Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

JOHN 6:34KJV
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John 6:34 (KJV)

What does John 6:34 mean?

John 6:34 shows the crowd asking Jesus to always give them the "bread" He just spoke about, thinking of it as a physical gift that would satisfy their needs. They call Jesus "Lord" and express a desire for this bread continually, not yet understanding the deeper meaning He intends.

In this scene, people are responding to Jesus after He described Himself as the one who can give "the bread of God" that gives life to the world. The crowd, likely remembering the miracle of the loaves and fishes, is eager for a constant supply of this bread, still thinking in terms of food for their bodies rather than spiritual nourishment.

The Greek behind John 6:34

  • κύριε (kurie, "Lord"): This word can mean "sir" or "master," and here it shows respect for Jesus, though it may not mean they fully recognize Him as divine.
  • πάντοτε (pantote, "evermore"): This word means "always" or "at all times," highlighting that the crowd wants this bread on an ongoing basis, not just as a one-time gift.
  • τὸν ἄρτον (ton arton, "this bread"): The Greek word for "bread" can mean literal bread, but in this context, Jesus is about to reveal it as a symbol for Himself and the life He offers.

Why John 6:34 matters

  • John 6:34 shows that the crowd is still thinking in physical terms, not yet grasping Jesus’ spiritual message about Himself as the true bread from heaven.
  • This verse sets up Jesus’ next statement, where He clarifies that He Himself is the "bread of life," shifting the conversation from physical needs to spiritual fulfillment.
  • The way the crowd addresses Jesus as "Lord" hints at respect but also shows their limited understanding, which becomes a key theme in the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“evermore” Greek G3842 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
  • Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

“this” Greek G5126 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
  • John 6:58 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.
  • Acts 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

“bread” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.