John Calvin Commentary John 6:41

"The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven." — John 6:41 (ASV)

The Jews therefore murmured concerning him. The Evangelist explains that the cause of the murmuring was that the Jews were offended at the humble condition of Christ’s human nature and did not perceive anything divine or heavenly in him. Yet he shows that they had a twofold obstruction. One they had framed for themselves out of a false opinion, when they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? Another arose from a wicked belief that they did not think that Christ was the Son of God because he came down to men clothed with our flesh.

But we are guilty of extreme malice if we despise the Lord of glory because for our sake he emptied himself and took upon him the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).

For this was, rather, an illustrious proof of his boundless love toward us and of his wonderful grace. Besides, the Divine majesty of Christ was not so concealed under the humble and contemptible appearance of the flesh as not to shine forth his brightness in various ways; but those dull and foolish men lacked eyes to see his conspicuous glory.

We, too, sin daily in both these ways. First, it is a great hindrance to us that we behold Christ only with carnal eyes, and this is the reason why we perceive nothing magnificent in him. For by our sinful views, we pervert all that belongs to him and to his doctrine, so unskillful are we to benefit from them or to view them in the proper light.

Secondly, not satisfied with this, we adopt many false imaginations, which produce contempt for the Gospel. Indeed, there are even many who frame monsters for themselves, so that they may make them a pretext for hating the Gospel. In this manner, the world deliberately drives away the grace of God.

Now the Evangelist expressly names the Jews to inform us that the murmuring proceeded from those who gloried in the title of faith and of the Church, so that we may all learn to receive Christ with reverence when he comes down to us, and, as he comes nearer to us, to approach him more cheerfully, so that he may raise us to his heavenly glory.