Meaning of John 6:62

Jesus' rhetorical question in John 6:62, "Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!" serves as a pointed challenge to his disciples who are struggling with his teaching about the Bread of Life. Having just declared that his flesh is true food and his blood is true drink, and that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood have eternal life and will be raised up on the last day, many of his followers found his words hard to accept and began to turn away. Jesus, aware of their grumbling and their difficulty in comprehending his spiritual sustenance, poses this question to highlight the even greater difficulty they would face if they could not even grasp his present, physical presence and the spiritual reality it represented, let alone witness his ascension, which would further underscore his divine origin and otherworldly nature.

Context and Background

This verse is situated within Jesus' discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. The crowd, having been physically satisfied, sought Jesus again, not necessarily for spiritual truth, but for more physical provision. Jesus redirects their focus from temporal bread to eternal life, presenting himself as the true manna from heaven. His teaching on eating his flesh and drinking his blood is highly symbolic, referring to the act of believing in him, accepting his sacrifice, and internalizing his life and teachings, which leads to spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The disciples' reaction – "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" – reveals their literalistic understanding and their inability to grasp the spiritual dimension of Jesus' words.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary theme is the divine identity and origin of Jesus. His ascension is presented as an undeniable demonstration of his pre-existence and his unique relationship with God the Father. A secondary theme is faith in the face of incomprehension. Jesus anticipates that his physical departure will only deepen the disciples' confusion if they cannot accept his current, more tangible, revelation. The verse also implicitly addresses the nature of spiritual understanding, which transcends mere intellectual assent and requires a receptive heart.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse underscores the necessity of trusting in Jesus' divine claims even when they are difficult to fully comprehend. It calls for a faith that looks beyond the immediate and the earthly to the eternal and the heavenly. The ascension, which Jesus alludes to, is a pivotal event confirming his victory over sin and death and his return to the Father, from where he intercedes for us. This knowledge should strengthen our resolve to follow him, even when his teachings challenge our conventional understanding.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Jesus' reference to ascending "to where he was before" directly connects to the doctrine of his pre-existence as the eternal Son of God, a theme woven throughout Scripture. It anticipates his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, which are foundational to Christian theology. The ascension signifies the fulfillment of his earthly mission and his exaltation to the right hand of God, as prophesied in passages like Psalm 110:1 and anticipated in Old Testament accounts of divine ascent. This verse prepares the audience for the eventual understanding of Jesus' divine nature and his cosmic significance.

Analogies

Imagine a scientist presenting a groundbreaking theory that challenges established laws. Initially, many may dismiss it because it seems counterintuitive or impossible based on current knowledge. However, if that scientist then demonstrates the theory through irrefutable experiments, culminating in a demonstration that transcends earthly limitations, the initial skepticism would be put to shame. Similarly, Jesus' ascension would be the ultimate demonstration of his divine authority and origin, a "proof" for those who doubted his words about his heavenly origin and the spiritual sustenance he offers. Another analogy could be a king in disguise among his subjects. His pronouncements of royal authority might be met with disbelief, but his eventual return to his palace in full regalia would leave no room for doubt about his true identity.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with John 3:13: "No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man." Both verses emphasize Jesus' unique origin and his authority to speak of heavenly matters because he has been there and is returning there. John 1:1-2, stating "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," provides the theological backdrop for Jesus' claim of pre-existence and his eventual ascension. Furthermore, Acts 1:9, which describes his ascension, serves as the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophetic statement here, confirming his divine trajectory.