John 6:45 – “It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus continues explaining how people come to faith in Him. He is responding to the doubts and complaints of the Jewish crowd, who struggled to accept His claim that He came down from heaven.

Jesus quotes from the Old Testament—“They will all be taught by God”—to show that the truth He is teaching is not new, but part of God’s plan all along.

1. Jesus is saying that true faith comes from being “taught by God.”
   • This does not mean people learn facts about God by human effort.
   • Instead, it means that God opens their hearts to understand and accept the truth.
2. Those who truly listen to God will recognize Jesus.
   • Jesus says, “Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.”
   • This means that people who are open to God’s truth will naturally come to Christ.
   • If someone rejects Jesus, it means they have not truly listened to God.
3. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s teaching.
   • The Old Testament prophets pointed forward to a time when God would personally teach His people.
   • Jesus is showing that this promise is fulfilled in Him—He is the ultimate Teacher, sent by the Father.

This verse reinforces what Jesus had just said in John 6:44—that no one comes to Him unless the Father draws them.

Historical Context

The Jewish people highly valued the Scriptures and believed that God revealed His truth through the Law and the Prophets. However, many of them were blind to how the Old Testament pointed to Jesus.

1. Jesus quotes Isaiah 54:13 – “All your children will be taught by the Lord.”
   • This prophecy spoke of a future time when God would personally teach His people.
   • Jesus is claiming that this is happening right now through Him.
2. Jewish leaders thought they understood God, but they rejected Jesus.
   • The religious leaders spent their lives studying Scripture, yet they failed to recognize the Messiah.
   • Jesus is exposing their spiritual blindness—they were not truly being taught by God.
3. Faith in Jesus is a sign of truly knowing God.
   • Jesus says that those who have truly heard from the Father will come to Him.
   • This means that rejecting Jesus is evidence that someone has not truly learned from God.

Theological Implications

1. God is the one who teaches people the truth.
   • Understanding spiritual truth is not just about human effort—it requires God’s revelation.
   • Faith is not just about studying Scripture—it’s about God opening a person’s heart.
2. True faith leads to Jesus.
   • Jesus makes it clear: If someone really listens to the Father, they will come to Him.
   • This means that no one can claim to know God while rejecting Jesus.
3. Salvation involves both God’s teaching and human response.
   • God teaches and draws people to Jesus.
   • But people must hear, learn, and respond in faith.

This verse shows that faith in Jesus is the natural result of truly being taught by God.

Literary Analysis

This verse continues the pattern found throughout John’s Gospel:

• Jesus makes a claim about Himself.
• The people misunderstand or resist.
• Jesus explains the deeper spiritual truth.

The Old Testament reference in this verse is important:

• Isaiah 54:13 – “All your children will be taught by the Lord.”
• This prophecy spoke of a time when God would personally instruct His people.
• Jesus connects this prophecy to Himself, showing that He is the fulfillment.

John frequently emphasizes that true understanding comes from God:

• John 3:3 – “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
• John 5:39-40 – The Jews searched the Scriptures, but failed to see Jesus in them.
• John 6:44 – No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws them.

This verse confirms that faith is a supernatural work of God—not just an intellectual decision.

Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 54:13 – “All your children will be taught by the Lord.”
• Jeremiah 31:33-34 – God promises to write His law on people’s hearts and personally teach them.
• John 14:26 – The Holy Spirit will teach believers and remind them of Jesus’ words.
• Matthew 11:27 – “No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 – Spiritual truths can only be understood through the Spirit of God.

These verses confirm that true knowledge of God comes from Him, not from human wisdom alone.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Faith is a result of God’s work in our hearts.
   • If you believe in Jesus, it’s because God has taught you and opened your heart.
   • This should lead to gratitude and humility—we did not come to faith by our own wisdom.
2. We should rely on God’s teaching, not just human effort.
   • Bible study is important, but we must ask God to open our hearts and guide us in truth.
   • The Holy Spirit continues to teach us as we grow in faith.
3. If someone rejects Jesus, it means they are not truly listening to God.
   • Many people claim to know God but reject Jesus—Jesus says this is impossible.
   • True faith in God always leads to faith in Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

1. God loves us enough to teach us Himself.
   • He doesn’t leave us lost or confused—He reveals truth to those who seek Him.
2. God draws people to Jesus because He desires to save them.
   • His teaching is not just about knowledge—it is about bringing people into a relationship with Christ.
3. God’s love is patient, even with those who resist His truth.
   • Many in the crowd rejected Jesus, yet He continued teaching and inviting them to believe.

God’s love is seen in how He reaches out to people, calls them, and teaches them the way of salvation.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to teach His people.
   • The Old Testament predicted that God Himself would teach His people.
   • Jesus is showing that this is happening through Him—He is the true Teacher.
2. Jesus is the only way to truly know the Father.
   • Jesus says that everyone who has learned from the Father will come to Him.
   • This confirms that knowing God means believing in Christ.
3. Jesus is the center of God’s revelation.
   • God teaches people to lead them to Jesus.
   • Rejecting Jesus means rejecting the Father’s teaching.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to be “taught by God”?
2. How does this verse show that faith is more than just human effort?
3. Why do some people who study the Bible still reject Jesus?
4. How does this verse encourage you to trust God’s guidance in your spiritual life?
5. What are some ways you can be more open to God’s teaching in your daily life?