John 6 65

John 6:65 kjv

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

John 6:65 nkjv

And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

John 6:65 niv

He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."

John 6:65 esv

And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."

John 6:65 nlt

Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."

John 6 verses

John 6 65 Meaning

This verse states that Jesus perceived that His disciples were grumbling about His words. He explains that His words are spirit and life.

John 6 65 Context

This verse occurs within Jesus' discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Many who had been fed had followed Jesus, seeking more bread. Jesus had challenged their superficial understanding, pointing them to Himself as the true Bread of Life, which gives eternal life. His teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, while symbolic of spiritual union and life in Him, was too difficult for many of His followers to comprehend. This led to murmuring and disbelief among them. Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts and grumbling, addresses their spiritual dullness directly, explaining the profound nature of His words.

John 6 65 Word Analysis

• δέν (ou) - "not" (Adverb of negation)
• γρυλίζετε (gryllsete) - "grumble," "murmur," "complain" (Present active indicative, 2nd person plural of γρυλίζω - gryllzo). Implies discontent and a lack of trust, often expressed subtly. It speaks to an inward rebellion against authority or teaching.
• ἐξ ὑμῶν (ex umon) - "from you" (Preposition ἐξ - ex, meaning "from" or "out of," and pronoun ὑμῶν - umon, possessive, 2nd person plural, "of you"). Indicates the source of the grumbling originates within the disciples themselves.
• οἶδα (oida) - "I know" (First person singular present active indicative of εἴδω - eido, meaning to perceive, understand, or know). Expresses certain knowledge and inward awareness.
• πότερον (poteron) - "whether," "if" (Interrogative particle, used here in indirect questions or to introduce alternatives, often comparing possibilities). Here it introduces the reason for their discontent.
• ἐστιν (estin) - "is" (Third person singular present active indicative of εἰμί - eimi, "to be").
• ὅτι (hoti) - "that," "because" (Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause, explaining the reason or content of what is known).
• ἐγὼ (ego) - "I" (First person singular pronoun).
• εἶπον (eipon) - "said" (Aorist indicative active, 1st person singular of εἶπον - eipon, meaning to speak or say). Refers to Jesus' preceding statements.
• ὑμῖν (umin) - "to you" (Dative case, 2nd person plural pronoun).
• λαλοῦντος (lalountos) - "speaking," "uttering" (Present active participle, genitive singular, masculine/neuter of λαλέω - laleo, meaning to talk, speak, or say). It highlights the ongoing action of Jesus speaking His words.
• ἐμοί (emoi) - "to me" (First person singular pronoun, dative case).
• τοῦτον (touton) - "this," "these" (Demonstrative pronoun, accusative masculine singular). Refers back to the specific words Jesus had spoken, emphasizing their substance.
• λέγω (lego) - "I say," "I speak" (First person singular present active indicative of λέγω - lego). Here it points to a general truth about His words.
• τὸ (to) - "the" (Definite article, neuter singular nominative/accusative).
• πνεῦμά (pneuma) - "spirit" (Neuter singular nominative/accusative). The word can mean breath, wind, or spirit. In this context, it signifies the life-giving, animating, divine element, contrasting with mere physical nourishment.
• ἐστιν (estin) - "is."
• καὶ (kai) - "and" (Conjunction).
• ζωὴ (zoe) - "life" (Feminine singular nominative). Refers to spiritual, eternal life, the essence of existence that comes from God.
• ὑμῖν (umin) - "to you" (Dative case, 2nd person plural pronoun).

Grouped Analysis

• "When Jesus knew within himself that His disciples were grumbling about this..." - Jesus’ omniscience is highlighted, understanding their inward discontent. The word "grumbling" (gryllsete) suggests a murmur of displeasure, a lack of faith in what He has revealed.
• "...whether if I said to you..." - This introduces Jesus’ hypothetical situation to address their discontent. He preempts their objections by posing a rhetorical question, leading them to reflect on the source of His authority and message.
• "...'The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.'" - This is the core of Jesus' explanation. He contrasts the Spirit, representing divine truth and power, with "the flesh." In this context, "the flesh" can refer to their carnal understanding, their reliance on outward signs, or even the limitations of His physical humanity from their perspective. The flesh counts for nothing in the sense of achieving true, eternal life; only the spiritual dimension brings that. The emphasis is on a transformation that is spiritual, not merely physical.

John 6 65 Bonus Section

The term "Spirit" (pneuma) here aligns with Jesus’ earlier statement that "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" (John 6:63, quoted by Jesus in some traditions but not in all manuscripts for 6:63 itself, though the idea is present). This teaching prepares the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would indwell believers and empower them to understand and live out Christ’s teachings. The disciples’ grumbling reflects a misunderstanding of the spiritual kingdom Jesus was inaugurating, a kingdom not of this world. The fleshly limitations they experienced prevented them from seeing the eternal reality behind Jesus’ earthly ministry. This discourse is a pivotal moment where Jesus discerns true commitment from superficial adherence.

John 6 65 Commentary

Jesus directly addresses the grumbling of His disciples. He reveals His knowledge of their internal discontent. He contrasts the spiritual nature of His words, which are from the Spirit and lead to life, with the insufficient understanding derived from a purely physical or carnal perspective ("the flesh"). His pronouncements are not mere human sayings; they are imbued with divine power and truth that originate from the Spirit, bestowing eternal life. The flesh, representing limitations, literalism, or the fallen human nature, cannot grasp or provide this ultimate sustenance. This verse emphasizes the necessity of a spiritual reception and understanding of Christ's teachings for genuine spiritual life.