Some say, the disciples stopped following Jesus because he did not provide them more free bread like he provided during the “Multiplication of the Loaves” the day before. Does this make biblical sense?

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This clearly does “not” make biblical sense:

• Did the Jews murmur about not receiving more free bread in John 6:41-42? No!

• Did angry augments break out over lack of free bread, in verse 52? No!

• Did the Jews say in verse 52, “how can this man not give us “free bread” to eat?” No!

• Did the disciples say, “this saying is hard, who can accept it,” because Jesus denied more free bread? (60) No!

• Did Jesus ask the twelve if they were going to leave, due to lack of free bread? (67) No!

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This clearly does “not” make common sense:

Many disciples gave up their “way of life” to follow Jesus. Following Jesus’ way of life was (is) not easy and involved suffering, persecution, rejection, living minimally, etc. His way is against this world and our sinful desires.

Some disciples had been following Jesus for months and years, but then they stopped following him because he did not provide them more free bread that day?

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Jesus promised eternal life to his disciples if they believed and followed him. The disciples abandoned the promise of eternal life over “barley bread,” after giving up their own “way of living” to follow him?

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The crowd were non-believers

Lastly, the “crowd” of people were “non-disciples” that requested more free bread in verse 34; non-believers.

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The New American Bible, Revised Edition

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