John 6:63
Verse
Context
Many Disciples Turn Back
62Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
It is the spirit that quickeneth - It is the spiritual sense only of my words that is to be attended to, and through which life is to be attained, Co2 3:6. Such only as eat and drink what I have mentioned, in a spiritual sense, are to expect eternal life. The flesh profiteth nothing - If ye could even eat my flesh and drink my blood, this would not avail for your salvation. These words contain a caution that the hearers should not understand his words in the strict literal sense, as if his body were really Bread, and as if his flesh and blood were really to be eaten and drank. The words that I speak - Or, I have spoken. Instead of λαλω, I speak, I read λελαληκα, I have spoken, on the authority of BCDKLT, thirteen others; the Syriac, all the Arabic, all the Persic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Gothic, Slavonic, Vulgate, all the Itala; Origen, Eusebius, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril, Chrysostom, Tertullian, Ambrosias, Augustin, Gaudentius, and Vigilius Taps. This is an important reading, and plainly shows that our Lord's words here do not refer to any new point of doctrine which he was then inculcating, but to what he had spoken concerning his being the living bread, and concerning the eating of his flesh, and drinking of his blood, in the preceding verses. Are spirit, and they are life - As my words are to be spiritually understood, so the life they promise is of a spiritual nature: see Bishop Pearce.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the flesh profiteth nothing--Much of His discourse was about "flesh"; but flesh as such, mere flesh, could profit nothing, much less impart that life which the Holy Spirit alone communicates to the soul. the words that I speak . . . are spirit and . . . life--The whole burden of the discourse is "spirit," not mere flesh, and "life" in its highest, not its lowest sense, and the words I have employed are to be interpreted solely in that sense.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he said, therefore said I unto you,.... Referring to Joh 6:44, where the substance of what is here said, is there delivered; though the Ethiopic version reads, therefore I say unto you, what follows: that no man can come to me, except it be given him of my Father; which is the same, as to be drawn by the Father; for faith in Christ is the gift of God, and coming to him, is owing to efficacious grace, and is not the produce of man's power and freewill; See Gill on Joh 6:44.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:63 The essence of Jesus’ gift is found in the Holy Spirit alone, not in human effort (literally the flesh). Life and understanding come through the gift of the Spirit (see 14:15-20; 20:21-22). True life can be found only when the Holy Spirit infuses human life.
John 6:63
Many Disciples Turn Back
62Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Basics) 13. Religiosity and Spirituality
By Zac Poonen6.4K12:44MAT 22:37JHN 6:632CO 11:141TI 4:12TI 3:5In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between religious form and spiritual power. He refers to 2 Timothy 3:5, which warns about people who hold onto a form of godliness but deny its power. The preacher compares Satan's deception to giving someone a glass of milk with a few drops of poison, highlighting that Satan often disguises himself as an angel of light. He explains that being religious and following external religious practices does not necessarily make a person spiritual, using examples from Jesus' teachings and the Pharisees' behavior. The sermon emphasizes the need for inner transformation and a genuine love for God, rather than just outward religious observance.
Following Jesus: The Straight Gate
By Hans R. Waldvogel3.7K23:43Following JesusPSA 119:9JHN 6:63JHN 14:3ACT 2:38ROM 8:141CO 11:1EPH 5:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being a follower of Jesus Christ. He highlights that Jesus is the only way to the Father and without Him, no one can be reconciled to God. The preacher discusses how humanity has been seeking the way through various philosophies and fields of study, but ultimately, it is only through Jesus that salvation is found. He urges the listeners to examine their own faith and ensure that they are truly following Jesus, rather than relying on religious practices or the company of other believers. The sermon concludes with a reminder that the road to destruction is wide, but the way of life is narrow and requires repentance and surrender to God.
Knowing the Heart of God
By Billy Humphrey2.8K01:42JER 20:9JHN 6:63HEB 4:12This sermon emphasizes the importance of speaking words that are infused with life and a prophetic edge, which can only come from intimacy with God. It contrasts empty Christian rhetoric with impactful, life-giving words that reflect a deep connection with the heart of Jesus. The speaker encourages the audience to seek a revelation of Jesus' heart, opinions, thoughts, emotions, and feelings, moving beyond surface-level knowledge to a profound relationship with Him.
New Birth (Rora 2003)
By Norman Meeten2.5K1:26:49New BirthMAT 6:33JHN 6:63ROM 15:42TI 3:161PE 3:151JN 1:71JN 2:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a testimony of Jesus in our daily lives. He highlights the impossibility of embracing this without the constant supply of the Holy Spirit. The speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a man who confessed his faith in Jesus but had a huge problem - his wife was dying of cancer. The speaker and a few others visited the woman and witnessed her emaciated state, yet she still had a smile on her face. This story serves as a reminder of the stark contrast between the material abundance in some parts of the world and the extreme poverty and suffering in others.
The Deadly Danger of Humanism
By B.B. Caldwell2.1K41:09HumanismMAT 6:33LUK 4:29JHN 6:63GAL 5:22In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of preaching the naked truth of God's word rather than relying on flashy tactics to attract a crowd. He criticizes the invitation system used by many churches, stating that it is not supported by the Bible. The preacher also highlights the dangers of humanism and emphasizes the need for individuals to understand the marks of a saved person. He concludes by explaining why humanists hate divine truth, stating that it kills the flesh and robs man of his glory.
Studies in the Gospel of John 03 - I Am the Way
By Alden Gannett1.7K51:19Jesus ChristJHN 6:63JHN 14:5In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal anecdote about teaching a class and facing a similar problem as Jesus did with Philip. The main question addressed is how to see God. The speaker highlights the skepticism of the current generation and their demand for tangible evidence of God's existence. However, the speaker emphasizes that the primary concern of Jesus in this passage is the disciples' understanding and belief in the reality of God. The sermon also touches on the importance of spiritual activity, love for one another, witnessing, obedience, and abiding in Christ.
Only God Can Do the Work of God and David Platt
By Francis Chan1.6K08:11MAT 11:15JHN 6:63JHN 15:9This sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing the Spirit to work in people's hearts rather than trying to forcefully persuade or manufacture change. It highlights the need for complete dependence on God's Spirit to bring about true heart transformation and the importance of abiding in God's love as the source of obedience and joy. The speaker also reflects on the danger of making revival or outward success an idol, stressing the ultimate priority of experiencing and enjoying a deep relationship with Jesus.
(Through the Bible) John 6
By Chuck Smith1.6K37:17MAT 16:18MAT 16:23JHN 2:19JHN 5:39JHN 6:63JHN 6:68JHN 20:31In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of satisfaction and how worldly pleasures and pursuits often leave us unsatisfied. He emphasizes that Jesus is the bread of God and the only source of true satisfaction. The speaker encourages the audience to believe in Jesus and partake of him, as he promises that those who do will never hunger or thirst again. The sermon also touches on the importance of faith and the assurance that Jesus will never cast out those who come to him.
Growing in the Grace of God #07 - the Holy Spirit Covenant Part 1
By Bob Hoekstra1.6K53:45MAT 6:33JHN 6:53JHN 6:63ROM 8:9GAL 3:2GAL 6:18EPH 2:8In this sermon transcript, Pastor Chuck emphasizes the importance of focusing on the grace of God through Jesus rather than the law of Moses. He states that the Galatians' greatest need was to understand and walk in the power of the Spirit instead of relying on their own efforts. Pastor Chuck shares a personal story about ministering to a wayward husband and being deeply affected by the man's loss and brokenness. He also highlights the need for humility and recognition of our own shortcomings, as no one is exempt from the list of sins mentioned in the Bible. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the need to rely on His Spirit rather than our own efforts.
Doctrine of Election & Man's Free Will
By Rolfe Barnard1.5K45:02JHN 5:39JHN 6:44JHN 6:47JHN 6:51JHN 6:63JHN 6:66In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to God's truth in order to be drawn to Christ. He explains that God draws men to His Son by becoming their teacher and bringing them face to face with the truth about Jesus. The preacher uses examples from Acts 16 to illustrate how different individuals were brought to God in different ways, such as Lydia, who became a listener and attended to the word of God. The sermon also mentions the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, highlighting the power they had in crucifying Him.
What Shall We Do That We Might Work the Works of God?
By Major Ian Thomas1.5K1:16:59BeliefEXO 28:40MAT 16:24JHN 6:27JHN 6:63JHN 6:661PE 2:9In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of interest among Christians in attending meetings where the Word of God is taught. He suggests that many Christians are only interested in securing an insurance policy for heaven and do not truly desire to understand the implications of the Word of God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing Christ to work through believers and the potential impact it could have on the world. He highlights the disciples' realization on the day of Pentecost that Christ spoke through them, resulting in the conversion of 3000 people. The sermon concludes with a reminder that true discipleship requires accepting Christ's terms and being willing to face the consequences, as demonstrated by the disciples who walked away when they realized the true implications of following Jesus.
Natural, Spiritual or Carnal
By Dennis Kinlaw1.4K53:48CarnalityJHN 5:19JHN 6:63JHN 8:28JHN 8:58JHN 10:301CO 2:14PHP 2:5In this sermon, the speaker discusses the mind of Christ and the characteristics that should not be present in believers. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the difference between capital R reality, which is the truth of God, and little R reality, which is the distorted perception of the natural man. The speaker uses the example of Jesus feeding the 5,000 to illustrate how people often miss the true reality until they experience regenerating grace. He concludes by highlighting four negative imperatives that should not be present in believers, such as selfish ambition, and encourages listeners to align their agendas with Christ's.
Breaking New Ground: Capernaum and Beyond
By Clayton Dougan1.3K51:08Venture Of FaithPSA 46:10MAT 6:33MAT 7:29LUK 4:41JHN 6:63In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of breaking new ground in our walk with God. He acknowledges that change can be challenging and that many of us prefer routine and dislike change. However, he encourages listeners to embrace change and seek growth in their relationship with God. The speaker also highlights the significance of spending time alone with God in His Word, as it is through this quiet time that we can truly meet and know Him. He concludes by stating that the church in Canada has lost its authority and calls for believers to be real and faithful in their ministry, trusting that God will make the seed grow.
Religious Hell
By Sammy Allen1.3K1:04:06PSA 119:105JHN 3:6JHN 6:63EPH 2:8HEB 12:8JAS 1:261JN 2:12In this sermon, the preacher poses six questions to determine if someone has truly been born again. The questions include whether the Holy Spirit lives in them, if they have become a new creature, if they love the brethren and the church, if they love the word of God, and if they experience chastisement when they do wrong. The preacher references Hebrews 12:8, which states that those without chastisement are not true sons. He also shares personal anecdotes about individuals who made professions of faith and the importance of preaching on specific topics, such as sin and hail. The sermon concludes with a call for preachers to stand up.
Is America Dying?
By Ray Brubaker1.1K13:05AmericaLUK 8:13LUK 12:35JHN 3:5JHN 6:631JN 2:191JN 5:12REV 2:4The sermon transcript discusses the phenomenon of people professing faith in Jesus Christ but then drifting away from their faith. The speaker emphasizes the importance of true repentance, daily seeking the Lord's help, and reading the Bible faithfully to maintain a strong faith. The sermon also highlights the spiritual decline in America and the need for a revival. The speaker urges listeners to be born again through faith in Christ and to live for Him daily.
Labor to Enter Into That Rest
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.1K24:31RestPSA 81:13PSA 119:11LUK 16:29JHN 5:39JHN 6:63HEB 4:122PE 1:3In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of hearing and heeding the word of God. He highlights how the word of God is alive, powerful, and transformative, likening it to a two-edged sword that discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. The preacher expresses concern over the changing of the Bible in some churches, stating that it is still relevant and necessary in a world flooded with pornography. He encourages believers to diligently study and meditate on the word of God, allowing it to create substance within them and transform their lives. Additionally, the preacher emphasizes the privilege believers have to boldly approach the throne of grace and obtain mercy through Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Prayer — Our Daily Bread
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.1K30:16Lord's PrayerPSA 119:11JER 15:16MAT 6:11JHN 1:1JHN 6:632TI 3:161PE 2:2In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the word of God and its power to transform lives. He highlights the need to seek God's will and pray for His kingdom to come on earth. The preacher also discusses the blessing of spending time with God through reading and meditating on His word. He contrasts those who have intellectual knowledge of the Bible but lack spiritual life with those who have encountered the Holy Spirit and have a deep understanding of God's glory through Jesus Christ.
What His Presence Is Not: The Church Today - Part 1
By Ray Andrews1.1K53:48God's PresencePSA 119:11MAT 4:4JHN 1:1JHN 5:39JHN 6:632CO 3:62TI 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of getting close to Jesus and finding the true witness of the Holy Spirit within ourselves. He encourages the audience to seek a genuine relationship with Christ rather than just seeking knowledge or information. The speaker also highlights the need for the church to be encouraged and disheartened, and questions why there is a lack of spiritual connection. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with the living word of God and finding the man behind the book, Jesus Christ. The sermon references the book of Joshua and the example of David faithfully serving his generation, emphasizing that this is our generation and our day to make a difference.
Hear His Word and Take Steps in God, or Go Down Like the Titanic
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.1K25:12TitanicISA 6:8MAT 25:21JHN 6:631CO 10:13GAL 5:22JAS 1:22REV 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings and messages from God. He uses the example of the sinking of the Titanic to illustrate the consequences of not paying attention to danger. The preacher encourages the congregation to not only listen to God's word but also to act upon it. He emphasizes the need to be doers of the word and to take steps in God's will. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God speaks to our hearts and reveals His will to us, and it is our responsibility to diligently listen and obey.
If Ye Continue
By Paris Reidhead1.0K31:18SalvationMAT 17:5JHN 6:63JHN 8:31JHN 8:47HEB 1:1HEB 2:1HEB 12:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of listening to God's Son, as God has spoken to us through prophets in the past but now speaks to us through His Son. The speaker highlights that Jesus is the Creator, the heir, the sustainer, the revelation, the Redeemer, and the sovereign under whom everyone is subject. Therefore, the speaker urges the audience to pay close attention to everything that God has said through His Son. The sermon also touches on the incomparable nature of Jesus Christ and Christianity, stating that no other religion can be compared to it. The speaker concludes by emphasizing that every knee will eventually bow before Jesus, and the only choice people have is when to bow - either voluntarily now and live, or later and face eternal consequences.
Know, Receive, and Believe - Part 2 Receiving
By Derek Melton1.0K53:27BelievingMAT 5:27MRK 11:24JHN 1:1JHN 6:63JHN 10:211CO 6:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of truly receiving Jesus Christ and understanding what it means to do so. He challenges the notion that simply saying we have received Jesus is enough, and highlights the need for a deeper understanding and commitment to His commandments. The preacher addresses the current generation's disregard for Jesus and His truths, and calls for believers to live with integrity and obedience. The sermon also delves into the exposition of John chapter 1, focusing on the significance of the Word being with God and being God, and the role of Jesus as the light of men.
'We Know'
By Meirion Thomas9391:15:56MAT 6:33JHN 1:4JHN 4:14JHN 6:35JHN 6:63JHN 8:32ROM 10:17In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the darkness and emptiness of the world and the need for salvation. He shares a story about beach missioners who speak to children about Gospel truths while their fathers are engaged in other activities. The preacher highlights the importance of hearing the voice of Jesus and understanding his identity. He also mentions the missionary exhibition as an example of the impact of the word of God in modern situations. The content of the word of God is described as giving dignity, identity, and responsibility to humanity, even in their fallen state. The preacher emphasizes the theme of discovery and the search for truth and meaning in John's Gospel. The sermon concludes by highlighting the ultimate giving of God in sending his only begotten son.
All Nature Groans
By John Follette80539:01ConsummationPSA 19:1MAT 4:4JHN 6:63JHN 14:26JHN 16:131CO 2:92TI 3:16In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the groaning of nature and how it relates to our own spiritual groaning. They share a personal story about a bird that they communicate with and how it eventually brings its companion to them. The speaker emphasizes the importance of revelation and how it comes in a three-fold pattern: through nature, the written Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. They encourage the audience to be attuned to the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings and to embrace the simplicity and profundity of God's teachings.
If My Words Abide in You
By John Piper63946:44PSA 1:2PSA 40:5PSA 103:2JHN 3:34JHN 6:63JHN 17:17ROM 10:171PE 1:231JN 2:14This sermon emphasizes the importance of memorizing scripture to deepen understanding, strengthen faith, shape worldview, overcome temptation, guard the mind, and minister to others effectively. It highlights the transformative power of God's Word, the necessity of abiding in Jesus' words for sanctification, and the victory over the enemy through scripture. The speaker shares personal testimonies and insights on the significance of Bible memory in experiencing God's wondrous deeds and thoughts in daily life.
Singing Hills, 1987
By Norman Grubb6142:00:40ConferenceMAT 6:33JHN 1:1JHN 6:63ROM 6:2COL 3:32TI 3:16HEB 4:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding who we are and what we know in our relationship with God. They highlight the need for a passionate pursuit of God and a deep faith in His teachings. The speaker also discusses the concept of God coming down to meet us and the significance of surrendering ourselves to Him. They emphasize that suffering is a part of life, but through our connection with God, we can find purpose and learn from our experiences. The sermon references the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
It is the spirit that quickeneth - It is the spiritual sense only of my words that is to be attended to, and through which life is to be attained, Co2 3:6. Such only as eat and drink what I have mentioned, in a spiritual sense, are to expect eternal life. The flesh profiteth nothing - If ye could even eat my flesh and drink my blood, this would not avail for your salvation. These words contain a caution that the hearers should not understand his words in the strict literal sense, as if his body were really Bread, and as if his flesh and blood were really to be eaten and drank. The words that I speak - Or, I have spoken. Instead of λαλω, I speak, I read λελαληκα, I have spoken, on the authority of BCDKLT, thirteen others; the Syriac, all the Arabic, all the Persic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Gothic, Slavonic, Vulgate, all the Itala; Origen, Eusebius, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril, Chrysostom, Tertullian, Ambrosias, Augustin, Gaudentius, and Vigilius Taps. This is an important reading, and plainly shows that our Lord's words here do not refer to any new point of doctrine which he was then inculcating, but to what he had spoken concerning his being the living bread, and concerning the eating of his flesh, and drinking of his blood, in the preceding verses. Are spirit, and they are life - As my words are to be spiritually understood, so the life they promise is of a spiritual nature: see Bishop Pearce.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the flesh profiteth nothing--Much of His discourse was about "flesh"; but flesh as such, mere flesh, could profit nothing, much less impart that life which the Holy Spirit alone communicates to the soul. the words that I speak . . . are spirit and . . . life--The whole burden of the discourse is "spirit," not mere flesh, and "life" in its highest, not its lowest sense, and the words I have employed are to be interpreted solely in that sense.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he said, therefore said I unto you,.... Referring to Joh 6:44, where the substance of what is here said, is there delivered; though the Ethiopic version reads, therefore I say unto you, what follows: that no man can come to me, except it be given him of my Father; which is the same, as to be drawn by the Father; for faith in Christ is the gift of God, and coming to him, is owing to efficacious grace, and is not the produce of man's power and freewill; See Gill on Joh 6:44.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:63 The essence of Jesus’ gift is found in the Holy Spirit alone, not in human effort (literally the flesh). Life and understanding come through the gift of the Spirit (see 14:15-20; 20:21-22). True life can be found only when the Holy Spirit infuses human life.