John 6

[spyderman]

Ferdinand Mary - thanks for reposting the intent of the thread - although you got it only half right. It’s not about when Jesus says something that’s confusing. It’s when Jesus says something confusing and others ask for clarity(the desciples for example)… and the clarity provided is essentially the same message.

 

[Cranch]

Is there another example within scripture that’s similar to the bread of life discourse exodus? Meaning, is there another example when Jesus was asked to clarify his preaching due to confusion of the masses in which he highlighted what he was talking about yet masses of people left in disgust?

I typically (and successfully) use this as a means to represent Jesus’ intended position – suggesting that no place else in the NT was there room for interpretation after Jesus responded to a parable that seemed confusing to the masses and warranted question for clarification.

I don’t think this matches what you’re looking for, but it seems a little similar. Matthew 19:21-26 :

21 Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. 22 And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 25 And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered very much, saying: Who then can be saved?
26 And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible.

 

[slowbutfaithful]

Is there another example within scripture that’s similar to the bread of life discourse exodus? Meaning, is there another example when Jesus was asked to clarify his preaching due to confusion of the masses in which he highlighted what he was talking about yet masses of people left in disgust?

I don’t think there’s another example like this, no. The closest thing I can think of is Mt 16:21-23 when Jesus predicts his suffering, death and resurrection (for the third time) and Peter challenges Him. In a sense, Peter is confused about that Jesus has told him and refuses to believe it. But Jesus rebukes him in pretty strong terms.

 

[Nita]

Simbagizmo mentioned John 3 as possibly another instance that compares to John 6. However, it is not the same. Jesus explains the expression (born again) that was misinterpreted . Nicodemus understood it as a physical rebirth (vs 4) and Jesus gives him the correct understanding - not a physical one but a spiritual one by means of water and the Holy Spirit (vs 5 & 6).

John 3 comes closer. Altho Jesus explains in verse 14 ("…the water that I shall give…to eternal life"), it appears the woman still doesn’t understand - but it doesn’t seem to have been that big an issue for her since she doesn’t question Jesus further; neither does she reject him.

Neither of the incidents involved a large crowd, only a single person.

Nita

 

[RWMorris]

Is there another example within scripture that’s similar to the bread of life discourse exodus?..

1 Corinthians 11:29:
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

• TNIV

It is not a discourse by Jesus, but it is the Word of the Lord.

 

[teachccd]

As a reminder, the topic of this thread is NOT the theology of John 6; it is whether or not there is another place in the NT where Jesus gave a hard saying which was not later explained.
Mane Nobiscum Domine,
Ferdinand Mary

In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 13, Jesus explains the parable of the sower and later explains the parable of the weeds. In Matthew Chapter 16 Jesus has to explain to His knuckle-head disciples what He meant when He spoke of the leaven of the Pharisees. I am not a biblical scholar but it is my understanding that in the sixth chapter of John we see the only time when Jesus lost would- be followers due to His stance on a doctrinal issue. He could not water it down because this message set the stage for the culmination of His mission and the perpetuation for all time. Jesus would not give a hard saying that would be followed by all generations until He comes again at the risk of losing even the original twelve. In reality, He could have lost the whole Church at that moment had they all chosen to leave. Jesus, the God-man, is the full revelation of God and would never leave a group intentionally confused so as to leave Him and return to their former way of living. This would be contrary to His mission. So to sum up my answer, no I have seen nowhere in the NT where such a misunderstanding was left unexplained by our Lord.