Devine Scripture

John 6:38

What does John 6:38 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:38 means

Jesus explains His mission: He came down from heaven not to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him. This grounds His promises in obedience to the Father. His descent underscores His preexistence and divine origin, challenging those who see only “the son of Joseph.” He is not an independent wonder-worker but the faithful Servant-Son. The security He offers flows from His unwavering commitment to fulfill the Father’s saving plan. In Him, heaven’s purpose has entered earth’s need, and the Son gladly submits to accomplish it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my pleasure, but the pleasure of him who sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because I have come down out of the heaven, not that I may do my will, but the will of Him who sent me.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I am come down from heaven, not that I should do my will, but the will of him that has sent me.

Context

This statement follows the assurance of welcome for all who come and prepares for a precise definition of the Father’s will in terms of preservation and resurrection. It also reiterates the theme of descent from heaven, which the crowd will soon contest. The next verses detail what the Father’s will entails: losing none of those given and raising them up at the last day, for eternal life to all who see and believe the Son.

v.37All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

v.38This passage

v.39And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 10:7

    Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

  • John 6:33

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

  • Hebrews 5:8

    though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

  • John 3:13

    And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.

  • John 4:34

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

  • Romans 15:3

    For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.

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