What Did Jesus Mean by Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood?

One of the most puzzling and controversial statements Jesus ever made is found in John 6:53-56:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."

For many of His followers, this teaching was so shocking that they abandoned Him (John 6:60-66). What did Jesus mean by these words, and how should we understand them today?

Jesus’ Words Are Spiritual, Not Literal

At first glance, Jesus’ words seem disturbing, almost suggesting cannibalism. However, Jesus clarifies in John 6:63: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

This statement reveals that Jesus was speaking spiritually, not literally. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood are not physical acts but spiritual metaphors for receiving and internalizing the life He offers.

The Context of John 6: The Bread of Life

The context of Jesus’ statement is critical for understanding His meaning. Earlier in John 6, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with bread and fish. Afterward, He declares:

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).

Jesus compares Himself to the manna that God provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). However, unlike the manna, which only temporarily sustained physical life, Jesus offers eternal life. He is the true bread that satisfies spiritual hunger. To “eat His flesh” and “drink His blood” means to fully believe in and rely on Him for eternal life.

The Connection to His Sacrifice

Jesus’ reference to His flesh and blood also points forward to His sacrificial death on the cross. In John 6:51, He says: "The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

This statement anticipates the giving of His body and the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of sins (see Matthew 26:26-28). When Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He is inviting us to partake in the benefits of His sacrifice—to accept by faith that His death pays the penalty for our sins and restores our relationship with God.

A Call to Abide in Christ

In John 6:56, Jesus says: "Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."

The word “abide” (or “remain”) is central to Jesus’ teaching. Eating and drinking symbolize an intimate, ongoing relationship with Him. Just as physical food and drink sustain our bodies, a relationship with Jesus nourishes our souls. To “feed” on Him means to continually depend on Him, draw near to Him, and allow His life to transform us.

The Link to Communion

Jesus’ words in John 6 also have a connection to the Lord’s Supper (communion), which He instituted at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20). In communion, believers partake of bread and wine as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, remembering His sacrifice on the cross.

While John 6 does not directly describe the institution of communion, it foreshadows its significance. Participating in the Lord’s Supper is a tangible way to express our faith in Christ’s sacrifice and to reflect on our dependence on Him for spiritual life.

Application: Living in the Reality of Christ

To “eat His flesh” and “drink His blood” is ultimately about living in complete dependence on Jesus. It means:

Believing in His Sacrifice: Trusting that Jesus’ death and resurrection provide forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Feeding on His Word: Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1). We nourish our souls by studying Scripture and applying it to our lives.

Living in Daily Communion with Him: Through prayer, worship, and obedience, we draw closer to Christ and experience His life in us.

Remembering His Sacrifice: Celebrating communion with a reverent heart reminds us of the cost of our salvation and strengthens our faith.

Life Through Christ Alone

Jesus’ words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood are a profound invitation to spiritual life. They challenge us to move beyond superficial belief and embrace a deep, abiding relationship with Him. Just as physical food sustains our bodies, only Jesus can satisfy the hunger of our souls and give us eternal life.

When we trust in His sacrifice, live in communion with Him, and depend on Him daily, we truly "eat His flesh" and "drink His blood." Through this spiritual nourishment, we experience the abundant and eternal life that only Christ can offer.

Have questions or concerns about this topic? Send me a message—I’d be happy to continue the conversation with you.