Texts in Conversation
Philo calls the manna in the wilderness the divine word, spiritual bread given to feed the soul with wisdom and reason. In John, Jesus is called the bread from heaven, similarly described as divine food from God, contrasted with the manna of Moses.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Philo Allegorical Interpretation 3
Classical
An affection peculiar to it is produced by this word. When it has summoned the soul to itself, it brings about a congealment in all that part of us that is earthly, bodily, sense-bound ; and this accounts for the words “‘ as it were hoar-frost on the earth ”’ (Exod. xvi. 14). For we also find that when he that sees God is studying flight from the passions, the waves become fixed as if frozen, that is to say the rush and growth and vainglory of the passions ; ‘‘ for the waves became solid in the midst of the sea”’ (Exod. xv. 8), in order that he that sees Him that is might pass beyond passion. The souls, therefore, that have indeed already had experience of the word, but are not able to answer the question, inquire one of another “‘ What is it ?’’ (Exod. xvi. 15). For it often happens that on finding a sweet taste in our mouths we are uncertain as to the flavour which has given rise to it, and that when we catch the scent of pleasant odours we do not know what they are. In the same way then the soul, when it has been gladdened, is often unable to say what the thing that gladdens it is. But it is taught by the hierophant and prophet Moses: he will tell it, This bread (ibid.) is the food which God has given to the soul, for it to feed on His own utterance and His own word; for this bread, which He has given us to eat, is “‘ this word.”
Date: 20-50 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
John 6:27
New Testament
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate all the loaves of bread you wanted. 27 Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life—the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.” 28 So then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what miraculous sign will you perform, so that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
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Notes and References
"... In John 6:31–58 Jesus identifies himself with the bread from heaven, which like the law of Moses gives life to the world (Tanchuma, Shemot 25; Mekilta on Exodus 15:26; Exodus Rabbah 29:9). Like Wisdom, he satisfies the thirst and hunger of those who come to him: “Jesus then said to them, ‘truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ they said to him, ‘Lord, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:32–35). In a corresponding way, Philo combines wisdom, the law, and the manna, where it is said that the manna that rains down from heaven is the heavenly sophia, sent from above on the seventh day, the sabbath, when the law of Moses is read and expounded upon ..."
Borgen, Peder
The Gospel of John: More Light from Philo, Paul and Archaeology: The Scriptures, Tradition, Exposition, Settings, Meaning.
(pp. 48-52) Brill, 2014
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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