John 6:65 – “He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus is explaining why some people do not believe in Him. He had just said that there were some among His followers who did not truly believe (John 6:64). Now, He makes it clear that faith is not just a human decision—it is a work of God.

1. Salvation is initiated by God, not by human effort.
   • Jesus states that no one can come to Him unless the Father enables them.
   • This means that true faith is not just about human willpower or intellectual understanding—it happens because God draws people to Jesus.
2. People do not naturally seek God on their own.
   • Because of sin, people’s hearts are hardened against God (Romans 3:10-11).
   • If left to themselves, they would never seek salvation—they need God to open their hearts.
3. This verse reinforces what Jesus already said in John 6:44.
   • In that verse, Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”
   • Now, He repeats the same truth—faith is ultimately a gift from God.

This verse shows that God is the one who enables people to believe in Jesus—it is not something people do on their own.

Historical Context

1. Many in the crowd were rejecting Jesus.
   • Jesus had just taught that He is the Bread of Life and that people must trust in Him for eternal life (John 6:35-58).
   • This was a hard teaching, and many of His followers were struggling to accept it.
2. The Jewish leaders were already opposed to Jesus.
   • The religious leaders had rejected Jesus’ authority and were plotting against Him (John 5:18).
   • Jesus was making it clear that only those whom the Father enables will truly come to faith.
3. The idea of God choosing people was not new.
   • In the Old Testament, God chose Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
   • Jesus is now revealing that faith in Him also happens by God’s choice and enabling.

Jesus is explaining why some people embrace Him while others reject Him—it is because God must work in their hearts first.

Theological Implications

1. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.
   • No one can come to Jesus unless God the Father enables them.
   • This means that salvation is not based on human merit, but on God’s grace.
2. Faith is a gift from God.
   • People do not naturally choose God—God must first open their hearts.
   • This is seen throughout Scripture (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. Those who reject Jesus do so because they have not been enabled by the Father.
   • Some people heard Jesus’ words and still rejected Him—this was because they had not been drawn by God.
   • Jesus is explaining why some follow Him while others turn away.

Jesus is making it clear that true faith is not just a personal decision—it is a response to God’s calling.

Literary Analysis

1. Jesus repeats a key truth.
   • He had already said in John 6:44 that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them.
   • Now, He says it again to emphasize that salvation is God’s work, not man’s effort.
2. This verse leads directly to a moment of division.
   • In the very next verse (John 6:66), many of Jesus’ followers turn away.
   • This shows that some people reject Jesus because they were never truly drawn to Him by the Father.
3. The phrase “the Father has enabled them” is crucial.
   • It shows that faith is not random—it is the result of God’s work in a person’s heart.
   • This aligns with John’s Gospel, which repeatedly teaches that faith is given by God (John 1:12-13, John 15:16).

This verse highlights that faith in Jesus happens because of God’s enabling, not because of human effort alone.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”
• John 1:12-13 – People are born into God’s family not by human decision, but by God’s will.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
• Romans 8:30 – “Those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified.”
• 2 Timothy 1:9 – “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.”

These passages confirm that faith and salvation are gifts from God, not something people achieve on their own.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. We should be humbled and grateful for our faith.
   • If we believe in Jesus, it is because God has enabled us to come to Him.
   • This should make us thankful and humble, knowing that our faith is not our own doing.
2. We should pray for those who do not yet believe.
   • Since God is the one who draws people to Jesus, we should pray that He works in the hearts of unbelievers.
   • Instead of getting frustrated when people reject Jesus, we should ask God to open their hearts.
3. We must share the Gospel, but trust God to do the work.
   • Our job is to tell people about Jesus, but only God can bring them to faith.
   • This means we should share the message faithfully and trust that God will use it in His timing.

Jesus is reminding us that faith is a gift from God, and we must rely on Him to bring people to salvation.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

1. God’s love is seen in how He draws people to Jesus.
   • He does not leave people to find their own way—He calls them to Himself.
2. God’s love is seen in His grace.
   • No one deserves salvation, yet God freely gives faith to those He calls.
3. God desires real relationship, not just empty religion.
   • He does not just want people to follow rules—He wants their hearts to truly know Jesus.

This verse shows that God’s love is personal and active—He is the one who calls people into a relationship with Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the only way to God.
   • The Father draws people to Jesus alone—there is no other way to eternal life.
2. Jesus knows who truly believes.
   • Just as He knew who would reject Him, He also knows those who are His.
3. Jesus’ mission was to do the Father’s will.
   • He came to save those whom the Father had given Him (John 6:37-39).

This verse reminds us that faith in Jesus is not a random choice—it is the result of God’s calling and grace.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach about God’s role in salvation?
2. How does knowing that faith is a gift from God change the way we think about our own salvation?
3. Why do some people reject Jesus even after hearing the Gospel?
4. How can we pray for and share the Gospel with people who do not yet believe?
5. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can come to God purely by their own decision?