Commentary Sifting Exegetical Assignment

Commentary Sifting of John 6:1-15 Name Institution Course Professor Date Commentary Sifting of John 6:1-15 Introduction This sifting commentary is a critical analysis of John 6:1-15 (the feeding of the five thousand) against key exegetical categories. Employing Raymond Brown's commentary and engaging with diverse perspectives, this analysis will tease out both the literary and theological significance of the pericope. Pericope Analysis The passage begins in John 6:1 and ends in verse 15, where the people try to make Jesus king. Set at Passover time, this passage illustrates deep messianic expectations, linking Jesus' miraculous provision with the historical background of God's provision of manna (Brown, 2021, p. 235). The strategic placement in John's Gospel, in the section "Jesus and the Principal Feasts of the Jews," portrays Jesus as the new Moses, leading the people in a spiritual exodus. The miracle plays a vital role in promoting the story of Jesus' divinity and messianic kingship, which will be progressively revealed in subsequent chapters (Brown, 2021, pp. 235-240). Translation Analysis Different translations of this passage reveal subtle variations in tone and emphasis. For instance, the Greek word "ἄρτος" (bread) is sometimes translated as "loaves," possibly reducing its symbolic significance as a mark of divine sustenance. Additionally, the word "gathering" (συνήγαγον) implies more than just collecting, highlighting the administration of divine abundance. These translational differences affect the reader...