Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 6:42

"And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven?" — John 6:42 (ASV)

“The Jews” in John usually represent those who are opposed to Jesus, especially those in leadership positions, not simply the people of Jewish origin (cf. 2:18, 20; 5:16). They might be called “the opposition party.” Here they are probably local persons, for they show some acquaintance with Jesus’ family. They took for granted that he was the son of Joseph and Mary, both well known to them. To them his claim of heavenly origin was incredible.