John 6:43
What does John 6:43 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:43 means
Jesus tells them to stop murmuring among themselves. Grumbling is not the path to understanding; listening is. He will not debate their superficial objections about His origin. Instead, He will explain how anyone truly comes to Him: by the Father’s drawing. The command halts unproductive chatter and turns attention to God’s initiative. The issue is not pedigree but revelation. Jesus addresses the heart attitude that resists Him, calling for a posture open to God’s teaching rather than closed by human presumption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus made answer and said, Do not say things against me, one to another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered, therefore, and said to them, `Murmur not one with another;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus therefore answered and said to them: Murmur not among yourselves.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves.
Context
This rebuke follows the crowd’s protest about Jesus’s claim to have come down from heaven. It functions as a transition into teaching on divine drawing and instruction. The next verse will assert that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, coupled with the promise of resurrection. This moves the conversation from human speculation to God’s sovereign work in salvation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 9:33
And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way?
- John 6:64
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him.
- Matthew 16:8
And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread?
- Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
- John 16:19
Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
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