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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_6:35-40
35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
Joh_6:35 "I am the bread of life" This is one of the "I Am" statements which is so characteristic of John (cf. Joh_6:35; Joh_6:41; Joh_6:48; Joh_6:51; Joh_8:12; Joh_10:7; Joh_10:9; Joh_10:11; Joh_10:14; Joh_11:25; Joh_14:6; Joh_15:1; Joh_15:5). John's Gospel focuses on the person of Christ. This is related to the Jews' Messianic expectations about manna and the new Law giver Who would bring a new exodus (from sin). See note at Joh_8:12.
▣ "He who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" These are two strong Double negatives in Greek, "will never no never" (cf. Joh_6:37).
There is a parallel relationship between "comes" and "believes" (cf. Joh_7:37-38, similar to "sees" and "hears"). They are both present participles. Believers' coming and believing are not one-time decisions, but the beginning of a lifestyle of fellowship, friendship and followship.
▣ "hunger. . .thirst" Hunger and thirst were often used to describe spiritual reality (cf. Psa_42:1; Isa_55:1; Amo_8:11-12; Mat_5:6).
Joh_6:36 "that you have seen Me" Some ancient witnesses (MSS à , A, and many Old Latin, Vulgate, and Syriac versions) omit "Me," making Jesus' statement refer to His sign (i.e., feeding the crowd). The pronoun is included in so many Greek manuscripts and versions that the UBS4 could not decide which was original.
Joh_6:37 "All that My Father gives Me will come to Me" The primary emphasis of this passage is on the sovereignty of God. The two definitive passages on this theological truth are Romans 9 and Eph_1:3-14. It is interesting that in both contexts mankind's response is required. Romans 10 has seven all inclusive phrases. This is also the case in Ephesians 2, where the discussions of God' grace in Joh_6:1-7 issue in a call to faith in Joh_6:8-9. Predestination is a doctrine for the redeemed, not a barrier to the unsaved. The key to unlock the doctrine is the love and grace of God, not eternal decrees. Notice that all who God gives to Jesus also "come" to Him. God always takes the initiative (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65), but humans must respond (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16). See Special Topic at Joh_3:16.
▣ "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" This is another strong double negative. This emphasizes the truth that God calls and welcomes everyone to Himself through Christ (cf. Eze_18:21-23; Ezekiel 30-32; 1Ti_2:4; 2Pe_3:9). God always takes the initiative (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65), but humans must respond (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21). What a wonderful passage on security (cf. Rom_8:31-39)!
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Joh_6:38 "I have come down from heaven" This is perfect tense which refers to the Incarnation (cf. Joh_1:1 ff; Eph_4:8-10), and its results remain. It also shows the heavenly origin of Jesus (cf .vv. 41,62).
▣ "not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" The NT asserts both the unity of the Trinity (see Special Topic at Joh_14:26), example Joh_14:8-9 and the personality of the three persons. This verse is part of John's ongoing emphasis on Jesus' submissiveness to the Father. See full note at Joh_5:19. See Special Topic: Send (Apostellô) at Joh_5:24.
Joh_6:39 "that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing" There is an obvious relationship between the neuter singular "all that" of Joh_6:37 and the neuter singular of Joh_6:39. John uses this unusual form several times (cf. Joh_17:2; Joh_17:24). It apparently emphasizes the corporate whole (cf. Joh_6:40; Joh_6:45).
This is a great promise of God's keeping power, a source of Christian assurance (cf. Joh_10:28-29; Joh_17:2; Joh_17:24, see Special Topic at 1Jn_5:13). Notice that the verb tense of Joh_6:37 is Present tense, while in Joh_6:39 it is perfect tense. God's gift abides! Also the last two affirmations of Joh_6:39 are both aorist active; Jesus does not lose any of that which the Father has given to Him (Joh_6:37; Joh_6:39) and He raises all those who are given to Him on the last day (cf. Joh_6:44). Here are the divine promises of (1) election and (2) perseverance!
This concept of a day of consummation (both positive and negative) is called by several titles.
1. the last days, Joh_6:39-40; Joh_6:44; Joh_6:54; Joh_11:24; Joh_12:48; 2Ti_3:1; 1Pe_1:5; 2Pe_3:3
2. the last time, 1Jn_2:18; Jud_1:18
3. that day, Mat_7:22; 2Ti_1:12; 2Ti_1:18; 2Ti_4:8
4. a day, Act_17:31
5. the great day, Jud_1:6
6. the day, Luk_17:30; 1Co_3:13; 1Th_5:4; Heb_10:25
7. His day, Luk_17:24
8. the day of the Lord, 1Th_5:2; 2Th_2:2
9. the day of Christ, Php_1:10; Php_2:16
10. the day of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1Co_1:8; 1Co_5:5
11. the day of the Lord Jesus, 2Co_1:14
12. the day of Christ Jesus, Php_1:6
13. the day of the Son of man, Luk_17:24 (see also #7)
14. day of judgment, Mat_10:15; Mat_11:22; Mat_11:24; Mat_12:36; 2Pe_2:9; 2Pe_3:7; 1Jn_4:17
15. day of wrath, Rev_6:17
16. The great day of God - Rev_16:14
▣ "but raise it up in the last day" This refers to resurrection day for believers but judgment day for unbelievers (cf. Joh_6:40; Joh_6:44; Joh_6:54; Joh_5:25; Joh_5:28; Joh_11:24 and 1 Corinthians 15). Frank Stagg has a helpful statement at this point in his A New Testament Theology:
"The Gospel of John is emphatic about a future coming (Joh_14:3; Joh_14:18 f.,28; Joh_16:16; Joh_16:22) and it speaks clearly of the resurrection and final judgment 'in the last day' (Joh_5:28 f., Joh_6:39 f., 44,54; Joh_11:24; Joh_12:48); yet throughout this Fourth Gospel, eternal life, judgment, and resurrection are present realities (Joh_3:18 f.; Joh_4:23; Joh_5:25; Joh_6:54; Joh_11:23 ff.; Joh_12:28; Joh_12:31; Joh_13:31 f.; Joh_14:17; Joh_17:26)" (p. 311).
Joh_6:40 "this is the will of My Father" This is Jesus' answer to the question of Joh_6:28, "what shall we do that we may work the words of God?" See Special Topic: The Will of God at Joh_4:34.
▣ "that everyone who beholds the Son" The present active participles of "beholding" and "believing" are parallel (like "comes" and "believes" in Joh_6:35, like "sees" and "hears"). These are ongoing actions, not one-time events. The term "beholding" meant "to gaze intently" at something so as to understand or know it.
I surely like the term "everyone" (pas), notice
1. that all might believe through him, Joh_1:7
2. enlightens every man, Joh_1:9
3. whoever believes may in Him have eternal life, Joh_3:15
4. that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life, Joh_3:16
5. that all may honor the Son, Joh_5:23
6.-9. Joh_6:37; Joh_6:39-40; Joh_6:45
10. everyone who loves and believes in Me shall never die, Joh_11:26
11. I, if I, be lifted up from the earth will draw all men to Myself, Joh_12:32
12. everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness, Joh_12:46
This is the mystery of sovereignty (cf. Joh_6:38-39; Joh_17:2; Joh_17:24 vs. freewill). Both are somehow true. For me the theological concept of "covenant" unites them best!
▣ "believes in Him" Remember that salvation is primarily a personal relationship, not a creed, correct theology, or a moral lifestyle (cf. Joh_3:16; Joh_11:25-26). The stress is on the object of one's faith, not the intensity. See Special Topic at Joh_2:23.
Notice the balance of the emphasis on God's sovereign choice in Joh_6:37 a,39,44,65 and mankind's faith response in Joh_6:37 b,40. These biblical tensions must be maintained. God's sovereignty and mankind's free will form the twin aspects of biblical covenant.
▣ "may have eternal life" This is a present active subjunctive; a response is required (cf. 1Jn_5:11). Also note that Joh_6:39 is corporate, while Joh_6:40 is individual. This is the paradox of salvation.