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 6:14KJVWhat 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.