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 6:65 mean?

Explanation

John 6:65 articulates a key concept in Christian theology concerning divine sovereignty and human agency in the process of salvation. Jesus states that the ability to come to Him is not solely a matter of human will or effort, but it is something that must be granted or enabled by God the Father.

This suggests that the initiative for a person's salvation begins with God.

In literal terms, Jesus is making a claim about the exclusivity and divine prerequisite for someone to have faith in Him.

On a deeper level, the verse underscores the idea of prevenient grace, meaning that one's coming to faith in Christ is made possible because of the grace provided by God that precedes human decision.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The verse originates from the account in the Gospel of John where Jesus has been engaging in a dialogue with the crowd that followed Him after the miracle of feeding the five thousand.

The discourse, often referred to as the "Bread of Life Discourse," occurs in Capernaum in a synagogue.

Jesus had been explaining that He Himself is the "bread of life" and that belief in Him leads to eternal life.

During this time, many followers found His sayings difficult to accept, especially when He spoke of giving His flesh to eat and His blood to drink.

It was within this context of misunderstanding and growing disbelief among His audience that Jesus emphasized that only those drawn by the Father would come to Him, underscoring the spiritual nature of His teachings.

Theological Insights

Theological implications of John 6:65 are vast and have been interpreted in various ways depending on one's theological perspective.

Calvinist view: This scripture is often cited to support the doctrine of unconditional election, which holds that God predestines some individuals to salvation.

It ties into the concept of irresistible grace, suggesting that those whom God has chosen will inevitably come to faith in Christ.

Arminian view: Arminians may read this verse as an affirmation of prevenient grace that is available to all but requires a response of free will to accept the grace offered.
Catholic view: The Catholic interpretation might focus on the role of God's grace in initiating faith but would emphasize the necessary cooperation of human free will with that grace.
Universalist view: Some universalists might interpret this verse as indicating that eventually, God will bring all people to Christ since God desires all to be saved.

Practical Applications

John 6:65 can be applied to daily life in the following ways:

Recognizing and accepting that spiritual understanding and faith are gifts from God can lead one to a sense of humility and dependence on God's grace.
This teaching can provide comfort to those who are anxious about their own salvation or that of their loved ones, knowing that God is ultimately in control.
It may also inspire Christians to pray fervently for others, that God would 'give' them the needed revelation to come to faith in Jesus.

Cross-References

John 6:44 - "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."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Acts 13:48 - "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
2 Timothy 2:25 - "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to analyze include:

"given" (δεδομένον): This is a perfect passive participle, indicating that the action has been completed in the past with ongoing effects in the present.

The passive voice indicates that the action is done by an external agent, i.e., God.

"come" (ἔλθῃ): Present active subjunctive, implying a potential action that is continuous or repeated.

In the context of this verse, it is an action contingent upon the giving of the Father.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient myths and religious interpretations, the idea of divine election or being chosen by a deity is not unique to Christianity.

Many ancient cultures believed that the gods would select individuals for specific fates or privileges.

However, John 6:65 conveys a more personal and salvific choosing closely tied to a monotheistic framework, which stands distinct from polytheistic concepts of election that were prevalent in ancient cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings since it deals with metaphysical concepts such as salvation, grace, and divine action, which are outside the scope of empirical scientific investigation.

However, the verse may prompt discussions about the nature of belief, free will, and cognition from a psychological or neurological perspective.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical scholars have commented on this verse:

John Calvin regarded this verse as evidence of the need for divine illumination to understand the truth of the Gospel.
Matthew Henry emphasized the point that coming to Christ is not just assent by the intellect but also involves the will, which is influenced by the grace of God.
William Barclay noted that Jesus insisted no one could come to Him unless drawn by God, suggesting that the recognition of Christ's identity is a gift from God.
Craig S.

Keener, in his commentary on John, points out that this teaching indicates a selective process on God's part, but also that the Father's 'giving' in the Fourth Gospel is often seen as available to all who are willing.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:65 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 6:65 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?