Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 6:56
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
56. dwelleth in me, and I in him ] Or, abideth in Me and I in him. This is one of S. John’s very characteristic phrases to express the most intimate mutual fellowship and union. The word ‘abide’ is also characteristic, as we have seen. Comp. Joh 14:10; Joh 14:20, Joh 15:4-5, Joh 17:21 ; 1Jn 3:24; 1Jn 4:16. Christ is at once the centre and circumference of the life of the Christian; the source from which it springs, and the ocean into which it flows; its starting-point and its goal.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Dwelleth in me – Is truly and intimately connected with me. To dwell or abide in him is to remain in the belief of his doctrine, and in the participation of the benefits of his death. Compare Joh 15:1-6; Joh 17:21-23.
I in him – Jesus dwells in believers by his Spirit and doctrine. When his Spirit is given them to sanctify them; when his temper, his meekness, his humility, and his love pervade their hearts; when his doctrine is received by them and influences their life, and when they are supported by the consolations of the gospel, it may be said that he abides or dwells in them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 56. Dwelleth in me, and I in him.] Of all connections and unions, none is so intimate and complete as that which is effected by the digestion of aliments, because they are changed into the very substance of him who eats them; and this our Lord makes the model of that union which subsists between himself and genuine believers. He lives in them, and they in him; for they are made partakers of the Divine nature: 2Pe 1:4. To this verse the following addition is made in the Codex Bezae, three copies of the Itala, and Victorinus. After these words-dwelleth in me, and I in him, they add, as the Father in me, and I in the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that unless ye receive the body of the Son of man as the bread of life, ye have not life in him. This is a very remarkable addition, and is between thirteen and fourteen hundred years old.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He that acknowledgeth and receiveth me, though he seeth me as a man, consisting of flesh and blood, and that particularly applies himself to me as dying for the sins of the world, and committeth his soul in all its concerns for life and salvation to me, is united to me, and I to him: he is united to me by faith and love, Eph 3:17; 1Jo 3:23,24; 4:16; and I am united to him by a mutual love, Joh 14:23, and by my Holy Spirit. As our bread and meat, which we are nourished by, doth not dwell in us, and nourish, unless we eat it; so neither doth Christ do good to any soul, unless such a soul as by faith receiveth him, and believeth in him. What is said in this verse maketh it evident that these verses cannot be understood of any sacramental eating, for it is not true that Christ dwelleth in every soul, or that every soul dwelleth and abideth in Christ, who doth sacramentally eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ. All unions are either natural or political unions. The strictest natural union is that of the head and members, the vine and the branches. The strictest political union is that of the husband and wife, Gen 2:24. The union betwixt Christ and a believing soul is set out by all these, Joh 15:1; Eph 5:30,31; Col 1:18. For the nature of this union, see divines who have wrote on this argument.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
56. He that eateth . . . dwelleth inme and I in himAs our food becomes incorporated withourselves, so Christ and those who eat His flesh and drink His bloodbecome spiritually one life, though personallydistinct.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,…. In the sense above given; [See comments on Joh 6:53];
dwelleth in me, and I in him. There is a mutual indwelling of Christ, and believers; Christ is the habitation, or dwelling place of his people: there is a secret dwelling in Christ; so the elect of God dwelt in the heart, and in the hands, and arms of Christ from everlasting; and as members in their head in election grace; and representatively in him, as the Mediator of the covenant; and they secretly and safely dwelt in him, when all mankind fell in Adam; and when he was on the cross, in the grave, and now he is in heaven; all which is owing to his own love, his Father’s gift, and to secret union to him. But there is an open dwelling in him in time, which is here meant: God’s elect, as in their natural state, are without Christ, and lie open to the law and justice of God; the Spirit of God convinces them of this state, and directs them to flee to Christ, as a city of refuge; when they find him a stronghold, a place of defence, and a proper dwelling for them, where they resolve to abide, and do abide; and where they dwell safely, peaceably, comfortably, and pleasantly; and from which dwelling place they will never be turned out. Likewise, the saints are the habitation or dwelling place of Christ; he dwells not in their heads and to tongues, but in their hearts, and by faith; which is here expressed, by eating his flesh, and drinking his blood; and which, though it is not the cause of Christ’s dwelling here, yet is the means or instrument by which men receive him into their hearts, and retain him, and have communion with him; for he dwells in believers, not in such sense as he dwells in the world, by his omnipresence, and power; or in the human nature, by hypostatical union to it; but by his Spirit, and by faith, which is an instance of wonderful condescending grace, and is owing to union to him, and is expressive of communion with him, and is what will continue for ever.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Abideth in me and I in him ( ). Added to the phrase in 54 in the place of (has eternal life). The verb (to abide) expresses continual mystical fellowship between Christ and the believer as in John 15:4-7; 1John 2:6; 1John 2:27; 1John 2:28; 1John 3:6; 1John 3:24; 1John 4:12; 1John 4:16. There is, of course, no reference to the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist), but simply to mystical fellowship with Christ.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Dwelleth [] . Render, as Rev., abideth. The word is a favorite one with John, occurring more frequently than in all the rest of the New Testament.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “He that eateth my flesh,” (ho trogon mou ten sarka) “The one who eats my flesh,” which is the “bread of life,” the living bread,” that came down from heaven, Joh 6:47-51; He who receives this death for his sins in His body on the tree, by faith, is saved and is said to dwell in Christ, 1Pe 2:24; Eph 1:7; Joh 6:47.
2) “And drinketh my blood,” (kai pinon nou to haima) “And drinks my blood,” takes or accepts my blood as a propitiation, covering, or satisfaction, for his sin-thirsty soul, 1Jn 4:10, as Israel drank the water from the rock to be physically sustained in life, 1Co 10:4.
3) “Dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (en emoi menei kago en auto) “He resides in me and I reside in him,” as expressed also, “Christ in you the hope of glory,” Col 1:27; Joh 17:23; 1Jn 4:12; 1Jn 4:15-16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
56. He who eateth my flesh. This is another confirmation; for while he alone has life in himself, he shows how we may enjoy it, that is, by eating his flesh; as if he had affirmed that there is no other way in which he can become ours, than by our faith being directed to his flesh. For no one will ever come to Christ as God, who despises him as man; and, therefore, if you wish to have any interest in Christ, you must take care, above all things, that you do not disdain his flesh.
Dwelleth in me, and I in him. When he says that he dwelleth in us, the meaning is the same as if he had said, that the only bond of union, and the way by which he becomes one with us, is, when our faith relies on his death. We may likewise infer from it, that he is not now speaking of the outward symbol, which many unbelievers receive equally with believers, and yet continue separated from Christ. It enables us also to refute the dream of those who say, that Judas received the body of Christ as well as the other apostles, when Christ gave the bread to all; for as it is a display of ignorance to limit this doctrine to the outward sign, so we ought to remember what I have formerly said, that the doctrine which is here taught is sealed in the Lord’s Supper. Now, it is certain, in the first place, that Judas never was a member of Christ; secondly, it is highly unreasonable to imagine the flesh of Christ to be dead and destitute of the Holy Spirit; and, lastly, it is a mockery to dream of any way of eating the flesh of Christ without faith, since faith alone is the mouth — so to speak — and the stomach of the soul.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(56) Dwelleth in me, and I in him.Abideth gives the sense more fully. (Comp. Joh. 14:2-23; Joh. 15:4 et seq.; Joh. 17:23; 1Jn. 3:24; 1Jn. 4:16.) It is one of those deeper thoughts which meet us only in the words of the beloved disciple. The union which results from the communication of life is not temporary, but is one that remaineth. By virtue of it we abide in Christ, and He in us. It is our home life, that of every day, and will be the life of the eternal home (Joh. 14:2). (Comp. Note on Joh. 5:38, and the contrast in Joh. 3:36.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Joh 6:56. Dwelleth in me, and I in him, “We are most intimately connected together in the closest union, communion, and friendship; and therefore whatever blessings I can bestow, whether by my own power, or by my intercession with the Father, or by the influences of my Spirit; my faithful friends shall enjoy them in full perfection.” The expression of persons dwelling in each other, occurs frequently in St. John’s writings, and denotes the closest union of affections and interests: wherefore, according to the grand figure made use of by St. Paul, it signifies that he who truly believes on Christ, is so united to him, as to be a member of his body, and consequentlya partaker with him of his life, and, if faithful unto death, of his glory, and of all the happiness which he himself enjoys, or is able to communicate.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 6:56-57 . A statement parallel with what precedes, concerning him “who eats,” etc., and explaining how that comes to pass which is said of him in Joh 6:54 .
] an expression distinctively Johannean of abiding, inner, and mutual fellowship (Joh 15:4 ff., Joh 17:23 ; 1Jn 3:24 ; 1Jn 4:16 ), by virtue of which we live and move continually in Christ, and Christ works and rules in our minds, so that thus Christ’s life is the centre and circumference, i.e. the all-determining power of our life.
Joh 6:57 . Consequence of this spiritual union: life, i.e. true imperishable life, as proceeding from the Father to the Son, so from the Son to believers. Observe (1) that the consequent clause does not begin with (Chrysostom and his followers); but, as Joh 6:56 requires, with . . , so also he that eateth me; (2) that in the antecedent clause the emphasis is on and (therefore does not introduce any strange or unnatural thought, as Rckert supposes), while in the consequent it is upon the subject , which accordingly is made prominent by , he also .
] the living Father (comp. Joh 6:26 ), the Living One absolutely, in whose nature there is no element of death, but all is life.
. .] and I by virtue of my community of essence with the Father am alive because of the Father . with the accus. does not denote the cause (Castalio, Beza, De Wette, Gess, Rckert, and several), per patrem; nor for the Father (Paulus, Lange); but, according to the context, the reason: because of the Father, i.e. because my Father is the Living One. See on Joh 15:3 ; Plat. Conv . p. 203 E: ; and see Ngelsbach, Ilias , p. 39 ff. Exo 3 .
] This sufficed to denote the relation, and is in keeping with the transition to Joh 6:58 ; whereas, if the discourse referred to the Lord’s Supper, the eating and drinking of the flesh and blood should again have been mentioned, as in Joh 6:53-56 . Note also that expresses a permanent, continuous relation, not one taking place from time to time, as in the Lord’s Supper.
] in contrast with spiritual and eternal death.
] on account of me , because he thus takes up my life into himself.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Ver. 56. He that eateth my flesh, &c. ] That is, that partaketh of my person, merits, passions, privileges; he that receiveth me in all mine offices and efficacies.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
56. ] He who thus lives upon Me, abides in Me (see ch. Joh 15:5 and note); and I (that living power and nourishment conveyed by the which = ) abide in him. Beware of imagining, as Bp. Wordsw. again (see note on Mat 16:18 ), that there is any especial emphasis on because of its position .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
dwelleth = abideth. Same as “endureth “in Joh 6:27. See note on “abode” in Joh 1:32.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
56.] He who thus lives upon Me, abides in Me (see ch. Joh 15:5 and note);-and I (that living power and nourishment conveyed by the which = ) abide in him. Beware of imagining, as Bp. Wordsw. again (see note on Mat 16:18), that there is any especial emphasis on because of its position.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 6:56. , he who eateth) He who eateth, and that which is eaten, in very deed are intimately joined together.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 6:56
Joh 6:56
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.-He who makes the life of Jesus his life abides in Jesus and Jesus is in him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
He that: Lam 3:24
dwelleth: Joh 14:20, Joh 14:23, Joh 15:4, Joh 15:5, Joh 17:21-23, Psa 90:1, Psa 91:1, Psa 91:9, 2Co 6:16, Eph 3:17, 1Jo 3:24, 1Jo 4:12, 1Jo 4:15, 1Jo 4:16, Rev 3:20
Reciprocal: Deu 32:14 – blood Psa 31:2 – an house Joh 14:19 – because Joh 17:23 – I Joh 17:26 – and I Rom 8:10 – if Christ Rom 16:7 – were 2Co 12:2 – in Christ 2Co 13:5 – Jesus Christ Col 1:27 – Christ Col 3:11 – and 1Jo 2:5 – hereby
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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There is an old saying that “man is what he eats.” That is true, and it applies to this verse, for if Christ dwells in the man who eats of his flesh, then the adage means that if a man eats the flesh of Christ, part of that man is Christ.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 6:56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. The fellowship consists in this, that the believer abides in the Life, and that He who is the Life abides in the believer. Note that here it is not hath eaten; the abiding is dependent on the continuance of the appropriating act.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 56, 57. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57. As the living Father sent me, and I live by the Father, so he who eats me, he also shall live by me.
By drinking through faith at the fountain of the expiation obtained by the blood of Christ and by nourishing oneself through the Spirit on the life realized in His flesh, we contract a union with Him through which His person dwells in us and we in it. This dwellingof the believer in Jesus is for his moral being, as it were, a transplanting from the soil of his own life into the new soil which the perfect righteousness and the holy strength of Christ offer him: renunciation of all merit, all force, all wisdom derived from what belongs to himself, and absolute confidence in Christ, as in Him who possesses all that is needed in order to fill the void. The abiding of Christ, which corresponds to this abiding of the believer in Him, expresses the real effective communication which Christ makes of His own personality (he who eats me Joh 6:57). This mutual relation being formed, the believer lives: why? This is what Joh 6:57 explains.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Because Jesus’ person is what truly satisfies and sustains life those who believe in Him remain (Gr. meno, abide) in Him. This is a new term in the discussion, but it is synonymous with having eternal life. Jesus was saying that believers continue to possess eternal life; they will never lose it. Believers remain in Christ, and He remains in them. Jesus was not speaking here to His disciples about the importance of believers abiding in fellowship with God as He did in chapter 15. Here He was speaking to unbelievers about entering into a saving relationship with God.