Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

John

John 
Day 
Day 93

John 6:22-71 "DEEP FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE"

Day 93 – John 6

DEEP FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Every language has its own figures of speech. Jesus used a number of types of figures of speech to communicate deep spiritual truths. It was always His prerogative to choose how He would speak. He could have chosen to speak plainly, or He could have chosen to use rich and deep figurative language. He chose the latter.

A figure of speech was sometimes called a “dark saying”. Consider this statement found in the beginning of the Book of Proverbs.

“To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment and equity…”
Proverbs 1:2-3

The goals for the writing of the Book of Proverbs couldn’t be more clearly stated in these words. However, the means of reaching these goals are quite another matter.

“A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.”
Proverbs 1:5-6

An “enigma” is a saying that contains a hidden meaning. A synonym for this word would be a “riddle”.

The Book of Psalms did not only contain hymns of praise and prayers to God. They were sometimes used to communicate deep and challenging words of wisdom. Consider this statement.

“My mouth shall speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart shall
give understanding.
I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.”
Psalm 49:3-4

The use of deep figurative language is perfectly legitimate. Jesus’ use of deep figurative language effectively demonstrated that He was a Teacher of deep wisdom. It is certainly not easy to use deep figurative language at all. Firstly, there must be a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom. Without that reservoir, it is not even possible to think about using proverbs, enigmas, riddles, parables or other forms of deep figurative language.

Secondly, the Teacher who uses figurative language normally employs it to enhance the thinking skills of His disciples. The pupil begins to realize that his Teacher has several lessons for him to learn when he hears his Master. With practice he learns deep and wonderful truths from the hidden truths contained in figurative language.

A VEILED REFERENCE TO THE DEATH OF THE MESSIAH

The Messiah had hardly begun His ministry, but He had already commenced preparing His Disciples for the eventuality of His death. Jesus had promised that He would give to all who believed in Him everlasting life. He also proclaimed that He was the living Bread that came down from heaven. He who partook of that living Bread would not perish. How was this possible? In answer to this question, Jesus offered this enigmatic saying.

“I am the living Bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;
and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give
for the life of this world.”
John 6:51

Would His hearers understand what He really meant? The Jews heard this saying, and as may be expected of them, they challenged and ridiculed what Jesus said. John noted their reaction.

“The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying,
‘How can this man give us His flesh to eat?'”
John 6:52

They had chosen to take the words of Jesus in the most wooden-literal fashion. They derided the idea that Jesus could give His flesh to be eaten! The very idea was repugnant. The Jews refused to consider the possibility that Jesus could have meant something else. They were out to find fault with Him. They would do anything possible to cast aspersions on Him.

Jesus, unperturbed went on to teach in the same vein.

“Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life,
and I will raise Him up at the last day.
For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.”
John 6:53-55

How would The Jews understand this deeper figurative language if they could not comprehend the easier forms? The “bread” that Jesus would give was His “flesh” or His “body”. He would give His body for the life of the world (John 6:51).

Jesus, with great deliberate purpose extended this figure of speech. As God once told Ezekiel to eat the scroll given to him, so Jesus now extended the figure of speech of eating and drinking His body and blood. Obviously, this enigmatic saying of Jesus could not have been understood literally. However, if they had God as their Teacher He would help them comprehend this “dark saying”. But did The Jews even have a basic faith in the God of their fathers? The reaction of The Jews would indicate otherwise!