Throughout the Johannine discourse on the bread of life there has been a debate between Jesus, who claims to be the bread of life, and the Jews, who understand this claim as cannibalism. Once these points are made, the author of the Gospel separates some of the disciples of Jesus, unbelievers, from the Twelve, who do believe.
Some disciples murmur that Jesus’ claim is hard to accept. Unique to John’s Gospel is the portrayal of Jesus as always being in charge and knowing what is going on. So, Jesus asks, “Does this shock you?” (v 61). As the author already knows, far greater shocks are in store!
The bread that Jesus gives is not for the nourishment of the body but for the feeding of the spirit. “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (v 63). One’s understanding of the difference between bread for the body and bread for the spirit distinguishes believers from unbelievers. Therefore, “many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him” (v 66). In John’s community, there were some who could not accept this teaching and they were leaving the Church.
In this Gospel, the Twelve are portrayed as believers. Through Simon Peter, their spokesman, they profess their belief in Jesus’ words of eternal life. Thus, in the Johannine scheme of things, they are held up as examples of faith for John’s community. There is no one else to whom one can turn except Jesus.