John 6:58–59

In the conclusion of this discourse, 1. Christ repeateth his former doctrine, pointing out his excellency as bread of life, from his divine original; his excellency above Manna; and the effects of feeding on him. 2. John designes the place where Christ preached his Sermon, which was their Synagogue at Capernaum, or the place where they of that City did assemble (as the word signifieth) for reading the Law, and ordinary moral worship. This erecting of Synagogues in the several places of the Land, hath beene of old appointed by God for the peoples edification, albeit they behoved to performe ceremonial worship in the Temple at Jerusalem. See Act. 15.21. with Psal. 74.8. And the designation of the place is recorded here, to shew that at this Christ closed his sermon, and that what is after recorded, was onely occasionall, and upon their removall, or after they were gone thence.

From verse 58. Learn, 1. The blinde and corrupt hearts of men are not easily brought to close with saving truths, but either they do reject them, or do soone forget and let them slip; So much doth this inculcating of the commendation of this heavenly bread, import. 2. It is absolutely necessary, that men do not halt nor hesitate in the matter of closing with Christ, and feeding upon him; but that over all impediments, they take up their need of him, and make use of him accordingly; Therefore it is so much born upon them, again and again. 3. Ministers must not be weary to presse ill learned truths, but their inculcating them is one mean to make them be received: for, therefore doth Christ tell the same things over again. 4. One main impediment unto the successe of truth, is mens natural inclination to their old errours and principles, and their unwillingnesse to quit them; for, so is here imported, that Moses and the Manna which came from heaven, did so stick with them, that they could dreame of nothing so excellent; and therefore he takes pains to refute this. 5. Christ being known in his true excellency and worth, both in respect of his Original, and the benefits which are conferred by him, will be found farre above any thing men doat on, and richly able to make them happy; Therefore is he held out here as come down from heaven, and making men to live for ever, neither of which could be said of Manna, as hath already been cleared.

From verse 59. Learn, 1. When the Lord brings a Nation into visible Covenant with himself, it is his will, that care be had to keep up his worship, and to spread the knowledge of his name in all the corners of the Land; for, to this end did their many Synagogues tend. 2. It is the duty of Christs servants, to take hold of all occasions within the compasse of their calling, to publish truth, and work upon souls: for, therefore did Christ teach in the Synagogue of Capernaum, that he might take occasion to speak to many when they conveened there. 3. However men disrelish Christs doctrine, yet it is truth, and so innocent and harmlesse, that it needs not seek a corner, but may be avowed; Therefore he went publickly to the Synagogue with it. See Matth. 26.55. John 18.20. 4. Christ takes notice of places where he hath preached, and what means he sends to such and such places; that as hereby he testifieth his respects, so their conviction may be greater, if they bring not forth answerable fruits; therefore is it recorded that this was done in Capernaum, where he often taught, but with small fruit, Matth. 11.23.