Albert Barnes Commentary John 6:49

"Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died." — John 6:49 (ASV)

Your fathers did eat manna. There was a real miracle performed on their behalf; there was a perpetual interposition of God which showed that they were his chosen people.

And are dead. The bread which they ate could not save them from death. Though God interfered on their behalf, yet they died. We may learn:

1. That that is not the most valuable of God's gifts which merely satisfies temporal wants.
2. That the most distinguished temporal blessings will not save from death. Wealth, friends, food, clothing, will not preserve life.
3. There is need of something better than mere earthly blessings; there is need of that bread which comes down from heaven, and which gives life to the world.