Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here (John 6:24-25)?"

After having fed 5000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus dismissed the crowd so that they could go home. The reason for feeding them was that these people followed Jesus to such a remote place, and it was not a good idea to let them go home without food. But some of them, realizing that Jesus and his disciples went to the other side of the lake, continue to follow him and came to where he was.

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval (vv. 26-27)."

From here, the dialogue between Jesus and these people continues. Note the way they put Jesus to the test. Putting someone to the test means to test someone to see how he/she comes to react to what you say or do. In a neutral sense, there is nothing wrong about it, and God often tests us for good reasons and purposes—mainly to train us. But when a person tests for his/her own selfish purposes, it becomes an act of manipulation. Such was the case you see in this passage. They simply tried to manipulate Jesus in an attempt to make him provide another free meal. The Bible tells us not to test God (Deut 6:16).

They: "What must we do to do the works God requires (v. 28)?"

Jesus: "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent (v. 29)."

They: "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat (vv. 30-31).’"

You can see that they were all motivated by one desire—to eat a free meal again. This caused their ears to be closed. People come to church with all kinds of different motivations, and what they are seeking is not found in what they hear, they get disappointed and leave with their ears closed.

Jesus: "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (vv. 32-33)."

They: "Sir, from now on give us this bread (v. 34)."

Jesus: "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away (vv. 35-37).

Imagine the disappointment they had when they heard Jesus say, “I am the bread of life.” And pay attention to the way Jesus spoke of those who believe in him—“All that the Father give me will come to me.” Later, he also said:

It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God.” Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me (v. 45).