John 6:37

John 6:37, in plain English

Jesus says that everyone the Father gives Him will come to Him, and whoever comes, He will absolutely never turn away. The door is always open.

Why it's here

After saying they do not believe, Jesus offers hope: God is actively drawing people, and anyone who comes to Jesus will be welcomed without exception.

Who's speaking

Jesus delivers one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture: if you come to Him, He will never, ever reject you.

Where it sits in the story

If the last verse was sobering, this one is deeply reassuring. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, if you come to Jesus, He will not turn you away. Not ever. That is a promise you can build your entire life on.

The scholarly reading

The contrast between human rejection (v.36) and divine election is stark: 'Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me' (pan ho didōsin moi ho patēr pros eme hēxei). The neuter pan ('everything/everyone') emphasizes totality. Jesus' promise 'I will never drive away' (ou mē ekbalō exō, emphatic double negative) guarantees the security of all who come.

Language and setting

This verse introduces the sovereignty-responsibility tension that pervades John 6. Human unbelief (v.36) is juxtaposed with divine giving (v.37a) and Jesus' unwavering welcome (v.37b). The Father initiates, the Son receives, and none are rejected.

Voice

Jesus balances the reality of human unbelief with the assurance of divine sovereignty and His unconditional welcome of all the Father gives Him.

Significance

After the heartbreak of unbelief, Jesus offers one of the most comforting promises in Scripture. While many will reject Him, those whom the Father draws will certainly come, and Jesus will never, ever turn them away. The door is always open.

35Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

36But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.

37Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.

38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

39And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.

Read all of John 6 — Jesus feeds five thousand, walks on water, and then makes a claim so shocking that many of his followers abandon him on the spot.