John 6:62

KJV

[What] and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

KJV (with Strong's)

What and {G3767} if {G1437} ye shall see {G2334} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} ascend up {G305} where {G3699} he was {G2258} before {G4386}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Suppose you were to see the Son of Man going back up to where he was before?

Berean Standard Bible

Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

American Standard Version

What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 6:62, Jesus challenges His grumbling disciples with a profound rhetorical question, asking what their reaction would be if they were to witness the Son of Man ascending to where He was before. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the "Bread of Life" discourse, aiming to shift their focus from carnal understanding to spiritual truth, while simultaneously affirming His divine pre-existence and foreshadowing His future physical ascension as the ultimate validation of His identity and difficult teachings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") is situated at a critical juncture within Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse, which spans much of [John 6](/john/6 "John Chapter 6 - The Bread of Life"). Beginning with 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 subsequent walking on water ([John 6:16-21](/john/6-16-21 "John 6:16-21 - Jesus Walks on Water")), Jesus transitions into teaching about Himself as the true bread from heaven ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). His declaration that His flesh must be eaten and His blood drunk to have eternal life ([John 6:53-58](/john/6-53-58 "John 6:53-58 - Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood")) proves to be a profound stumbling block for many of His disciples, who openly grumble and question the possibility of such a teaching ([John 6:60-61](/john/6-60-61 "John 6:60-61 - Disciples' Disbelief")). Jesus, knowing their thoughts, responds with this rhetorical question in [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension"), directly addressing their unbelief by pointing to a future, even more astounding, reality: His ascension. This serves to highlight the spiritual nature of His words and the need for divine revelation to comprehend them, ultimately leading to the defection of many followers ([John 6:66](/john/6-66 "John 6:66 - Many Disciples Turn Away")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish audience of Jesus' day was deeply rooted in the Law of Moses and the prophetic traditions, often expecting a political or military Messiah who would deliver them from Roman oppression. The concept of "bread" held significant cultural and religious weight, recalling the manna provided in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness")) and symbolizing sustenance, life, and divine provision. When Jesus declared Himself the "Bread of Life" and spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, it would have been profoundly shocking and offensive to a Jewish audience, who strictly adhered to dietary laws and prohibitions against consuming blood ([Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition Against Eating Blood")). Furthermore, the idea of a Messiah who would ascend to heaven, rather than establish an earthly kingdom, challenged their prevailing eschatological expectations. Jesus' use of the title "Son of Man" also carried specific connotations, drawing from Daniel's vision of a divine, authoritative figure ([Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Vision")), yet in [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension"), He connects this earthly title to a heavenly origin and destiny, further confounding those who sought only earthly benefits.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Jesus' Divine Origin and Pre-existence**. The phrase "where he was before" is a clear affirmation that Jesus did not begin His existence at birth but descended from a heavenly abode, a concept consistently emphasized by John, as seen in the prologue ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")) and other passages ([John 3:13](/john/3-13 "John 3:13 - No One Has Ascended to Heaven"), [John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glory")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual vs. Carnal Understanding**. The disciples' grumbling reveals their inability to grasp the spiritual implications of Jesus' words, clinging instead to a literal, physical interpretation. Jesus' question about His ascension challenges them to consider a reality beyond their immediate sensory experience, emphasizing that true understanding requires spiritual discernment. Thirdly, the verse points to the **Validation of Christ's Claims through Future Events**. The ascension, a future physical event, is presented as the ultimate proof of Jesus' divine authority and the truthfulness of His otherwise incomprehensible teachings. It serves as a prophetic promise that would confirm His identity and mission, compelling faith in those who witness or believe in it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **see (Greek, _theōréō'_):** From G2334, this word implies more than a mere glance; it denotes a deep, discerning observation, to be a spectator of, to perceive, or even to acknowledge. In this context, Jesus is not just asking if they will physically observe His ascent, but whether they will truly comprehend and acknowledge its profound significance as a validation of His divine claims and pre-existence.
* **ascend up (Greek, _anabaínō'_):** From G305, meaning "to go up," "arise," or "ascend." This term directly refers to the physical act of Jesus' bodily rising into heaven. It is a literal movement, but one with immense theological implications, signifying His return to His heavenly Father and His exaltation.
* **was before (Greek, _ēn próteron'_):** Composed of G2258 (_ēn_), the imperfect tense of "to be," and G4386 (_próteron_), meaning "previously" or "before." This phrase powerfully asserts Jesus' pre-existence prior to His incarnation. It signifies that His origin is not earthly, but heavenly and eternal, existing with the Father before His descent to earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"‹[What] and if ye shall see":** This opening phrase, introduced by the particle "oûn" (G3767, "then" or "therefore"), functions as a rhetorical question, challenging the disciples' current skepticism and grumbling. Jesus is essentially saying, "If you are stumbling over these difficult words now, what will you do if you witness something even more astonishing?" It sets up a contrast between their present disbelief concerning spiritual truths and a future, undeniable physical manifestation of His divine nature.
* **"the Son of man ascend up":** This clause points to a future, visible event – the physical ascension of Jesus. The title "Son of Man" is Jesus' most frequent self-designation, emphasizing both His humanity and His unique, divinely appointed role as the Messiah, drawing on the imagery of [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"). His ascension would be the ultimate proof of His divine origin and authority, validating all His claims, including the difficult "Bread of Life" discourse.
* **"where he was before?›":** This concluding phrase is the theological crux of the verse. It unequivocally asserts Jesus' pre-existence in heaven with God the Father. The ascension is not merely a departure but a return to His original, pre-incarnate state of glory. This concept would have been even more challenging for the disciples to grasp than the "eating flesh" teaching, as it directly speaks to His divine nature and eternal relationship with the Father.

#### Literary Devices
John 6:62 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" Jesus does not expect a verbal answer but uses the question to provoke deep thought and expose the superficiality of His listeners' understanding. It forces them to confront the implications of His identity and future. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play; the disciples are struggling with a spiritual truth (eating His flesh), yet Jesus points to a physical event (His ascension) that is arguably even more miraculous and challenging to their worldview, suggesting that their current stumbling is minor compared to what awaits them. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, explicitly predicting Jesus' physical ascension to heaven, an event detailed in [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus"). Finally, Jesus' consistent use of the title **"Son of Man"** throughout His ministry, and specifically here, serves as a significant literary and theological device. It links His earthly, human identity to His divine, heavenly origin and ultimate authority, drawing on Old Testament prophecy and setting the stage for His cosmic role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") is a profound Christological statement, deeply connecting Jesus' earthly ministry to His divine nature and ultimate destiny. It underscores the essential truth of His pre-existence, revealing that He did not originate on earth but descended from heaven, a concept foundational to the Gospel of John's portrayal of Christ as the eternal Word ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). The verse also highlights the necessity of faith that transcends mere physical understanding. While the disciples stumbled over the literal interpretation of eating His flesh, Jesus redirects their gaze to the spiritual reality of His identity, which would be undeniably confirmed by His ascension. This ascension is not merely a departure but an exaltation, a return to the glory He shared with the Father before the world began, validating His authority and His claims to be the unique Son of God. It teaches us that God's revelation often challenges our preconceived notions, requiring a spiritual receptivity that looks beyond the immediate and visible.

* [John 3:13](/john/3-13 "John 3:13 - No One Has Ascended to Heaven")
* [John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glory")
* [Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") serves as a powerful reminder that following Jesus often involves encountering truths that challenge our logical frameworks and comfortable assumptions. Just as the disciples struggled to reconcile Jesus' words with their earthly understanding, we too may find aspects of God's Word or His ways difficult to comprehend or accept. This verse invites us to cultivate a deeper, spiritual faith that is willing to trust in Christ's identity and authority, even when His declarations seem counter-intuitive or demand a radical shift in perspective. His ascension, a historical and theological cornerstone, validates all His claims, assuring us that His words, though profound and sometimes mysterious, are rooted in divine reality. Therefore, our faith is not in a mere human teacher, but in the Son of God who descended from heaven and returned to His rightful place of glory. This should empower us to persevere through spiritual perplexities, knowing that the one who spoke these challenging words is indeed Lord of all, and His ultimate triumph is assured.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "difficult sayings" of Jesus or biblical truths do you currently struggle to fully grasp or accept?**
* **How does the historical reality of Jesus' ascension strengthen your faith in His divine authority and the truthfulness of His words?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to interpret spiritual truths through a purely carnal or humanistic lens, and how can you seek deeper spiritual understanding?**
* **How does Jesus' pre-existence and return to "where he was before" impact your view of His identity and mission?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "Son of Man" in this verse?**

Answer: The title "Son of Man" is Jesus' most frequent self-designation, appearing over 80 times in the Gospels. While it emphasizes His genuine humanity, it also carries profound Messianic and divine connotations. In [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension"), it specifically alludes to the vision in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"), where "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven, receiving everlasting dominion and glory. By using this title, Jesus subtly yet powerfully connects His earthly ministry and future ascension to His divine authority, heavenly origin, and ultimate reign, indicating that He is both truly human and divinely appointed.

**Why is Jesus' ascension important for understanding His claims?**

Answer: Jesus' ascension, as foreshadowed in [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") and recorded in [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus"), is crucial because it serves as the ultimate physical validation of His divine identity and all His claims. If His disciples struggled to believe His words about being the "Bread of Life" who descended from heaven, witnessing Him physically ascend back to heaven would provide irrefutable proof of His heavenly origin and authority. It confirms that He is not merely a prophet or a wise teacher, but truly the Son of God who came from God and returned to God, thus authenticating His entire ministry and teachings.

**What does "where he was before" imply about Jesus' identity?**

Answer: The phrase "where he was before" is a powerful and unequivocal affirmation of Jesus' pre-existence. It implies that Jesus did not begin His existence at His birth in Bethlehem but existed eternally with God the Father in heaven prior to His incarnation. This concept is foundational to Christian theology and is repeatedly emphasized throughout John's Gospel, such as in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "The Word Was God"), which states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") therefore highlights Jesus' divine nature, His co-equality with God, and His voluntary descent from glory to accomplish salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of Jesus' completed redemptive work and His subsequent exaltation. This verse, spoken during a moment of profound disbelief, prophetically points to the Ascension, an event that would irrevocably confirm Jesus' identity as the divine Son who descended from heaven and returned to His rightful place of glory. His ascension, detailed in [Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven"), is not merely a departure but a triumphant return to the Father, where He now sits at the right hand of God ([Mark 16:19](/mark/16-19 "Mark 16:19 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven"), [Ephesians 1:20](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")), interceding for believers ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")) and reigning as Lord over all creation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). The "where he was before" speaks to His eternal pre-existence as the Son of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), emphasizing that His entire earthly ministry, including His difficult teachings and ultimate sacrifice, was carried out by one who was fully God and fully man, sent from the Father. Thus, [John 6:62](/john/6-62 "John 6:62 - Jesus' Question About His Ascension") is a testament to the comprehensive truth of Christ's person and work, validating His claims and assuring believers of His sovereign authority and ultimate return ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Jesus is Coming with the Clouds")).

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 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.

Mark 16:19

¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Luke 24:51

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

John 16:28

¶ I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.