Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

JOHN 6:14KJV
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John 6:14 (KJV)

What does John 6:14 mean?

John 6:14 describes how the people, after witnessing the miracle Jesus performed, recognized Him as “that prophet” who was expected to come into the world. The crowd openly acknowledged that Jesus must be the promised figure foretold in their Scriptures.

This moment takes place right after Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few loaves and fish. The people speaking are those who experienced the miracle firsthand. Their statement shows they connected Jesus’ actions to ancient prophecies about a great prophet, reflecting their hope and expectation for someone sent by God.

The Greek behind John 6:14

  • σημεῖον (sēmeion, G4592): This word is translated as “miracle” but more literally means “sign.” In John’s Gospel, a “sign” points beyond itself to reveal something about who Jesus is, not just a display of power.
  • ὁ προφήτης (ho prophētēs, G4396): The phrase “that prophet” refers to a specific figure expected by the Jewish people, based on Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses spoke of a prophet like himself whom God would send.
  • ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, G230): Translated as “of a truth,” this word emphasizes the certainty and conviction in the crowd’s declaration—they are not just guessing, but are convinced by what they have seen.

Why John 6:14 matters

  • John 6:14 shows how Jesus’ miracles were seen as fulfillment of Old Testament hopes, especially the promise of a prophet like Moses.
  • The verse highlights the people’s expectation for a deliverer and how Jesus’ actions matched those hopes, setting the stage for later misunderstandings about what kind of leader Jesus would be.
  • This reaction helps explain why the crowd later wanted to make Jesus king by force (John 6:15), showing how their understanding of “the prophet” was tied to political and national hopes.

Where else these words appear

“truth” Greek G230 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
  • Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
  • John 7:40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

“miracle” Greek G4592 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
  • Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
  • Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

“prophet” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?