John 6:44
What does John 6:44 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:44 means
Jesus declares that no one can come to Him unless the Father who sent Him draws him, and He will raise him up at the last day. Human ability is insufficient; divine initiative is necessary. This drawing is not coercion but effective grace that leads to faith in the Son. The promise of resurrection repeats, tying present coming to future hope. Salvation is Trinitarian: the Father draws, the Son receives and raises. This truth humbles pride and comforts believers—our coming rests in God’s purpose, and our future rests in Christ’s power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949No man is able to come to me if the Father who sent me does not give him the desire to come: and I will take him up from the dead on the last day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862no one is able to come unto me, if the Father who sent me may not draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him. And I will raise him up in the last day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890No one can come to me except the Father who has sent me draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Context
This strong statement follows Jesus’s command to stop murmuring and grounds true discipleship in the Father’s action. It anticipates a supporting citation from the prophets about being taught by God. The emphasis on resurrection echoes earlier promises. Next, Jesus will explain that those who hear and learn from the Father come to Him, and He will clarify His unique knowledge of the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 31:3
Jehovah appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
- Romans 8:7
because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
- John 12:37
But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him:
- Song of Solomon 1:4
Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.
- Hosea 11:4
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.
- John 5:44
How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?
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