Is there any evidence today of this synagogue in
Capernaum?
After lying buried for centuries, the ruins of both Capernaum and its
synagogue were discovered in the nineteenth century.
How large was the synagogue of Capernaum?
The first century synagogue would have been no larger than the fourth
century synagogue built on top of it (photos)
and would be have been hard pressed to fit a hundred people inside.
What does that tell us about the size of the crowd
that chased after Jesus to Capernaum after the feeding miracle the day
before?
It was a small subset of the thousands Jesus had fed (see
Jesus feeds 5000).
Who else was in the audience at this synagogue?
Jesus' “twelve” apostles (John
6:67, see below), other “disciples” (John 6:60,
see below), Pharisees and other
“Jews" (John 6:41), including some from Nazareth, the town where
Jesus had grown up (see Son of Joseph).
Did Jesus' enemies say, “This is a hard saying; who
can listen to it” (John 6:60)?
That was said by “His disciples” (John 6:60)
- people who claimed to believe in and follow Him.
Did Jesus hear them saying that?
No, He knew “in Himself that His disciples were
grumbling about this” (John 6:61).
Does Jesus then water down His message so that it
will be easier for them to accept?
Instead, He piles it on and adds declaration of His deity:
“what if you
were to see the Son
of Man ascending to where He was before?” (John 6:62, see
Son of Man).
Which “flesh” (John 6:63) is Jesus talking about?
He contrasts it with “the Spirit” and His “words” (John
6:63), so He is talking about physical flesh.
Viewed from eternity, how much do peoples' flesh profit?
“Nothing” (John 6:63).
What are “spirit” and everlasting “life” (John 6:63)?
Jesus' “words” (John 6:63).
How much time and effort do you spend per day on your hair,
make up, dressing up, working out, and feeding your body vs. feeding on
Jesus' words?
Why didn't Jesus water down or soften His message or plead
with them to believe?
There are at least three reasons. One, whether or not they believe in
Him is determined not by how gently the message is delivered but by God
the Father: “no one can come to Me unless it has been granted
to him by My Father” (John 6:65). Two, “Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did
not believe” (John 6:64). And three, Jesus wanted to
disperse a mob that had come to crown Him king and lead a rebellion
against the Romans (see
Jesus King).
Why does John 6:65 sound familiar?
Jesus has been emphasizing throughout this discourse that it is God the Father who enables us to believe in
Him. God the “Father gives” (John 6:37);
He [Father] has given (John 6:39);
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me
draws him” (John 6:44);
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me”
(John 6:45); and, “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father”
(John 6:65).