Thanks for sharing that 👍🏼 context is key, and I agree Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48), the source of all spiritual nourishment. The canaanite woman’s story (Matt. 15:21-28) beautifully shows gentiles accessing that “bread” through faith, like crumbs from the master’s table. It is about inclusive salvation, not literal consumption.

But in John 6, Jesus builds on that metaphor then pivots hard to speaking literally. He shifts from “believes in me” (v. 47) to “eats my flesh and drinks my blood” (v. 53-56) as the how of that belief and life. The crowd’s outrage isn’t over symbolism, they get Jesus is claiming divinity as Bread from heaven (v. 41-42) but over cannibalism vibes, and He amps it up with “true food/true drink” and “trogo” (gnaw, v. 54-58), not vague faith language.

No clarification like in the “living water” mix-up (John 4:10-15). Peter’s confession seals it “You have the words are eternal life” (v. 68). It’s both symbol and reality. The Eucharist is that Bread, given for the life of the world (v. 51).