He himself spoke of his prehuman heavenly life. (John 3:13; 6:38, 62; 8:23, 42, 58)

Jesus’ discourse identifying the true “bread of life,” designed to correct the basically materialistic interest in him shown by the majority, resulted in many of his disciples defecting from the ranks of his followers, leaving a reduced faithful nucleus (Matt. 14:23-34; Mark 6:53; John 6:17-71) It was likely in Capernaum, after having attended the Passover of 32 C.E. in Jerusalem, that Jesus rebuked the Pharisee traditionalists for criticizing Jesus’ disciples while at the same time making God’s Word void by their traditions.—Matt. 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; John 7:1.

At Capernaum, around Passover time of 32 C.E., during what was apparently his final intensive coverage of Galilean territory, many disciples, stumbled by Jesus’ words about ‘eating his flesh and drinking his blood,’ forsook the Son of God.—John 6:22-71.

As one of the Twelve, Nathanael was in constant attendance throughout Jesus’ ministry, being trained for future service. (Matt. 11:1; 19:25-28; 20:17-19, 24-28; Mark 4:10; 11:11; John 6:48-67)

Thus, even as God gave cause for faith in Moses, Joshua and others, he now gave sound basis for faith in his Son. (Matt. 11:2-6; John 6:29)

Far superior to the manna Israel ate in the wilderness, Jesus was the “true bread from heaven,” “the bread of life.” (John 6:31-35, 48-51)

Just as Moses had told the Israelites: “Not by bread alone does man live but by every expression of Jehovah’s mouth does man live” (Deut. 8:3), Jesus encouraged his followers to seek, not the material food, but the food that remains for life everlasting. (John 6:26, 27; compare Habakkuk 3:17, 18.)

Not appreciating the spiritual, symbolic significance of his words, some construed the statement as cannibalistic and were shocked.—John 6:50-60.

He showed that he was the “living bread that came down from heaven,” adding: “If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51)

Christ Jesus made a point of this, and then added: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (John 6:30-33, 48-51, 58)

In this way Jesus ‘weeded out’ those who did not really believe from the heart.—John 6:54, 60-66.

Life has always existed, because Jehovah God is the living God, the Fountain of life, and he has no beginning or end of existence. (Jer. 10:10; Dan. 6:20, 26; John 6:57; 2 Cor. 3:3; 6:16; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ps. 36:9; Jer. 17:13)

On another occasion he declared: “Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me.”—John 6:57.

The possessors of “the everlasting dwelling places” are Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus. (Compare John 6:37-40, 44.)

The account explains that the one who already was a slanderer was Judas, who “was going to betray him, although one of the twelve.”—John 6:66-71.

Jesus himself said: “For a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

The apostle Paul looked forward to receiving his resurrection at that time. (2 Tim. 4:8; compare John 6:39, 54, speaking of the resurrection “at the last day.”)