Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is pointing out that their current offense at his words is minor compared to the glory they will witness, a glory that will prove his divine origin and make their literal interpretations impossible. The broken sentence hints at an even greater stumbling block they might face if they can't accept his heavenly identity.
Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a difficult teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turn away because his words are too hard to accept. Jesus then directly addresses their offense, asking how they would react if they witnessed him ascending back to his heavenly origin. This question points to the ultimate proof of his divine nature and origin, which they are currently unable or unwilling to grasp.
Have you ever said something you thought was clear, only to be met with confusion or even anger? Jesus faced this head-on.
When Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Capernaum about 'eating his flesh and drinking his blood,' many found his words harsh and difficult (John 6:60-61). They were focused on his humble human appearance, not the divine authority behind his words.
Jesus didn't back down when his words were rejected. Instead, he pointed to an even greater reality that would prove everything.
Jesus' question, 'What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?' (John 6:62), wasn't just a hypothetical. It was a powerful reminder of his divine origin and future glory.
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Understand the original words
huion tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus for Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14. It emphasizes His humanity while simultaneously affirming His divine authority, heavenly origin, and future role as the eschatological Judge and King.
Jesus' question about the Ascension serves as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the incredulity of his audience. It points to a future, undeniable event that would confirm his heavenly origin and divine authority, underscoring the spiritual blindness of those who stumbled at his words.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducted a significant portion of his public ministry in and around the Sea of Galilee, attracting large crowds with his teachings and miracles.
Mid 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in the Capernaum Synagogue
Jesus delivered a discourse on the Bread of Life in the synagogue at Capernaum, challenging the crowd with profound truths about his identity and the nature of spiritual sustenance.
Mid 1st century AD
Disciples Depart After Difficult Teaching
Following Jesus' challenging words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turned back and no longer followed him, finding his teaching too difficult.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified and then resurrected from the dead, demonstrating his divine power over death and fulfilling prophecies.
c. AD 33
The Ascension of Jesus
After his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples, returning to the Father's glory.
c. AD 60-70
The Gospel of John is Written
The Gospel of John, containing this verse, was written, reflecting on Jesus' life, teachings, and significance for believers.
This passage directly states that no one has ascended to heaven except the Son of Man who came from heaven, reinforcing the concept of Jesus' pre-existence and heavenly origin that's questioned in John 6:62.
Acts 1:9-11This passage describes the actual event of Jesus' ascension into heaven, providing the fulfillment of the event Jesus alludes to in John 6:62 and confirming His divine status.
Romans 1:4This verse speaks of Jesus being declared the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead, which is intimately linked to His ascension and the divine authority Jesus is asserting in John 6:62.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage describes God exalting Jesus to the highest place and giving Him a name above all names, reflecting the glory and divine status Jesus refers to by ascending to where He was before.
1 Peter 3:22This verse states that Jesus has gone to heaven and is at God's right hand with angels, authorities, and powers in subjection to Him, echoing the divine authority Jesus implies when He speaks of His ascension in John 6:62.
calvinJohn 6:59-64: "These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."
- He spoke these things in the synagogue. John points out the place, that we may know that there were many present, and likewise, that a sermon was delivered as on a weighty and important subject. But it immediately follows that out of so great a multitude there were scarcely to be found a very few who profited by it; and -- what is worse -- it proved to be the occasion of desertion to many who professed to be d…
cambridgeJohn 6:62: "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?"
62 . What and if , &c.] Literally, If therefore ye should behold the Son of man ascending where He was before? The sentence breaks off ( aposiopesis ) leaving something to be understood: but what is to be understood? The answer to this depends on the meaning assigned to ‘behold the Son of man ascending.’ The most literal and obvious interpretation is of an actual beholding of the Ascension: and in that case we s…
Jesus is pointing out that their current offense at his words is minor compared to the glory they will witness, a glory that will prove his divine origin and make their literal interpretations impossible. The broken sentence hints at an even greater stumbling block they might face if they can't accept his heavenly identity.
Following a difficult teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turn away because his words are too hard to accept. Jesus then directly addresses their offense, asking how they would react if they witnessed him ascending back to his heavenly origin. This question points to the ultimate proof of his divine nature and origin, which they are currently unable or unwilling to grasp.
Following a difficult teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turn away because his words are too hard to accept. Jesus then directly addresses their offense, asking how they would react if they witnessed him ascending back to his heavenly origin. This question points to the ultimate proof of his divine nature and origin, which they are currently unable or unwilling to grasp.
"Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?" — Jesus is pointing out that their current offense at his words is minor compared to the glory they will witness, a glory that will prove his divine origin and make their literal interpretations impo…
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Last reviewed October 2026