Bible Strands
John 6:59
Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a crowd of followers while teaching in the Capernaum synagogue after declaring Himself the bread that came down from heaven (John 6:58). His statement immediately precedes the reaction of many disciples who find the teaching difficult (John 6:60).
The words — διδάσκων (didaskōn) literally means "teaching," and συναγωγῇ (sunagōgēa) denotes "the synagogue," anchoring the activity and location. Ταῦτα (Tauta) translates to "these things," pointing directly to the preceding declaration about heavenly bread.
The thread — The text places Jesus in the Capernaum synagogue, where the crowd had previously arrived by boat to find Him (John 6:24). The pattern of public proclamation in a communal space parallels Wisdom's voice in the square (Proverbs 1:20) and the psalmist's declaration in the assembly (Psalms 40:9).
Why it lands — The verse records a factual location and activity before noting the resulting friction with listeners. It requires the reader to acknowledge that authoritative teaching occurs within established community structures, demanding a direct response to the claim rather than avoidance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Cross-references
- John 6:24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him.
- Psalms 40:9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.
- Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
- Proverbs 8:1 Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
- Luke 4:31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people.
- John 18:20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.