John 6:36

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

John 6:36 is a poignant statement from Jesus, revealing the disconnect between physical observation and spiritual belief among those who followed Him. It serves as a commentary on the human heart's resistance to divine truth, even when confronted with undeniable evidence.

Context of John 6:36

This verse is found within Jesus' profound "Bread of Life" discourse in John chapter 6. Following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, many sought Jesus for more physical sustenance. However, Jesus redirected their focus from perishable food to Himself, declaring that He is the "Bread of Life" who offers eternal sustenance. Despite having witnessed His power and heard His teachings, many in the crowd murmured and questioned His claims, failing to grasp His spiritual significance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of Unbelief: The core message is the stark reality of unbelief in the face of clear evidence. Jesus points out that despite having "seen" Him—witnessed His miracles, heard His teachings, and observed His very presence—many still refused to "believe" in His divine identity and mission. Their physical proximity and observation did not translate into spiritual faith.
  • Spiritual Blindness: This verse highlights a form of spiritual blindness, where individuals are unable or unwilling to perceive spiritual truth even when it is plainly revealed. They saw Jesus with their eyes but failed to see Him with their hearts.
  • The Necessity of Faith: Jesus' lament underscores that salvation is not merely about witnessing signs or hearing words, but about an act of faith and trust in Him. Mere observation is insufficient without a corresponding spiritual reception.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "seen" in this context is theoreo (θεωρέω), which implies more than a casual glance. It suggests a focused observation, a "gazing upon" or contemplating. Yet, this careful physical observation did not lead to saving faith. The phrase "believe not" (οὐ πιστεύετε - ou pisteuete) indicates a present and ongoing state of unbelief, a willful refusal to trust in Jesus despite the evidence of His person and works.

Related Scriptures

This challenge of seeing without believing is a recurring theme in the Gospels. Jesus often spoke in parables so that those with hardened hearts would not understand (Matthew 13:13). The Gospel of John also emphasizes how many, even after witnessing numerous signs, still did not believe in Him (John 12:37-40), fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of spiritual blindness. This contrasts sharply with the biblical definition of faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Practical Application

For believers today, John 6:36 serves as a powerful reminder that true faith goes beyond mere intellectual assent or the witnessing of external phenomena. It requires a heart transformation and a willingness to accept Jesus as the true source of spiritual life. In a world full of information and distractions, it's crucial to move beyond superficial observation to a deep, personal trust in Christ. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly believing in Jesus, or are we merely observing Him from a distance?

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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