John 6:47

KJV

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

KJV (with Strong's)

Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, He that believeth {G4100} on {G1519} me {G1691} hath {G2192} everlasting {G166} life {G2222}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, indeed! I tell you, whoever trusts has eternal life:

Berean Standard Bible

Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life.

American Standard Version

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 6:47 stands as a profound declaration from Jesus Christ, delivered within His pivotal "Bread of Life" discourse. This verse succinctly encapsulates the immediate and transformative benefit of genuine faith in Him, asserting that anyone who believes in Jesus possesses everlasting life as a present reality, not merely a future hope. It underscores the divine authority of Jesus' words and the simplicity yet profundity of God's provision for salvation, emphasizing the direct, salvific link between belief in Christ and the reception of eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 6:47 is situated within Jesus' extensive "Bread of Life" discourse, which immediately follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand ([John 6:1-15](/john/6-1-15 "John 6:1-15 - Feeding the Five Thousand")) and His walking on water ([John 6:16-21](/john/6-16-21 "John 6:16-21 - Jesus Walks on Water")). The crowd, having been physically fed, seeks Jesus out, hoping for more miraculous bread. Jesus, however, redirects their focus from perishable food to spiritual sustenance, declaring Himself to be the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Throughout the discourse, He progressively deepens the understanding of this spiritual bread, explaining that it is not something to be earned through works or rituals, but to be received through faith in Him. Verse 47 serves as a climactic summary, unequivocally stating the direct and immediate consequence of such belief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The discourse takes place in Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee, a region deeply steeped in Jewish tradition and anticipation of the Messiah. The Jewish people of Jesus' day were familiar with the concept of manna from heaven, which sustained their ancestors in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna from Heaven")). They expected the Messiah to perform similar miracles, including providing bread. Jesus' claim to be the "Bread of Life" would have resonated with this expectation, yet His spiritual reinterpretation challenged their materialistic understanding. The emphasis on "believing on me" (εἰς ἐμέ - *eis eme*) would have been particularly counter-cultural to a system that often emphasized adherence to the Law and ritualistic practices for righteousness, highlighting a radical shift towards personal faith in a person.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **Sovereignty and Authority of Jesus**, as evidenced by His repeated "Verily, verily, I say unto you," a unique Johannine emphatic declaration of divine truth. It underscores the **Centrality of Faith** as the sole condition for salvation, presenting belief not as mere intellectual assent but as a dynamic, personal trust and reliance upon Jesus for spiritual life. Furthermore, it illuminates the **Nature of Eternal Life** (Greek: *zōē aiōnios*), defining it not merely as endless existence but as a present, qualitative reality—a participation in the divine life that begins at the moment of belief. This theme is further expounded in passages like [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Eternal Security") where Jesus promises that His sheep "shall never perish," and [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Definition of Eternal Life"), where He defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amēn'_):** From Hebrew origin, meaning "firm," "trustworthy." As an adverb, it means "surely" or "truly." In this context, the double "Verily, verily" (Amen, Amen) is a unique Johannine literary device used by Jesus to introduce statements of profound truth and divine authority, emphasizing the absolute certainty and solemnity of what He is about to declare. It acts as a divine oath, demanding the listener's full attention and belief.
* **Believeth (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** To have faith in, upon, or with respect to a person or thing; to credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). This word signifies more than intellectual assent; it denotes a deep, active trust, reliance, and commitment to the object of faith. When combined with the preposition "on" (Greek, *eis*), it implies a movement of the soul *into* Christ, a complete surrender and union with Him as the source of life.
* **Everlasting (Greek, _aiṓnios'_):** From *aiōn* (an age); perpetual, also used of past time, or past and future. It refers to a quality of existence that is not bound by temporal limitations. When applied to "life" (*zōē*), it describes not just unending duration but a quality of life that is divine, characterized by a relationship with God that transcends earthly existence and begins in the present moment of belief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Verily, verily, I say unto you,"**: This opening phrase, a solemn double "Amen," signals the utmost importance and absolute truth of the declaration that follows. It is Jesus' unique way of asserting His divine authority and the certainty of His words, demanding unwavering attention and acceptance from His audience. It underscores that what He is about to say is not mere opinion or human wisdom, but eternal, divine truth.
* **"He that believeth on me"**: This clause identifies the sole condition for receiving the promised life. The Greek preposition *eis* ("on" or "into") coupled with "me" (referring to Jesus) indicates a dynamic, personal, and transformative faith. It's not just believing *about* Jesus (e.g., that He existed or performed miracles), but believing *into* Him—a complete reliance, trust, and commitment to Him as the divine Son of God and the sole provider of salvation. This belief involves a turning away from self-reliance and a turning towards Christ for spiritual sustenance and eternal well-being.
* **"hath everlasting life."**: This climactic declaration reveals the immediate and profound result of such belief. The present tense verb "hath" (Greek: *echō*) is crucial, emphasizing that everlasting life is not merely a future promise or a reward to be received after death, but a present possession and reality for the believer. This "everlasting life" (Greek: *zōē aiōnios*) is not just endless existence, but a qualitative, divine life—a participation in the very life of God, characterized by an intimate, abiding relationship with Him that begins at the moment of faith and continues into eternity.

#### Literary Devices
John 6:47 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Repetition** through the phrase "Verily, verily" (ἀμὴν ἀμήν), which serves as a **Solemn Affirmation** or a divine oath, underscoring the absolute truth and divine authority of Jesus' statement. This emphatic double "Amen" is characteristic of Jesus' teaching in John's Gospel, drawing immediate and serious attention to the declaration. The verse itself is a **Declarative Statement**, presenting a straightforward and unambiguous truth about salvation. Furthermore, the use of the **Present Tense** for "hath" (ἔχει) conveys an immediate and ongoing reality, emphasizing that eternal life is a present possession for the believer, not merely a future hope. This grammatical choice highlights the **Immediacy** of the spiritual transformation that occurs at the moment of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:47 is a cornerstone verse that powerfully articulates the core of Christian soteriology: salvation by grace through faith. It dismantles any notion of earning eternal life through human effort or merit, placing the entire emphasis on the object of faith—Jesus Christ Himself. The declaration that believers *presently* "hath everlasting life" is a profound theological truth, asserting the security and qualitative nature of the new life in Christ. This "everlasting life" is not merely endless duration but a participation in the very life of God, characterized by an intimate relationship with Him that begins the moment one believes. It speaks to the assurance of salvation, offering believers an immediate and abiding peace rooted in God's faithfulness rather than human performance.

* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life"): "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
* [1 John 5:13](/1_john/5-13 "1 John 5:13 - Assurance of Eternal Life"): "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God"): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 6:47 offers immense comfort, clarity, and challenge for believers and seekers alike. For those seeking spiritual truth, it simplifies the path to salvation, emphasizing that eternal life is a free gift, received solely through faith in Jesus, rather than through arduous works, rituals, or self-improvement. It liberates from the burden of performance, inviting a simple, yet profound, trust. For believers, this verse provides a solid foundation for assurance and peace, reminding us that we possess eternal life *now*, as a present reality, not merely a future possibility. This present possession should transform our perspective, enabling us to live with divine purpose and security, even amidst life's uncertainties. It calls us to continually abide in Christ, drawing daily sustenance from Him as the "Bread of Life," and to share this life-giving truth with a world desperately in need of true, lasting hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding "everlasting life" as a present possession, rather than just a future hope, change your daily perspective and priorities?**
* **In what ways does your "belief on me" manifest as active trust and reliance on Jesus in your daily life, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **How can the absolute certainty conveyed by "Verily, verily" strengthen your assurance of salvation and empower your witness to others?**

### FAQ

**What does "everlasting life" truly mean in this context? Is it just living forever?**

Answer: While "everlasting life" (Greek: *zōē aiōnios*) certainly includes the concept of unending duration, its primary meaning in the New Testament, especially in John's Gospel, is about the *quality* of life. It refers to a participation in the very life of God, a divine, spiritual existence characterized by an intimate, abiding relationship with Him. It is a life that transcends the limitations of time and earthly existence, beginning at the moment one believes in Jesus Christ and continuing eternally. As Jesus Himself clarifies in [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Definition of Eternal Life"), "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." So, it's not just about living *forever*, but about living *God's kind of life* forever, in a relationship with Him.

**What kind of "belief" is Jesus referring to in this verse? Is it simply intellectual agreement?**

Answer: The "belief" (Greek: *pisteúō*) Jesus speaks of here is far more than mere intellectual agreement or assent to facts about Him. The Greek construction "believeth on me" (using the preposition *eis* meaning "into") signifies a dynamic, active, and personal trust, reliance, and commitment. It implies a movement of one's entire being *into* Christ, a complete surrender and entrustment of one's spiritual well-being to Him as the divine Son of God and the sole source of salvation. It's a transformative faith that involves turning away from self-reliance and turning towards Jesus for life and sustenance, much like the analogy of eating the "Bread of Life" found throughout [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - The Bread of Life Discourse").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 6:47 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, for He is not merely the dispenser of everlasting life, but its very embodiment and source. As the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), Jesus offers Himself as the spiritual sustenance that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul and grant eternal existence. His declaration, "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life," is a direct promise rooted in His divine identity and His impending atoning work. It is through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection that the pathway to this divine life is opened, for He conquered death and became the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ's Resurrection as Firstfruits")). Therefore, to believe "on me" is to believe on the One who is the Resurrection and the Life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), the One in whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). The everlasting life promised in this verse is nothing less than a present participation in the resurrected life of Christ, a spiritual union with Him that secures an eternal future in the very presence of God ([Colossians 3:1-4](/colossians/3-1-4 "Colossians 3:1-4 - Life Hidden in Christ")).

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

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Colossians 3:3

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.