It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is Jesus linking Old Testament prophecy directly to personal, active learning. He’s not just quoting a promise that God will teach everyone; he emphasizes that those who actually hear and learn from the Father are the ones who inevitably come to Him.
It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to the grumbling of the Jewish crowds who are questioning his claim to have come down from heaven. He asserts that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them, and that all who are taught by God will come to him.
Jesus says no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them. But what does this 'drawing' look like? Is it a forceful push or a gentle invitation?
The verse reveals that coming to Jesus isn't something we can conjure up on our own. Jesus explicitly states in verse 44, 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.' This 'drawing' isn't a forceful compulsion. Think of it as God extending an irresistible invitation.
The Father's Initiative
Calvin highlights that this drawing involves God enlightening our minds and bending our hearts. It's the Holy Spirit's powerful yet willing impulse, making us ready to follow Christ. It’s not that we decide to be willing; God’s grace makes us willing.
The Role of Scripture and Experience
Clarke points out that God draws us by His love, showing us what He has done for us through Christ. This is powerfully echoed in our key verse, where Jesus quotes the prophet, 'And they will all be taught by God.' This divine teaching isn't just about hearing words; it's an internal illumination. As Vincent notes, the Greek word for 'taught by God' can be combined into a single adjective, suggesting a profound, ingrained understanding.
Jesus quotes a promise from the prophets: 'And they will all be taught by God.' Who is included in this 'all,' and what does it mean for them to learn and come?
The verse presents a beautiful connection: those who are taught by God invariably come to Jesus. Jesus says, 'Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.'
A Universal Promise, Specific Application
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Calvin clarifies that the 'all' in the prophetic promise refers specifically to the elect – those God has chosen. It's not that every single person on earth will be taught and come to Christ, but that all whom God intends to save will be taught and will come.
The Inseparable Link
Bengel emphasizes that 'hearing and learning' are the active responses to God's teaching. This isn't a passive reception. When someone truly learns from the Father, they are equipped to recognize and follow the Son. As Vincent notes, the phrase 'taught by God' implies a deep, inherent knowledge. Ellicott adds that this teaching is universal in its provision, but requires personal receptivity – one must hear and learn.
Certainty of Faith
Barnes notes that this divine teaching is the means by which men are drawn to God. It overcomes 'voluntary ignorance and unwillingness.' Therefore, if God teaches someone, they will come to Jesus. This isn't a gamble; it's a divine certainty for those He has chosen.
Understand the original words
prophētai · Greek Noun
The authoritative body of Old Testament prophetic writings, viewed by the New Testament authors as the inspired Word of God.
didaktos · Greek Adjective
Referring to the inner, spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit whereby God imparts divine knowledge and understanding of the truth to the believer.
This is the primary Old Testament passage Jesus is quoting from, emphasizing God's direct teaching of His people in the new covenant.
Jeremiah 31:33-34This passage also speaks of God writing His law on their hearts and teaching them directly, mirroring the idea that God's people will be intimately instructed by Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:9The Apostle Paul uses a related term, 'God-taught,' to describe believers, reinforcing the idea that true spiritual understanding comes directly from God, not just human instruction.
John 16:8Jesus explains the role of the Holy Spirit as the one who convicts the world and guides believers into truth, which is the active 'teaching' that enables them to come to Jesus.
Matthew 11:27This verse highlights the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, and the Father's role in revealing the Son, which is foundational to the 'learning from the Father' mentioned in John 6:45.
calvinJohn 6:41-45: "The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven."
- The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which have come down from heaven. 42. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How therefore doth he say, I have come down from heaven? 43. Jesus therefore answered, and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44. No man can come to me, unless the Father, who hat…
bengelJohn 6:45: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
John 6:45 . Γεγραμμένον , written ) He refutes the Jews who abused Scripture , John 6:31 , “Our fathers did eat manna, as it is written .” etc.— καὶ ἔσονται πάντες διδακτοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ ) Isaiah 54:13 , Septuag. καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς Θεοῦ : “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord,” [Engl. Vers.]— πάντες , all ) Henc…
What's striking here is Jesus linking Old Testament prophecy directly to personal, active learning. He’s not just quoting a promise that God will teach everyone; he emphasizes that those who actually hear and learn from the Father are the ones who inevitably come to Him.
Jesus is responding to the grumbling of the Jewish crowds who are questioning his claim to have come down from heaven. He asserts that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them, and that all who are taught by God will come to him.
Jesus is responding to the grumbling of the Jewish crowds who are questioning his claim to have come down from heaven. He asserts that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them, and that all who are taught by God will come to him.
"It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—" — What's striking here is Jesus linking Old Testament prophecy directly to personal, active learning. He’s not just quoting a promise that God will teach everyone; he emphasizes that those who *actua…
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Last reviewed October 2026