The next day, the crowd again finds him in order to be fed, and a discussion contrasting physical and spiritual food ensues. Jesus asks what they would think of seeing the Son of Man ascend to where He was before. The Spirit gives life; the flesh offers no help. His words are spirit and life.
What is its immediate context?
How John 6:62-63 is applied across Bible answers
Why did Jesus perform miracles?
John records 'the rest of the story' - something Matthew1 and Mark2 (or Luke) don't record. Jesus refuses to perform another miracle, making the point that even them seeing Him go back to heaven would not convince them. Rather than physical food, it is the Spirit that sustains life - specifically, His words.
