John 6:6 kjv
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
John 6:6 nkjv
But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
John 6:6 niv
He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
John 6:6 esv
He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
John 6:6 nlt
He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
John 6 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 1:43 | The next day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” | Direct calling and calling of Philip |
| John 6:5 | Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” | The specific test given to Philip |
| John 6:60-61 | When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is hard; who can receive it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about it, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? | Jesus' knowledge of inner thoughts and grumblings |
| John 2:24-25 | But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he knew what was in man. | Jesus' inherent knowledge of human hearts |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | God's omniscience |
| Ps 139:1-4 | O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit and when I rise; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. | David's confession of God's comprehensive knowledge |
| Jer 17:10 | I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. | God testing hearts |
| Heb 4:12-13 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | God's ability to discern thoughts and intentions |
| Acts 1:24 | And they prayed and said, “It is you, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen | Prayer acknowledging God's knowledge of hearts |
| Matt 19:26 | Jesus looked at them and said, “With humans this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” | The impossible nature of the situation for man, but possible with God |
| John 16:30 | Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you. This is why we believe that you came from God.” | Disciples acknowledging Jesus' divine knowledge |
| Gen 22:11-12 | But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” | God testing Abraham to "know" his heart |
| Deut 8:2 | And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. | Israel's wilderness test to reveal their hearts |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God's faithfulness to complete His work in believers |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. | God's provision in the midst of tests |
| John 11:41-42 | So they took away the stone. And Jesus, lifting up his eyes, said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” | Jesus' awareness of God's answer to prayer |
| Matt 7:7-8 | “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. | Promise of receiving when asking, seeking, knocking |
| John 14:13-14 | Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. | Jesus promising to do whatever is asked in His name |
| Acts 10:34 | So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, | God's impartiality |
John 6 verses
John 6 6 Meaning
This verse states that Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do concerning Philip, indicating divine foreknowledge. It reveals Jesus' intention to test Philip, a significant disciple, to see how he would respond to a seemingly impossible situation.
John 6 6 Context
This verse appears in the midst of Jesus' feeding of the five thousand, a significant miracle in the Gospel of John. Jesus is seeking out Philip and asking him how to feed the multitude. The chapter then continues to describe the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes, and Jesus' subsequent discourse on being the Bread of Life. The historical context is Jesus ministering in Galilee, drawing large crowds who were seeking Him for physical and spiritual sustenance. This miracle highlights Jesus' divine power and his role as the provider of spiritual life, anticipating the deeper theological truths He will reveal about Himself.
John 6 6 Word Analysis
- οἶδα (oida): "I know." This is the first-person singular, perfect active indicative form of the verb eido, meaning "to know," "to be aware," or "to perceive." It signifies a deep, settled, and certain knowledge, not merely intellectual understanding but an inherent awareness.
- οὖν (oun): "Therefore" or "then." A conjunctive particle that indicates a conclusion or a continuation of thought from the preceding verses.
- τί ποιήσῃ (ti poiēsē): "What he will do." This is a rhetorical question from Jesus. Ti means "what," and poiēsē is the third-person singular, future active indicative of the verb poieō, meaning "to do," "to make," or "to perform." It frames the problem as a test for Philip.
- πρὸς πειρασμόν (pros peirasmon): "To test." Pros is a preposition indicating "toward" or "for," and peirasmon (temptation, trial, testing) is the accusative singular of peirasmos. This clearly states Jesus' intention was not to trap Philip, but to evaluate his faith and his understanding of Jesus' provision. The noun peirasmos can carry both negative (temptation to sin) and neutral (testing or trial of faith) connotations, and in this context, it is the latter.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Jesus knowing what he would do for Philip: The perfect tense of "oida" suggests a pre-existing and complete knowledge within Jesus. This wasn't a decision made in the moment, but something He was already aware of orchestrating.
- Testing Philip's response: The phrase "to test" directly explains the purpose of the question asked of Philip, highlighting the pedagogical nature of the interaction. It reveals Jesus' active engagement with his disciples, seeking to strengthen their faith.
John 6 6 Bonus Section
The phrasing "what he will do" emphasizes that Jesus is aware of the coming miracle. This is consistent with Jesus' divine nature, possessing omniscience and foreknowledge. The test is not to gain information for Himself, but to develop Philip's understanding and faith. The term peirasmon (testing) suggests an evaluation, similar to how God tested Abraham. This verse serves as an early instance in John's Gospel of Jesus revealing His identity and capabilities to His followers, even through specific challenges designed to promote their spiritual growth.
John 6 6 Commentary
Jesus' foreknowledge of His own actions, as well as His intention to test Philip, demonstrates His divine nature. This isn't a mere situational query; it's a deliberate examination of Philip's faith and capacity to grasp the magnitude of God's power operating through Jesus. The test posed a practical challenge, one that would naturally lead a disciple to rely on human means, yet Jesus had a divine solution already in mind. This interaction sets the stage for Philip to learn about the power of faith and divine provision, mirroring the miraculous provision of bread that follows. It highlights Jesus' personal engagement with His disciples, seeking to deepen their understanding and trust.