Devine Scripture

John 6:64

What does John 6:64 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:64 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:64 means

Jesus says that some of them do not believe, and John adds that He knew from the beginning who they were and who would betray Him. This exposes the root issue—unbelief—not merely confusion. Jesus’s foreknowledge underscores His sovereignty; the coming betrayal does not catch Him off guard. The note about betrayal points forward to Judas, showing that even among the twelve there is a false disciple. The presence of unbelief in a crowd of disciples is sobering: proximity to Jesus and participation in ministry are not the same as faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But still some of you have no faith. For it was clear to Jesus from the first who they were who had no faith, and who it was who would be false to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but there are certain of you who do not believe;' for Jesus had known from the beginning who they are who are not believing, and who is he who will deliver him up,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would deliver him up.

Context

This statement follows Jesus’s teaching about the Spirit and His life-giving words. It shifts from explanation to evaluation. The next verse will tie their unbelief to the principle already stated: no one can come to Jesus unless it has been granted by the Father. This prepares for the sad consequence—many disciples turning back—and for Jesus’s searching question to the twelve.

v.63It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

v.64This passage

v.65And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.

Cross references

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

  • John 5:42

    But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves.

  • John 6:70

    Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?

  • John 10:26

    But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.

  • John 8:23

    And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

  • John 8:38

    I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father.

  • Psalms 139:2

    Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.

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