John 6:63

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

Complete Jewish Bible:

It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life,

Berean Standard Bible:

The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

American Standard Version:

It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

It is{G2076} the spirit{G4151} that quickeneth{G2227}; the flesh{G4561}{G3756} profiteth{G5623} nothing{G3762}: the words{G4487} that{G3739} I{G1473} speak{G2980} unto you{G5213}, they are{G2076} spirit{G4151}, and{G2532} they are{G2076} life{G2222}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 4:12

  • For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Galatians 5:25

  • If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Psalms 119:93

  • ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

John 6:68

  • Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Psalms 119:50

  • ¶ This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Deuteronomy 32:47

  • For it [is] not a vain thing for you; because it [is] your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong [your] days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

1 Peter 1:23

  • Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for John 6:63

John 6:63 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, spoken by Jesus during a discourse following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. The verse reads: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." This statement is central to the themes of spiritual nourishment and the divine origin of Jesus' teachings.

In this verse, Jesus contrasts the spiritual with the physical. He emphasizes that true life and sustenance come from the Spirit of God, not merely from physical means. The "flesh," in this context, refers to human efforts or physical sustenance, which Jesus suggests are insufficient for eternal life. This aligns with the broader Johannine theme that emphasizes the importance of spiritual truth over physical appearances or temporal satisfactions.

The words of Jesus are described as "spirit and life," indicating that they are not just informative but transformative. They carry the power of the Spirit to impart life—specifically, eternal life. This aligns with the Christian belief in Jesus as the Word of God (Logos), whose teachings and presence bring divine life to humanity. In the historical context, Jesus is revealing his divine authority and the life-giving power of his message, which contrasts with the Jewish expectations of a Messiah who would provide physical restoration and political liberation.

This verse also reflects the early Christian understanding of the nature of Scripture and the role of the Holy Spirit in interpreting and activating its truth. It suggests that the teachings of Jesus, inspired by the Spirit, have the power to spiritually enliven and transform those who receive them in faith.

In summary, John 6:63 underscores the primacy of the spiritual over the physical, the life-giving nature of Jesus' words, and the necessity of the Spirit for understanding and experiencing the true life that Jesus offers. This verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus' ministry as presented in the Gospel of John: to bring spiritual life and renewal through his divine teachings and presence.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
  2. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
  3. Strong's Number: G2227
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ζωοποιέω
    Transliteration: zōopoiéō
    Pronunciation: dzo-op-oy-eh'-o
    Description: from the same as ζῶον and ποιέω; to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively):--make alive, give life, quicken.
  4. Strong's Number: G4561
    There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σάρξ
    Transliteration: sárx
    Pronunciation: sarx
    Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
  5. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
  6. Strong's Number: G5623
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὠφελέω
    Transliteration: ōpheléō
    Pronunciation: o-fel-eh'-o
    Description: from the same as ὠφέλεια; to be useful, i.e. to benefit:--advantage, better, prevail, profit.
  7. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
  8. Strong's Number: G4487
    There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ῥῆμα
    Transliteration: rhēma
    Pronunciation: hray'-mah
    Description: from ῥέω; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.
  9. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
  10. Strong's Number: G1473
    There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐγώ
    Transliteration: egṓ
    Pronunciation: eg-o'
    Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
  11. Strong's Number: G2980
    There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λαλέω
    Transliteration: laléō
    Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
  12. Strong's Number: G5213
    There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῖν
    Transliteration: hymîn
    Pronunciation: hoo-min'
    Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
  13. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  14. Strong's Number: G2222
    There are 126 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ζωή
    Transliteration: zōḗ
    Pronunciation: dzo-ay'
    Description: from ζάω; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time). Compare ψυχή.