Albert Barnes Commentary John 6:32

"Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven." — John 6:32 (ASV)

Moses gave you not that bread from heaven. This might be translated, "Moses gave you not the bread of heaven." The word "that," which makes some difference in the sense, is not necessary to express the meaning of the original. It does not appear that Jesus intended to call into question the fact that their fathers were fed by the instrumentality of Moses, but to state that he did not give them the true bread that was suited to the needs of the soul.

He fed the body, although his food did not keep the body alive (John 6:59), but he did not give what would preserve the soul from death.

God gave, in his Son Jesus, the true bread from heaven, which was suited to humankind and was of far more value than any supply of their temporary needs. He tells them, therefore, that they are not to seek from him any such supply of their temporary needs as they had supposed. A better gift had been provided in his being given for the life of the world.

My father giveth you. In the gospel; in the gift of his Son.

The true bread. The true or real support that is needed to keep the soul from death. It is not false, deceitful, or perishing. Christ is called bread because, as bread supports life, so his doctrine supports, preserves, and saves the soul from death. He is the true support, not only in opposition to the mere supply of temporary needs such as Moses provided, but also in opposition to all false religion that deceives and destroys the soul.