Devine Scripture

John 6:65

What does John 6:65 mean?

A plain-English look at John 6:65 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 6:65 means

Jesus reiterates that no one can come to Him unless it is given by the Father. This grounds faith in grace. Human ability does not generate saving response; divine gift does. He has said this before, and He says it again because their unbelief demonstrates the need for the Father’s enabling. The statement humbles pride and explains the coming defection without suggesting failure in Jesus’s message. It also comforts true believers: their coming to Christ is the fruit of God’s gracious grant, not their superior insight.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, This is why I said to you, No man is able to come to me if he is not given the power to do so by the Father.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `Because of this I have said to you--No one is able to come unto me, if it may not have been given him from my Father.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that did not believe and who he was that would betray him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no one can come to me unless it be given to him from the Father.

Context

This restatement follows the acknowledgment of unbelief and precedes the mass departure of many disciples. It supplies theological explanation before the narrative records the practical outcome. The emphasis on the Father’s granting also sets the stage for the faithful response of the twelve, showing that persevering faith is itself a gift. Immediately after this, many turn back and no longer walk with Jesus.

v.64But 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.

v.65This passage

v.66Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Timothy 2:25

    in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

  • John 10:26

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

  • James 1:16

    Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

  • John 3:27

    John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

  • John 10:16

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

  • Ephesians 2:8

    for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

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