The Gospel of John (KJV) continues to reveal the divine nature and mission of Jesus in chapters 6 to 10. These chapters contain some of His most profound miracles, parables, and teachings, offering deeper insights into His role as the Son of God and Savior of the world. The theme of faith and belief is further explored, along with growing opposition from religious leaders.
John 6: The Feeding of the Five Thousand and the Bread of Life
John 6 begins with one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles: the feeding of the five thousand. A large crowd follows Jesus to a mountainside, and He tests His disciple Philip by asking where they can buy bread to feed the people. With only five barley loaves and two small fish, Jesus miraculously feeds the entire crowd, with twelve baskets of leftovers collected afterward. This miracle reveals Jesus’ divine power and provision.
Later, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray, and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee by boat. During the night, a storm arises, and Jesus comes to them walking on the water, another sign of His divine authority over nature. His words, “It is I; be not afraid” (John 6:20 KJV), comfort them as they reach their destination.
The next day, the crowd finds Jesus and questions how He arrived. Jesus responds by shifting the focus from physical sustenance to spiritual nourishment, declaring Himself the Bread of Life: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 KJV). He teaches that believing in Him leads to eternal life, and He introduces the concept of eating His flesh and drinking His blood as a metaphor for accepting His sacrifice.
This teaching causes many of His followers to turn away, finding it too difficult to understand. When Jesus asks the Twelve if they will also leave, Simon Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68 KJV), affirming their faith in Him.
John 7: Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
In John 7, Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, though He initially delays His journey because of the mounting threats against His life. During the feast, Jesus teaches in the temple, and His words stir division among the people. Some believe He is the Messiah, while others question His origins and authority.
One of the key moments in this chapter occurs when Jesus stands up on the last day of the feast and cries out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37 KJV). This invitation reflects His earlier teaching about being the source of living water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, which would be given to believers after His glorification.
The religious leaders are increasingly frustrated with Jesus’ popularity and teachings, and they send officers to arrest Him. However, the officers return empty-handed, stating, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46 KJV). The leaders continue to plot against Jesus, but their plans are delayed as the debate about His identity intensifies.
John 8: The Woman Taken in Adultery and the Light of the World
John 8 opens with the well-known story of the woman caught in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees bring her to Jesus, hoping to trap Him into contradicting the Law of Moses, which required her stoning. Instead, Jesus responds, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7 KJV). One by one, the accusers leave, and Jesus tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11 KJV). This interaction demonstrates Jesus’ mercy and grace, alongside His call for repentance.
The chapter continues with Jesus declaring Himself the Light of the World, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12 KJV). This claim leads to a heated debate with the Pharisees, who challenge His authority. Jesus responds by emphasizing His divine relationship with the Father, stating that He speaks and acts only according to God’s will.
The tension escalates as Jesus tells the religious leaders that unless they believe in Him, they will die in their sins. He proclaims, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58 KJV), claiming the divine name used by God in Exodus. This statement enrages the leaders, and they attempt to stone Him, but Jesus escapes.
John 9: The Healing of the Blind Man
In John 9, Jesus performs a miraculous healing that sparks significant controversy. He encounters a man who was born blind and, in response to His disciples’ questions about the cause of the man’s condition, Jesus states that the man’s blindness was allowed so that “the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3 KJV). Jesus then spits on the ground, makes clay, and anoints the man’s eyes, telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeys and receives his sight.
This miracle leads to a series of investigations by the Pharisees, who are more concerned with the fact that Jesus healed on the Sabbath than the miraculous nature of the healing itself. The healed man testifies that Jesus must be from God because no one else could perform such a miracle. The Pharisees, however, refuse to believe and cast the man out of the synagogue.
When Jesus finds the man again, He reveals Himself as the Son of God, and the man responds in faith, worshiping Him. Jesus then contrasts the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees with the man’s newfound sight, emphasizing that those who claim to see yet reject Him are truly blind.
John 10: The Good Shepherd and the Door
John 10 contains two of Jesus’ most important teachings about His identity and mission. He first presents Himself as the Good Shepherd, explaining that a good shepherd knows His sheep, leads them to safety, and even lays down His life for them. He contrasts Himself with hired hands who flee when danger approaches, revealing His deep love and commitment to those who follow Him.
Jesus also describes Himself as the door to the sheepfold, saying, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9 KJV). This metaphor underscores that salvation and eternal life come exclusively through Him.
Jesus’ claim to lay down His life for the sheep and take it up again points forward to His crucifixion and resurrection. He declares that no one takes His life from Him, but that He willingly lays it down, demonstrating His authority over life and death.
This chapter also highlights the increasing division among the people. Some accuse Jesus of being possessed, while others recognize His divine authority based on His teachings and miracles. The chapter concludes with the religious leaders surrounding Jesus in the temple, demanding that He tell them plainly whether He is the Christ. Jesus responds that His works testify to His identity, but they do not believe because they are not His sheep. He declares, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30 KJV), prompting the leaders to once again attempt to stone Him for blasphemy.
Conclusion
Chapters 6 to 10 of the Gospel of John (KJV) continue to build on the themes of faith, spiritual nourishment, and Jesus’ divine identity. These chapters highlight some of Jesus’ most profound teachings, such as being the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, and the Good Shepherd. They also reveal increasing opposition from religious leaders as Jesus challenges their authority and invites all who believe in Him to experience eternal life. As the tension escalates, Jesus’ mission becomes clearer: He is the Savior who lays down His life for His people and brings spiritual sight to those who are willing to believe.