John 6

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

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.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

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.

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am that bread of life.

Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

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

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

What does John 6:37 mean?

Explanation

John 6:37 comprises a profound assurance given by Jesus concerning salvation and the will of the Father.

The first part of the verse, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me," indicates a divine drawing power where those whom the Father has chosen or given to Jesus will inevitably be drawn to Him.

This suggests a predestined relationship between God's sovereign choice and the individuals who come to faith in Jesus.

The second part of the verse, "and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," is a promise of acceptance and security from Jesus. It reassures any person who comes to Jesus in faith that they will not be rejected.

The phrase "in no wise" is a strong double negative in the original Greek, emphasizing the certainty of Jesus' commitment to receive and keep all who believe in Him.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 6:37 is part of a larger discourse that takes place after Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.

This event leads to a crowd seeking Jesus, not necessarily for who He is, but for the material benefits He provides.

In response, Jesus begins to teach about the true "bread of life" – Himself – and the spiritual nourishment He offers.

The historical context is within the Jewish culture, where ideas of election and God's sovereignty were deeply rooted in the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus' statement reflects these Jewish theological concepts but redirects them towards a Christ-centered understanding of salvation.

Theological Insights

From a Calvinistic viewpoint, this verse supports the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints and unconditional election, God's sovereign choice of certain individuals for salvation.

Others, such as Arminians, might emphasize the human responsibility in responding to God's call rather than predestination.

Catholic interpretation might see this verse supporting the Church's role in salvation, as the Church is seen as the body of Christ, and therefore those given to Jesus are drawn into the Church.

In broader Christian theology, this verse reassures believers of their salvation and Jesus' promise not to reject anyone who seeks Him genuinely, indicating an ongoing relationship between the believer and Christ.

Practical Applications

In everyday life, this verse offers comfort to believers who may doubt their salvation or feel unworthy of God's love.

It encourages individuals to approach Jesus with confidence, knowing they will be accepted.

It also serves as a reminder for Christians to practice acceptance and non-judgment within their communities, just as Christ promises to not reject those who come to Him.

Cross-References

John 10:28-29: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
John 6:44: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..."
Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come..."
Ephesians 1:4-5: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world..."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of John 6:37 include:

"giveth" (δίδωμι, didomi): often used in the New Testament in the sense of granting or giving with a purpose.
"come" (ἔρχομαι, erchomai): to come or to go, often with a purpose or destination in mind.
"cast out" (ἐκβάλλω, ekballo): to throw out or expel, used elsewhere to describe expelling demons or throwing something away.

Each of these key terms contributes to the understanding of the verse as a whole, emphasizing the intentionality of God's actions and Jesus' acceptance of those coming to Him.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse to other ancient religious texts, many myths and traditions emphasize gods who select or favor certain individuals, such as the Greek concept of "hero" where a person is often favored by a deity.

However, the biblical concept is distinguished by the personal and salvific relationship it describes between God and humankind.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science tends to operate within the natural realm and typically does not comment on matters of faith and predestination.

However, the concept of universal acceptance in Jesus as described in this verse may resonate with psychological findings on the human need for belonging and acceptance.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered insights into John 6:37.

For example, Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the comfort and assurance that this verse offers to true believers.

Similarly, the MacArthur Study Bible notes the sovereign work of God in drawing people to Jesus, while also highlighting the human responsibility to come to Jesus.

Throughout different commentaries, there is a consensus on the verse's theme of divine sovereignty and the security of the believer in Christ.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:37 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 6:37 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?