Transubstantiation
— A Biblical Examination
John 6:63 (KJV)
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
This statement follows Jesus’ earlier teaching in John 6, where He spoke of giving His flesh to eat and His blood to drink. The clarification in verse 63 shows that His words are spiritual in nature, not to be understood in a literal, physical sense.
Context of John 6
John 6:53–56 (KJV)
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
This language caused offense and confusion among many of His listeners. Some turned away, taking the statement literally.
John 6:66 (KJV)
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
Verse 63 explains the intended meaning. Jesus declares that the flesh profits nothing and that His words are spirit and life. The contrast between literal flesh and spiritual meaning clarifies that the teaching was not about consuming literal human flesh or blood.
No Change of Substance Taught in Scripture
Transubstantiation is the teaching that, during the Lord’s Supper, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ in substance, though retaining the appearance of bread and wine. Scripture does not teach this.
Luke 22:19 (KJV)
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24–25 (KJV)
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The phrase “this is my body” is followed by the instruction to do this “in remembrance,” identifying the act as a memorial, not a literal transformation.
Figurative Language in the Bible
Jesus often used symbolic language to express spiritual truths.
John 10:9 (KJV)
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
John 15:5 (KJV)
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
These statements are not taken literally but understood spiritually. In the same way, “this is my body” is understood as representing something, not becoming something.
Eating and Drinking as Believing
John 6:35 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Coming to Christ and believing in Him is described using the language of eating and drinking, further supporting the spiritual interpretation of John 6.
Summary of Key Passages
| Topic | Scripture Reference | Biblical Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Words are spirit, not literal | John 6:63 | Jesus clarifies His teaching is spiritual |
| Memorial nature of Lord’s Supper | Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24–25 | The bread and cup are done in remembrance |
| Figurative teaching style | John 10:9; 15:5 | Jesus often uses symbolic language |
| Eating as believing | John 6:35 | Believing in Christ is spiritually described as eating and drinking |
Conclusion
The teaching in John 6 is spiritual, not literal. Jesus identifies His words as spirit and life, and the context reveals that many misunderstood His message. The Lord’s Supper is presented as a memorial, not a transformation of substance. The bread and cup remain symbolic elements that point to the sacrifice of Christ and are intended to be remembered, not re-offered or changed in essence. Scripture provides no support for the doctrine of transubstantiation.