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John 6:38

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For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

For {G3754} I came down {G2597} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, not {G3756} to {G2443} do {G4160} mine own {G1699} will {G2307}, but {G235} the will {G2307} of him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}.

For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Commentary

In John 6:38, Jesus delivers a foundational statement about His divine origin and the singular purpose of His earthly ministry. This verse is part of His profound "Bread of Life" discourse, delivered after He miraculously fed the five thousand and walked on water. The crowds were seeking Him, primarily for physical bread, but Jesus pivots the conversation to spiritual sustenance and His true identity as the one sent from God. This declaration is central to understanding His mission and authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Origin and Pre-existence: Jesus explicitly states, "For I came down from heaven." This is a clear declaration of His pre-existence and divine nature, distinguishing Him from all earthly beings. It underscores His inherent authority and unique relationship with God the Father. This theme is echoed throughout John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' identity as the Son of God, truly from above.
  • Perfect Obedience to the Father's Will: The core message of this verse is Jesus' absolute submission to God's purpose. He declares, "not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." This highlights His humility and unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Father's redemptive plan for humanity. His entire life and mission were governed by this divine mandate, culminating in His sacrificial work.
  • The Father's Initiative: The phrase "him that sent me" emphasizes God the Father as the initiator and architect of salvation. Jesus is the willing agent, perfectly executing the Father's desires. This concept assures believers that Jesus' mission is not self-conceived but divinely orchestrated, guaranteeing its effectiveness and ultimate success.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "will" here is thelēma (θέλημα), which denotes not merely a command, but a deep desire, purpose, or intention. Jesus' mission was not just to follow orders, but to perfectly align with the Father's ultimate design for humanity's salvation. The phrase "him that sent me" (ho pempsas me) consistently points to the Father as the authoritative source and initiator of Jesus' earthly ministry, a recurring motif in John's Gospel emphasizing divine commission.

Context and Connections

This verse directly follows Jesus' assertion that all who come to Him will be saved and not cast out (John 6:37). His commitment to the Father's will is intrinsically linked to His mission to gather and preserve those whom the Father gives Him. The idea of Jesus coming "down from heaven" is elaborated upon earlier in this discourse, as He identifies Himself as the true bread which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. His unwavering devotion to "the will of him that sent me" is a consistent theme in His ministry, as seen in other declarations such as John 5:30, where He states, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

Practical Application

For believers, John 6:38 serves as a profound model for discipleship. Just as Christ prioritized the Father's will, so too are we called to seek and obey God's purpose for our lives above our own desires (Matthew 6:10). This verse offers assurance that Jesus' mission to save is entirely aligned with God's perfect plan, providing a firm foundation for faith and trust in His saving work. It encourages a life of humility and submission, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from aligning our will with the divine will.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • John 5:30 (24 votes)

    I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

  • John 4:34 (19 votes)

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • Psalms 40:7 (12 votes)

    Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

  • Psalms 40:8 (12 votes)

    I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

  • Philippians 2:7 (10 votes)

    But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

  • Philippians 2:8 (10 votes)

    And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • John 3:31 (10 votes)

    He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.