King James Bible
"This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die."
Jesus identifies himself as divine provision, contrasting with the manna given to Israel in the wilderness. The present tense 'cometh down' emphasizes his ongoing divine origin and availability, not merely a past event. The purpose clause introduces spiritual participation—'eating' represents believing in and receiving Christ. This metaphor builds on the physical act of eating bread to sustain life, now applied to faith that sustains the soul. Unlike those who ate manna and eventually died, partaking of Christ results in eternal life. This promise addresses spiritual death rather than physical death, offering permanent resolution to humanity's deepest need.