John 6:1-29

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on John 6:1-29

1After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias).
2A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick.
3Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples.
4Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near.
5When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?”
6But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.
7Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”
8One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”
10“Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
11Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
12And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
13So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
15Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
16When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them.
18A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated.
19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea — and they were terrified.
20But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
21Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples, but they had gone away alone.
23However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.
25When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
26Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
28Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
29Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
— John 6:1-29

Related Resources from Heartlight

A Great Crowd of People
Illustration of John 6:5-7 NLT

Illustration of John 6:5-7 NLT -- Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"

Eager for His Presence
Illustration of John 6:19-21 NLT

Illustration of John 6:19-21 NLT -- [The disciples] had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!" Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

Attracting a Crowd
Illustration of John 6:1-2 NLT

Illustration of John 6:1-2 NLT -- After [his confrontation with the Jewish leaders], Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.

Leftovers!
Illustration of John 6:12-13 NLT

Illustration of John 6:12-13 NLT -- After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

The One Thing
Illustration of John 6:28-29 NLT

Illustration of John 6:28-29 NLT -- [The people in the crowd] replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent."

Time Together
Illustration of John 6:3-4 NLT

Illustration of John 6:3-4 NLT -- Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)

What Good Is This?
Illustration of John 6:8-9 NLT

Illustration of John 6:8-9 NLT -- Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"

Where do you turn in the storms of life?
Illustration of John 6:20-21

Inspirational illustration of John 6:20-21 they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

[Jesus] said to them, "It is I;...
Illustration of John 6:20-21

Illustration of John 6:20-21 -- [Jesus] said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

A Different Kind of King
Illustration of John 6:15 NLT

Illustration of John 6:15 NLT -- When Jesus saw that [the people who witnessed his miraculous sign] were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Better food.
Illustration of John 6:27

Inspirational illustration of John 6:27 -- Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.

Do not work for food that spoils, but...
Illustration of John 6:27

Illustration of John 6:27 -- Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.

Jesus answered, "The work of God...
Illustration of John 6:29

Illustration of John 6:29 -- Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent."

Jesus answered, "The work of God...
Illustration of John 6:29

Illustration of John 6:29 -- Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Seek the Imperishable
Illustration of John 6:27 NLT

Illustration of John 6:27 NLT -- [Jesus said,] "But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."

Surely!
Illustration of John 6:14 NLT

Illustration of John 6:14 NLT -- When the people saw [Jesus perform the miraculous sign of feeding the 5000], they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"

This is Our #1 Job!
Illustration of John 6:29

Inspirational illustration of John 6:29 -- Jesus answered, The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent.

Prove It Once Again!
Illustration of John 6:29-31 NLT

Illustration of John 6:29-31 NLT -- Jesus told [the people in the crowd], "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

Cross References for John 6:1-29

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

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