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John 6:27

ESV Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
NIV Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
NASB Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.'
CSB Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him."
NLT But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.'
KJV Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
NKJV Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

What does John 6:27 mean?

The crowds who saw Jesus miraculously provide food the day before followed Him to Capernaum (John 6:24). This is good, since Jesus' miraculous signs are meant to encourage seekers. But this throng of people is not really seeking God. Instead, they are looking for entertainment and free food (John 6:26). Mere popularity is not what Christ is seeking. Instead of softening His message to make people happy, Jesus will thoroughly explain the truth, even though it costs Him the good will of the crowd.

Here, Jesus continues to clarify that the point of His ministry is spiritual, not material. Scripture is consistent in reminding us that we need more than just physical food to thrive; we need to be nourished spiritually, as well (Isaiah 55:2; Matthew 4:4). This does not mean work has no value or that Jesus is endorsing laziness. Rather, His point is simply that all material things will eventually pass away. Instead of being consumed with things like food and performance, we ought to be concerned with eternal rewards.

The Jewish audience hearing these words would have recognized the phrase "Son of Man" as a reference to Daniel's prophecy of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13–14).
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