As {t} the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the {u} Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

(t) In that Christ is man, he receives that power which quickens and gives life to those that are his, from his Father: and he adds this word the to make a distinction between his Father and all other fathers.

(u) Christ means that although he is man, yet his flesh can give life, not by its own nature, but because his flesh lives by the Father, that is to say, sucks and draws out of the Father that power which it has to give life.

People's New Testament

6:57 The living Father. Who is the fountain of all life.

Wesley's Notes

6:57 I live by the Father - Being one with him. He shall live by me - Being one with me. Amazing union!

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

57. As the living Father hath sent me-to communicate His own life.

and I live by the Father-literally, "because of the Father"; My life and His being one, but Mine that of a Son, whose it is to be "of the Father." (See Joh 1:18; 5:26).

he that eateth me, . shall live by me-literally, "because of Me." So that though one spiritual life with Him, "the Head of every man is Christ, as the head of Christ is God" (1Co 11:3; 3:23).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:52-59 The flesh and blood of the Son of man, denote the Redeemer in the nature of man; Christ and him crucified, and the redemption wrought out by him, with all the precious benefits of redemption; pardon of sin, acceptance with God, the way to the throne of grace, the promises of the covenant, and eternal life. These are called the flesh and blood of Christ, because they are purchased by the breaking his body, and the shedding of his blood. Also, because they are meat and drink to our souls. Eating this flesh and drinking this blood mean believing in Christ. We partake of Christ and his benefits by faith. The soul that rightly knows its state and wants, finds whatever can calm the conscience, and promote true holiness, in the redeemer, God manifest in the flesh. Meditating upon the cross of Christ gives life to our repentance, love, and gratitude. We live by him, as our bodies live by our food. We live by him, as the members by the head, the branches by the root: because he lives we shall live also.