John 6:62
What does John 6:62 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:62 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:62 means
Jesus asks what they would think if they saw the Son of man ascending where He was before. This points to His heavenly origin and destiny, and to a future vindication of His claims. If His words about coming down from heaven offend, what will they do when they witness His return? The ascension becomes the ultimate sign that confirms who He is. It reframes the scandal: the stumbling is not due to unclear teaching but to unbelief in the One destined to ascend. The question pushes them beyond present offense to consider the full arc of His mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What then will you say if you see the Son of man going up to where he was before?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if then ye may behold the Son of Man going up where he was before?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If then ye see the Son of man ascending up where he was before?
Context
This probing question follows Jesus’s awareness of their offense. It anticipates the later realities of resurrection and ascension that validate His heavenly claims. The next verse will clarify that the Spirit gives life and that the flesh profits nothing, urging them to interpret His words spiritually rather than carnally. These statements aim to rescue faith by directing attention to the Spirit’s role and the life-giving power of Jesus’s message.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 16:28
I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father.
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Luke 24:51
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
- 1 Peter 3:22
who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
- Acts 1:9
And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
- John 17:4
I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.
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