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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 6:62 - 6:62
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62. ἐὰν οὖν θ. Literally, If therefore ye should behold the Son of man ascending where He was before? The sentence breaks off (aposiopesis) leaving something to be understood: but what is to be understood? The answer to this depends on the meaning assigned to ‘behold the Son of man ascending.’ The most literal and obvious interpretation is of an actual beholding of the Ascension: and in that case we supply; ‘Would ye still take offence then?’ The Ascension would prove that their carnal interpretation of the eating and drinking must be wrong. Against this interpretation it is urged (1) that S. John does not record the Ascension. But it is assumed, if not here and Joh 3:13, yet certainly Joh 20:17 as a fact; and in all three cases it is in the words of our Lord that the reference occurs. S. John throughout assumes that the main events of Christ’s life and the fundamental elements of Christianity are well known to his readers. (2) That none but the Twelve witnessed the Ascension, while this is addressed to a multitude of doubting disciples. But some of the Twelve were present: and Christ speaks hypothetically; ‘if ye should behold,’ not ‘when ye shall behold.’ (3) That in this case we should expect ἀλλά instead of οὖν. Possibly, but not necessarily. The alternative interpretation is to make the ‘ascending’ refer to the whole drama which led to Christ’s return to glory, especially the Passion (comp. Joh 7:33, Joh 13:3, Joh 14:12; Joh 14:28, Joh 16:5; Joh 16:28, Joh 17:11; Joh 17:13): and in that case we supply; ‘Will not the sight of a suffering Messiah offend you still more?’ Winer, p. 750.