A.T. Robertson Commentary John 6:31

"Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat." — John 6:31 (ASV)

Ate the manna (το μαννα εφαγον). The rabbis quoted Ps 72:16 to prove that the Messiah, when he comes, will outdo Moses with manna from heaven. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and able to give bread for eternal life (verse 27). Lightfoot (Biblical Essays, p. 152) says: "The key to the understanding of the whole situation is an acquaintance with the national expectation of the greater Moses." They quote to Jesus Ex 16:15 (of. Numbers 11:7; 21:5; Deuteronomy 8:3). Their plea is that Moses gave us bread "from heaven" (εκ του ουρανου). Can Jesus equal that deed of Moses?