King James Bible
"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Jesus uses shocking, visceral language to describe spiritual union with himself through faith. In the context of John 6's bread of life discourse, this metaphor emphasizes the necessity of fully internalizing Christ—not mere intellectual assent but complete dependence on his sacrificial death for spiritual sustenance. The present tense indicates that eternal life begins immediately upon this spiritual consumption, not merely after death. This life is qualitatively different—sharing in the divine nature and relationship with God that transcends physical existence. Jesus guarantees bodily resurrection at the final judgment for those who partake of him. This promise connects the present spiritual reality with future physical restoration, echoing the Jewish hope of resurrection while asserting Jesus' authority to accomplish it.