John Calvin Commentary John 6:52

"The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" — John 6:52 (ASV)

The Jews therefore debated among themselves. He again mentions the Jews, not as a mark of honor, but to reproach them for their unbelief, because they do not receive the well-known doctrine concerning eternal life, or, at least, do not inquire modestly into the subject, if it is still obscure and doubtful.

For when he says that they debated, it is a sign of obstinacy and contempt; and those who dispute so keenly do, indeed, block their own road to the knowledge of the truth.

And yet the blame attributed to them is not simply that they inquired into the manner; for the same blame would fall on Abraham and the blessed Virgin (Genesis 15:2; Luke 1:34). Those persons, therefore, are either led astray by ignorance, or are deficient in candour, who, without taking into account the audacity and eagerness to quarrel, which alone the Evangelist condemns, direct all their outcry against the word how; as if it were not lawful for the Jews to inquire about the manner of eating the flesh of Christ.

But it should rather be attributed to sloth than ascribed to the obedience of faith, if we knowingly and willingly leave unsolved those doubts and difficulties that are removed for us by the word of the Lord. Therefore, not only is it lawful to inquire about the manner of eating the flesh of Christ, but it is also of great importance for us to understand it, as far as it is made known by the Scriptures.

Away, then, with that fierce and obstinate pretense of humility: “For my part, I am satisfied with that single word of Christ, when He declares that His flesh is truly food; to all the rest I willingly shut my eyes.” As if heretics would not have equal plausibility on their side, if they were willingly ignorant that Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost, because, believing that He is the seed of Abraham, they make no further inquiry.

We should only preserve such moderation regarding the secret works of God, so as not to desire to know anything more than what He determines by His word.