Joh 6:44, 46 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 44. No man can come to me . This was spoken by Jesus to reprove their murmurings--"Murmur not among yourselves." They objected to his doctrine, or murmured against it, because he claimed to be greater than Moses, and because they supposed him to be a mere man, and that what he said was impossible. Jesus does not deny that these things appeared difficult, and hence he said that if any man believed, it was proof that God had inclined him. It was not to be expected that of themselves they would embrace the doctrine. If any man believed, it would be because he had been influenced by God. When we inquire what the reasons were why they did not believe, they appear to have been-- 1st. Their improper regard for Moses, as if no one could be superior to him. 2nd. Their unwillingness to believe that Jesus, whom they knew to be the reputed son of a carpenter, should be superior to Moses. 3rd. The difficulty was explained by Jesus ( ) as consisting in the opposition of their will; and ( ) when he said that their love of honour prevented their believing on him. The difficulty in the case was not, therefore, a want of natural faculties, or of power to do their duty, but erroneous opinions, pride, obstinacy, self-conceit, and a deep-felt contempt for Jesus. The word " cannot " is often used to denote a strong and violent opposition of the will . Thus we say a man is so great a liar that he cannot speak the truth, or he is so profane that he cannot but swear. We mean by it that he is so wicked that while he has that disposition the other effects will follow, but we do not mean to say that he could not break off from the habit. Thus it is said ( ) of the brethren of Joseph that they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him . Thus ( ), "How can, ye, being evil, speak good things?" See . Come to me . The same as believe on me. Draw him . This word is used here, evidently, to denote such an influence from God as to secure the result, or as to incline the mind to believe; yet the manner in which this is done is not determined by the use of the word. It is used in the New Testament six times. Once it is applied to a compulsory drawing of Paul and Silas to the market-place, . Twice it is used to denote the drawing of a net, . Once to the drawing of a sword ( ); and once in a sense similar to its use here ( ): "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." What is its meaning here must be determined by the facts about the sinner's conversion. . In the conversion of the sinner God enlightens the mind ( ), he inclines the will ( ), and he influences the soul by motives, by just views of his law, by his love, his commands, and his threatenings; by a desire of happiness, and a consciousness of danger; by the Holy Spirit applying truth to the mind, and urging him to yield himself to the Saviour. So that, while God inclines him, and will have all the glory, man yields without compulsion; the obstacles are removed, and he becomes a willing servant of God. (c) "draw him"

John 6:44

Verse 44. No man can come to me. This was spoken by Jesus to reprove their murmurings--"Murmur not among yourselves." They objected to his doctrine, or murmured against it, because he claimed to be greater than Moses, and because they supposed him to be a mere man, and that what he said was impossible. Jesus does not deny that these things appeared difficult, and hence he said that if any man believed, it was proof that God had inclined him. It was not to be expected that of themselves they would embrace the doctrine. If any man believed, it would be because he had been influenced by God. When we inquire what the reasons were why they did not believe, they appear to have been--

1st. Their improper regard for Moses, as if no one could be superior to him.

2nd. Their unwillingness to believe that Jesus, whom they knew to be the reputed son of a carpenter, should be superior to Moses.

3rd. The difficulty was explained by Jesus (Jn 5:40) as consisting in the opposition of their will; and (Jn 5:44) when he said that their love of honour prevented their believing on him. The difficulty in the case was not, therefore, a want of natural faculties, or of power to do their duty, but erroneous opinions, pride, obstinacy, self-conceit, and a deep-felt contempt for Jesus. The word "cannot" is often used to denote a strong and violent opposition of the will. Thus we say a man is so great a liar that he cannot speak the truth, or he is so profane that he cannot but swear. We mean by it that he is so wicked that while he has that disposition the other effects will follow, but we do not mean to say that he could not break off from the habit. Thus it is said (Gen 37:4) of the brethren of Joseph that they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Thus (Mt 12:34), "How can, ye, being evil, speak good things?" See Lk 14:33, 1Sam 16:2.

Come to me. The same as believe on me.

Draw him. This word is used here, evidently, to denote such an influence from God as to secure the result, or as to incline the mind to believe; yet the manner in which this is done is not determined by the use of the word. It is used in the New Testament six times. Once it is applied to a compulsory drawing of Paul and Silas to the market-place, Acts 16:19. Twice it is used to denote the drawing of a net, Jn 21:6,11. Once to the drawing of a sword (Jn 18:10); and once in a sense similar to its use here (Jn 12:32): "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." What is its meaning here must be determined by the facts about the sinner's conversion. Jn 6:40. In the conversion of the sinner God enlightens the mind (Jn 6:45), he inclines the will (Ps 110:3), and he influences the soul by motives, by just views of his law, by his love, his commands, and his threatenings; by a desire of happiness, and a consciousness of danger; by the Holy Spirit applying truth to the mind, and urging him to yield himself to the Saviour. So that, while God inclines him, and will have all the glory, man yields without compulsion; the obstacles are removed, and he becomes a willing servant of God.

John 6:46

Verse 46. Not that any man hath seen the Father. Jesus added this, evidently, to guard against mistake. He had said that all who came to him were taught of God. The teacher was commonly seen and heard by the pupil; but, lest it should be supposed that he meant to say that a man to come to him must see and hear God, visibly and audibly, he adds that he did not intend to affirm this. It was still true that no man had seen God at any time. They were not, therefore, to expect to see God, and his words were not to be perverted as if he meant to teach that.

Save he which is of God. Jesus here evidently refers to himself as the Son of God. He had just said that no man had seen the Father. When he affirms that he has seen the Father, it implies that he is more than man. He is the only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, Jn 1:18; the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, Heb 1:3; God over all, blessed for ever, Rev 9:5. By his being of God is meant that he is the only-begotten Son of God, and sent as the Messiah into the world.

Hath seen. Hath intimately known or perceived him. He knows his nature, character, plans. This is a claim to knowledge superior to what man possesses, and it cannot be understood except by supposing that Jesus is equal with God.

(f) "Not that any" Jn 5:37 (g) "save he which is of the God" Lk 10:22