John 6:36

KJV

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} I said {G2036} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} ye {G3708} also {G2532} have seen {G3708} me {G3165}, and {G2532} believe {G4100} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I told you that you have seen but still don’t trust.

Berean Standard Bible

But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.

American Standard Version

But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus confronts those who have physically observed Him and His miraculous works yet remain in a state of unbelief. This verse serves as a poignant lament and a stark declaration of the human heart's resistance to divine truth, highlighting the critical distinction between mere physical sight or intellectual awareness and genuine, saving faith in His person and mission as the Son of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - The Bread of Life Discourse") is pivotal, following Jesus' miraculous [feeding of the five thousand](/john/6-1-15 "John 6:1-15 - Feeding the Five Thousand"). The crowd, initially impressed by the physical provision, seeks to make Jesus king by force, motivated by their desire for more bread. Jesus then withdraws and later engages them in the profound "Bread of Life" discourse in Capernaum. In this discourse, He shifts their focus from perishable food to Himself as the true spiritual sustenance, declaring, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")." Despite these profound spiritual claims and the preceding miracles, many in the crowd murmur and question His origin and authority, struggling to grasp His divine nature. Verse 36 directly addresses this prevalent unbelief, setting the stage for even greater division among His followers as the discourse continues.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was deeply steeped in messianic expectations, often envisioning a political or military deliverer who would free Israel from Roman oppression and restore the Davidic kingdom. The miracle of the manna in the wilderness, where God provided bread from heaven for Israel ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")), heavily influenced their understanding of a coming prophet or Messiah. Many in the crowd in [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - The Bread of Life Discourse") likely saw Jesus as a new Moses, capable of providing physical sustenance. However, Jesus challenged these earthly expectations by presenting Himself as the spiritual "bread from heaven" ([John 6:32-33](/john/6-32-33 "John 6:32-33 - True Bread from Heaven")), a concept that was difficult for a people focused on physical and nationalistic deliverance to grasp. Their cultural lens, shaped by a desire for tangible signs and an earthly kingdom, prevented them from perceiving the spiritual reality of Jesus' identity and mission.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in John's Gospel. It underscores the **nature of unbelief**, revealing that even direct exposure to divine truth and miraculous evidence does not guarantee faith; true faith is a spiritual work. It highlights **spiritual blindness**, where individuals "see" with their eyes but fail to "perceive" with their hearts, echoing themes found in [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Spiritual Blindness Prophesied") and [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Parables and Understanding"). The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty in salvation**, as Jesus later states, "[No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - The Father's Drawing Power")"—a counterpoint to human resistance. Ultimately, [John 6:36](/john/6-36 "John 6:36 - The Challenge of Unbelief") emphasizes the **necessity of faith** as the sole means of receiving eternal life, contrasting it sharply with mere observation or intellectual assent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _allá'_):** This conjunction introduces a strong contrast or opposition. Here, it marks a sharp divergence between Jesus' clear declaration and the audience's persistent unbelief. Despite all He has said and done, their response is contrary to what might be expected.
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** This verb signifies more than a casual glance; it implies a focused observation, a "gazing upon," or a clear discernment, whether physical or mental. The people had indeed physically observed Jesus, His miracles, and His very presence, yet this observation did not lead to saving faith.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** Derived from `pístis` (faith), this word means to have faith in, to credit, or to entrust oneself to a person or thing. In this context, it refers to a deep, personal trust and reliance on Jesus for spiritual well-being. The present tense indicates an ongoing state of refusal to believe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I said unto you":** This introductory clause emphasizes Jesus' prior communication and clear teaching. He had already presented Himself as the "Bread of Life" and explained the spiritual nature of His mission. The "but" (Greek: `allá`) signals a strong contrast between His clear revelation and their subsequent response. It implies a sense of disappointment or lament over their spiritual dullness despite His explicit words.
* **"That ye also have seen me":** Jesus here acknowledges the undeniable fact of their physical proximity and observation. They had not only heard His words but had also witnessed His person, His miracles (like the feeding of the five thousand), and His very presence among them. The verb "seen" (`horáō`) suggests a prolonged or attentive observation, not just a fleeting glance. This clause highlights that the issue is not a lack of evidence or exposure, but a failure to interpret that evidence spiritually.
* **"and believe not":** This is the core of Jesus' lament and accusation. Despite having seen Him and heard His teachings, they remained in a state of active unbelief. The Greek verb `pisteúō` (believe) in the present tense indicates a continuous, ongoing refusal to place their trust in Him. This spiritual failure is not merely a passive state but an active rejection of His divine claims, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and resistance of heart.

#### Literary Devices
John 6:36 employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is central, as those who have physically seen Jesus, the very embodiment of truth, fail to grasp His spiritual identity. They have eyes to see but do not truly perceive. There is a strong **Contrast** established between physical sight ("seen me") and spiritual apprehension ("believe not"), highlighting the inadequacy of mere external observation for salvation. The verse also functions as a **Lament** from Jesus, expressing sorrow over the spiritual condition of those He came to save. Furthermore, it exemplifies the theme of **Spiritual Blindness**, a recurring motif in John's Gospel, where individuals are unable or unwilling to comprehend divine truth despite its clear revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:36 profoundly underscores the nature of genuine faith, distinguishing it from mere intellectual assent or physical observation. It reveals that the greatest obstacle to salvation is often not a lack of evidence, but a hardened heart and an unwillingness to submit to God's truth. This verse highlights the human propensity for unbelief even in the face of overwhelming divine revelation, emphasizing that true faith is a gift and a spiritual act, not merely a logical conclusion drawn from empirical data. It sets the stage for the Gospel's broader theological message that salvation is by grace through faith, a work of God in the human heart that transcends mere human effort or observation.

* [John 12:37-40](/john/12-37-40 "John 12:37-40 - Unbelief Despite Miracles")
* [Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13-15 "Matthew 13:13-15 - Parables and Spiritual Blindness")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Nature of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 6:36 serves as a timeless mirror for our own hearts, challenging us to move beyond superficial engagement with spiritual truths to a deep, transformative faith. In an age saturated with information, it's easy to "see" and "hear" about Jesus through various media, yet never truly "believe" in a way that impacts our lives. This verse calls us to examine whether our understanding of Christ is merely intellectual or if it has permeated the core of our being, leading to genuine trust and surrender. It reminds us that true discipleship is not about witnessing miracles or accumulating knowledge, but about a personal, active, and ongoing commitment to Jesus as the source of eternal life. We are invited to confront any lingering unbelief within ourselves, acknowledging that the greatest evidence for Christ lies not just in what we observe, but in the spiritual conviction He imparts to those who truly seek Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "seeing" Jesus (e.g., through church attendance, reading the Bible) but failing to truly "believe" in a transformative way?**
* **What specific areas of my life reveal a lack of trust or a lingering unbelief in Christ's sovereignty or promises?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more active faith that moves beyond mere intellectual assent to genuine spiritual reliance on Jesus?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus say "But I said unto you"? Had He literally said this before?**

Answer: The phrase "But I said unto you" (KJV) or "But I told you" (ESV, NIV) refers back to Jesus' earlier statements in the same discourse, particularly [John 6:26](/john/6-26 "John 6:26 - Seeking Jesus for Food") and [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). In [John 6:26](/john/6-26 "John 6:26 - Seeking Jesus for Food"), Jesus directly confronted their superficial motives: "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." He had also just declared, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")." So, Jesus had indeed "said" or "told" them clearly that their focus was misplaced and that true life came through believing in Him, not through physical sustenance. His statement in [John 6:36](/john/6-36 "John 6:36 - The Challenge of Unbelief") is a direct response to their continued spiritual blindness despite His explicit teaching and miraculous evidence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 6:36, though a lament of unbelief, ultimately points to the profound necessity and nature of Christ-centered faith. The very fact that people "saw" Jesus yet did not believe underscores that He is more than a mere historical figure or miracle worker; He is the divine Son of God who demands a spiritual response. Their failure to believe in Him, despite His visible presence and powerful works, highlights the truth that salvation is not achieved by human sight or effort, but by the Father drawing individuals to His Son ([John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - The Father's Drawing Power")). Jesus' lament anticipates His ultimate purpose: to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing a means for humanity to move from spiritual blindness to saving sight. His words in [John 6:36](/john/6-36 "John 6:36 - The Challenge of Unbelief") set the stage for the revelation of the Holy Spirit's work in convicting the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Work of the Holy Spirit")), enabling true belief. Thus, this verse implicitly magnifies Christ as the unique object of faith, without whom eternal life is impossible ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")), and whose very presence demands a decision of faith that transcends mere physical observation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.

John 12:37

¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

John 6:26

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

John 6:30

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

John 6:64

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.