John 6:51-58

Ancient Lens

What's the historical context?

A Hard Saying

The difficulty of this saying was used by opponents of the early Christians to justify persecution, yet the early church still rallied around it. Accusations of cannibalism were common and seemed a step too far, not only for diaspora Jews but also for the pagan neighbors of early Christians. Even in ancient pagan sacrificial customs, there was a sense of dining along with whichever god or gods were being honored or summoned with the feast. Historical anthropology also suggests a sense among people through the ages that the strength of whatever—or whoever—was being eaten would transfer to the body of the diner. 

Nevertheless, even today and even…