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This is important stuff that Jesus said. If He was to be taken metaphorically, wouldn't you think He would exhaust all possibility for further explanation in order to get to message right?

Some didn't get it and some did. This is in line with His teaching all along. And it doesn't say they left misunderstanding - Look at Jesus' words after the others left. "Does this offend you?"

Those that left understood it; but were offended at what he was saying. He wasn't saying his physical body and blood was to be eaten by anyone. Ya'll need to back up and reread the chapter. He started out with saying 'I'm the bread of life'. And he clarified himself to the point of slapping them in the face with it.

6:35 " I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

6:40 " And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

6:47 " Verily Verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. [48] I am that bread of life ."

Now with the statement in verse 48, the problem arises with the use of metaphor. The Jews didn't understand what he was saying. He expounded upon it starting in 53. But what he was saying was the same thing he'd been saying all along. Not that he is cannibal food; but, that he is the Bread of life - and that anyone who believes in him has eternal life. The eating is metaphor for believing. The invocation of the metaphor was the stumbling block to the Jews. And after repeating the metaphor and expanding it to a greater allusion to what would come, part of his disciples were offended at what he said and left. Jesus cared; but, the truth is the truth. If you get offended at it, you need to examine what you really want. Jesus doesn't need to beg - he was brutally beaten and killed for our sins, if that isn't enough - you want too much!

Some didn't get it and some did. This is in line with His teaching all along. And it doesn't say they left misunderstanding - Look at Jesus' words after the others left. "Does this offend you?" Those that left understood it; but were offended at what he was saying.

Say what? Can we try this again? Those who heard Jesus say "you have to eat my flesh" who left Him because of this, understood him correctly? (That is, correctly to you, that they needed to believe on Him, that "eat me" means "believe in me.")

And they were offended at the idea of believeing in Jesus so they left. Is this what you are saying?

If you are, then why in the world did those leaving mumble to themselves "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"? Why wouldn't they mumble "this guy wants us to believe in him?"?