“Sir,” they said, “give us this bread at all times.”
34. Give us always this bread. There is no doubt that they speak ironically, to accuse Christ of vain boasting, when he said that he was able to give the bread of life. Thus wretched men, while they reject the promises of God, are not satisfied with this evil alone, but put Christ in their room, as if he were chargeable with their unbelief.
Christ let them question Him freely, no small condescension. The wise teacher listens swiftly and turns even foolish questions toward what profits. These Galileans asking "What shall we do?" show a teachable mind, unlike the Judean critics who came only to cavil. He answers the sincere request, not the impertinent quibble.
AI summary
Commenting on John 6:28-59
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life,.... Christ is so called, because he gives life to dead sinners: men in a state of nature are dead in trespasses and sins; and whatever they feed upon tends to death; Christ, the true bread, only gives life, which is conveyed by the word, and made effectual by the Spirit: and because he supports...