King James Version

What Does John 6:57 Mean?

John 6:57 in the King James Version says “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. — study this verse from John chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

John 6:57 · KJV


Context

55

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This verse unveils Trinitarian relationality as the model for salvation. The 'living Father' (ho zōn patēr) possesses life inherently and eternally. The Son lives 'by' (dia) the Father—not that the Father causes the Son's existence (contra Arianism), but that the Son's mission and work proceed from the Father's sending. The parallel 'so he that eateth me...shall live by me' (kagō zēsō di' auton) establishes believers' relationship to Christ as analogous to Christ's relationship to the Father. As the Son derives His missional life from the Father, believers derive spiritual life from Christ. This is union with Christ—participating in the very life of the Trinity. Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation is fundamentally Trinitarian: the Father sends the Son, the Son accomplishes redemption, the Spirit applies it, bringing believers into fellowship with the Triune God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This Trinitarian statement would baffle Jesus's Jewish hearers who knew God as one (Shema: Deuteronomy 6:4) but struggled to grasp the plurality within divine unity. Jesus claims to 'live by the Father' while being sent by the Father, indicating both distinction of persons and unity of essence. Early Christological controversies (Arianism, Apollinarianism, Nestorianism) wrestled with how Christ relates to the Father. The Nicene formulation (325 CE) used Jesus's own words to establish that the Son is 'begotten not made, of one substance with the Father.' The church fathers, especially Athanasius, saw in verses like this the full deity of Christ and the relational nature of the Trinity. Believers' union with Christ brings them into this eternal relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Trinitarian model of the Son's relationship to the Father shape our understanding of salvation?
  2. What does it mean that believers 'live by' Christ as Christ lives by the Father?
  3. How does union with Christ bring us into relationship with the entire Trinity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
καθὼς1 of 19

As

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἀπέστειλέν2 of 19

hath sent

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

με3 of 19

me

G3165

me

4 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζήσεται5 of 19

live

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

πατέρα6 of 19

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

κἀγὼ7 of 19

and I

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

ζήσεται8 of 19

live

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

δι'9 of 19

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸν10 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα11 of 19

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

καὶ12 of 19

so

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

13 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρώγων14 of 19

he that eateth

G5176

or perhaps rather of a base of g5167 and g5149 through the idea of a craunching sound; to gnaw or chew, i.e., (generally) to eat

με15 of 19

me

G3165

me

κἀκεῖνος16 of 19

even he

G2548

likewise that (or those)

ζήσεται17 of 19

live

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

δι'18 of 19

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ἐμέ19 of 19

me

G1691

me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 6:57 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 6:57 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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