John 6:62

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

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}?

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

John 6:62 is part of a challenging discourse by Jesus, often referred to as the "Bread of Life" discourse, which began in John 6:35. Following His declaration that He is the true bread from heaven and that His flesh must be eaten and His blood drunk to have eternal life (John 6:53), many of His disciples found His words offensive and difficult to accept. They grumbled among themselves (John 6:61). Jesus, knowing their thoughts, responds with this rhetorical question, aiming to reveal a deeper truth about His identity and future.

Key Themes

  • The Future Ascension of Christ: Jesus points forward to His physical ascension into heaven. This event would serve as irrefutable proof of His divine origin and authority, validating His difficult teachings. If they struggled with His words about spiritual sustenance, how much more astounding would it be to witness Him return to His heavenly abode?
  • Jesus' Pre-existence: The phrase "where he was before" is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' divine pre-existence with the Father. He did not begin His existence at birth but descended from heaven, a concept He often reiterated, such as in John 3:13 and John 17:5.
  • Validation of His Claims: Jesus challenges their skepticism by suggesting that His future ascension would confirm all His current, seemingly incomprehensible, statements. It implies that His words, though spiritual and profound, are rooted in a reality far beyond human understanding, a reality His ascension would visibly demonstrate.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou) is Jesus' most frequent self-designation. While it emphasizes His humanity, it also carries profound Messianic and divine connotations, drawing from Daniel's vision of one like a "Son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven, signifying divine authority and judgment. His rhetorical question in this verse connects His earthly ministry with His heavenly origin and ultimate destiny.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 6:62 reminds us that faith often involves accepting truths that transcend our immediate comprehension. Jesus did not shy away from challenging His listeners, inviting them to trust in His identity and future acts, even when His words were difficult. His ascension, a historical fact, validates His claims and assures us of His divine authority and His return. This verse encourages us to look beyond present difficulties or misunderstandings and trust in the greater reality of Christ's sovereignty and His ultimate triumph.

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Cross-References

  • John 3:13 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • John 17:5 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • John 16:28 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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