What is the meaning of John 6:62? Setting the scene Jesus has just miraculously fed the five thousand and then delivered His “Bread of Life” message in Capernaum (John 6:26-59). Many disciples are grumbling because He spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:60-61). Into that tension He asks, “Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?” (John 6:62). A direct question to the doubting disciples • The crowd is already stumbling over His words; Jesus sharpens the issue: – If they cannot accept His sacrificial language now, how will they respond when He visibly returns to heaven? (cf. John 6:64-65). – His question exposes unbelief, just as earlier questions did after the feeding miracle (John 6:30-36). • The moment forces each listener to decide whether to walk away or keep following (John 6:66-69). Affirming His heavenly origin • “Ascend to where He was before” plainly states that Jesus came from heaven; He is not merely an earthly teacher. – John 3:13: “No one has gone up to heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man.” – John 17:5: He prays to be glorified “with the glory I had with You before the world existed.” • By pointing back to His pre-existence (John 1:1-2, 14), Jesus underlines that His words carry divine authority. Foreshadowing the literal ascension • The verse anticipates the historical event later recorded in Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11, when Jesus bodily rose into heaven. • For those who would witness it, the ascension would validate everything He taught about coming down from heaven (Mark 16:19). • It completes the redemptive arc: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and future return (Hebrews 9:24-28). Revealing the true source of life • The question prepares for His next statement: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63). • Only by the Spirit can anyone grasp that Jesus is heaven’s bread (John 3:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14). • His ascent will pour out the Spirit (John 7:39; Acts 2:33), enabling believers to receive eternal life. Confronting offense versus faith • Many are offended (John 6:61), but Jesus does not soften His claims. • His ascending will be the ultimate line separating faith from offense—“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me” (Matthew 11:6). • Accepting His heavenly destiny equals accepting His lordship (Romans 10:9). Implications for disciples today • Believe in Jesus’ literal ascension and present reign; He intercedes for us now (Romans 8:34). • Trust that the One who ascended will also return (Acts 1:11; John 14:3). • Find assurance that our eternal life is anchored in a living, exalted Savior (Hebrews 6:19-20). summary John 6:62 challenges wavering disciples by pointing to Jesus’ coming ascension. If they struggle with His call to feed on Him spiritually, how will they handle the undeniable proof of His heavenly origin when He visibly returns to the Father? The verse affirms His pre-existence, foretells the literal ascension, separates genuine faith from offense, and anchors our hope in the exalted Son of Man who will one day come again. |
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