CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 6:6 But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/6-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/43_Jhn_06_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 6:6 - The Feeding of the Five Thousand" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/6-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/6-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/6-5.htm" title="John 6:5">◄</a> John 6:6 <a href="/john/6-7.htm" title="John 6:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now He was saying this testing him, for He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He was saying this <i>only</i> to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And this He was saying to test him; for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And this He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But He said this to test Philip, because He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked this question to test him. He already knew what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He said this to test Philip; actually he already knew what he would do.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />(And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He said this to put Philip to the test, for He Himself knew what He was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And this He said, trying him, for He Himself had known what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now He was saying this testing him, for He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and this he said, trying him, for he himself had known what he was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And this he said trying him: for himself knew what he was about to do.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he would do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But he said this to test him. For he himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He said this merely to test him; for he knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But he said this as a test for him, for he knew what he was going to do.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he was about to do.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />He spoke this testing him; for He knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And this he said to try him: for himself knew what he would do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />(this he said to prove Philip: for he himself knew what he had to do.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He said this to put Philip to the test, for He Himself knew what He was going to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And this He said, proving him; for He Himself knew what He was about to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />(and this He said to try him, for He knew what He was going to do:)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/6-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1752" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/6.htm">The Feeding of the Five Thousand</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He was asking</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">to test</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">He</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: ēdei (V-LIA-3S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">knew</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3195.htm" title="3195: emellen (V-IIA-3S) -- A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.">He was about</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">7</span>Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2</a></span><br />Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18-19</a></span><br />They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7</a></span><br />You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-9.htm">Psalm 95:9</a></span><br />where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-14.htm">Psalm 106:14</a></span><br />They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-10.htm">Isaiah 48:10</a></span><br />See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Malachi 3:10</a></span><br />Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1</a></span><br />Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-15.htm">Matthew 14:15-21</a></span><br />When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-8.htm">Matthew 16:8-10</a></span><br />Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread? / Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? / Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-35.htm">Mark 6:35-44</a></span><br />By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. / Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-1.htm">Mark 8:1-9</a></span><br />In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said, / “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-12.htm">Luke 9:12-17</a></span><br />As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-31.htm">Luke 22:31</a></span><br />Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.</p><p class="hdg">prove.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, <i>here</i> I <i>am</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2,16</a></b></br> And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, <i>and</i> to prove thee, to know what <i>was</i> in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/13-3.htm">Deuteronomy 13:3</a></b></br> Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/5-25.htm">Already</a> <a href="/luke/24-41.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/luke/24-45.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/john/6-5.htm">Philip</a> <a href="/john/2-18.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/john/3-19.htm">Test</a> <a href="/luke/11-16.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/john/5-7.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/6-17.htm">Already</a> <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/john/6-15.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/john/10-20.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/john/6-7.htm">Philip</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Test</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/john/7-19.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">John 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-1.htm">Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-15.htm">Thereupon the people would have made him king;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-16.htm">but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-26.htm">reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-32.htm">declares himself to be the bread of life to believers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">66. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-66.htm">Many disciples depart from him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">68. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-68.htm">Peter confesses him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">70. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/6-70.htm">Judas is a devil.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/john/6.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>But He was saying this</b><br />This phrase introduces the action of Jesus speaking. The Greek word for "saying" is "λέγω" (legō), which implies not just speaking, but conveying a message with purpose. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus often speaks with deeper meanings, revealing spiritual truths. Here, His words are not merely instructional but are intended to provoke thought and reflection in His disciples.<p><b>to test him</b><br />The Greek word for "test" is "πειράζω" (peirazō), which can mean to test, try, or prove. In the biblical context, testing is often used by God to reveal the faith and character of individuals. This is not a test to induce failure but to strengthen and reveal the depth of faith. Jesus, knowing the hearts of His disciples, uses this moment to deepen their understanding and reliance on Him.<p><b>for He knew</b><br />The phrase "He knew" underscores the omniscience of Jesus. The Greek word "οἶδα" (oida) indicates a complete and perfect knowledge. This is a reminder of Jesus' divine nature, as He possesses full awareness of the situation and the hearts of those around Him. His knowledge is not limited by time or circumstance, affirming His deity and the trustworthiness of His guidance.<p><b>what He was about to do</b><br />This phrase points to the foreknowledge and intentionality of Jesus' actions. The Greek word "μέλλω" (mellō) suggests an action that is imminent and purposeful. Jesus is not reacting to circumstances; rather, He is orchestrating events to reveal His power and glory. This foreshadows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, demonstrating His provision and care.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">And this he said to prove him.</span>--This gives us a glimpse into the educational method of the great Teacher. There is for Him no difficulty. He of Himself knows what He is about to do. But Philip had, we may think, been present at Cana of Galilee, and had seen the wine multiplied to supply the needs of all. Other signs had spoken to the eye, and a fuller teaching had spoken to the ear. How far had either spoken to the spirit? He had felt the Divine Presence in separate instances. Had he realised it as a law of life, holding for every need that could arise? The student has learnt individual facts, but has he laid hold of the principle which underlies them? The one is from without, and depends upon the teacher; the other is from within, and is the true education of the man himself. He has been taught; he is now to be examined.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">This he said to test him;</span> but it is doubtful whether more is involved than an endeavour to entice from Philip the answer of faith, such <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, as "Lord, all things are possible to thee." Philip of Bethsaida was, moreover, in all probability, present at the wedding feast at Cans, and might have anticipated some such sign of the resources of his Lord. The other hints of Philip's character are severally consistent with this. Philip had said in the first instance to Nathanael, "Come and see." "Seeing is believing;" and Philip, on the night of the Passion, after much hearing and seeing of Jesus, said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us;" for he had even then not risen to the loftiness of the perception that the Father had been and was being revealed in Christ's own life (ch. 14.). Philip's personal acquaintance with the immediate vicinity is more likely to be the reason of his being put to this proof; while the tact of the inquiry as addressed to him is an undesigned note of the identity of the Johannine Christ with that portrayed by the synoptists. Bengel's suggestion, that Philip was entrusted with the commissariat of the twelve, is hardly consistent with the fact that Judas kept the common purse. We are expressly told that Jesus did not put the question in consequence of any deficiency of knowledge or resources on his own part, but to test the character and tone of Philip's mind. <span class="cmt_word">He himself knew what he was about to do.</span> Thus, by a slight touch, we see the blending of the distinctly human with the consciously Divine elements of that unique personality of his. There were to his Divine consciousness no gaps of reality, but he so threw himself into human conditions that he could ask the question and pass through the experience of a man. The whole <span class="accented">kenotic</span> controversy is, of course, involved in the solution of the problem offered by this verse. Perhaps no greater difficulty is involved in imagining the union of the Divine and human in one personality, in which at times the Ego is the Son of God and at other times purely the Son of man, than there is in the blending of the flesh and spirit in the Divine life of our own experience. John saw this, felt this, when the question was addressed to Philip. He saw by intuitive glance, as on so many other occasions, what Christ "knew" absolutely (<span class="greek">ἤδει</span>) or came to know by experience and observation (<a href="/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1</a>; <a href="/john/16-19.htm">John 16:19</a>). The "trial," not the "temptation," of Philip was obvious in the form and tone of the question. The use of the word <span class="greek">πειράζων</span> shows that it frequently means "test," "prove," as well as "tempt." If God tempts, it is with the beneficent intention of encouraging the tempted one to succeed, to resist the allurement, to show and prove his power to bear a more serious assault. If the devil tempts (<span class="greek">πειράζει</span>), it is with the hope of inducing the sufferer to yield and fail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/6-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He was asking</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔλεγεν</span> <span class="translit">(elegen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to test</span><br /><span class="grk">πειράζων</span> <span class="translit">(peirazōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτόν</span> <span class="translit">(auton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτὸς</span> <span class="translit">(autos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knew</span><br /><span class="grk">ᾔδει</span> <span class="translit">(ēdei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">τί</span> <span class="translit">(ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He was about</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔμελλεν</span> <span class="translit">(emellen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3195.htm">Strong's 3195: </a> </span><span class="str2">A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do.</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(poiein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/6-6.htm">John 6:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/6-6.htm">NT Gospels: John 6:6 This he said to test him (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/6-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 6:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 6:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/6-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 6:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 6:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>