King James Bible
"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
Jesus contrasts physical food that spoils with spiritual sustenance that lasts eternally, urging his hearers to prioritize spiritual nourishment over material concerns. This follows the feeding of the 5,000, where the crowd sought Jesus primarily for more physical bread, missing the deeper significance of his miracle. Jesus identifies himself as the source and giver of this eternal food, using his messianic title 'Son of man' to emphasize both his humanity and divine authority. Unlike earthly food that requires human labor to obtain, this spiritual bread is a gift that only Christ can provide. The Father's 'seal' marks Jesus with divine approval and authentication, like an official seal on a document confirming its genuineness. This divine endorsement validates Jesus' unique authority to dispense eternal life and distinguishes him from false messiahs or mere human teachers.