John 6:62

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

John 6:62 (KJV)

Context

In John 6, Jesus feeds the multitude with five loaves and two fish, and the crowd follows Him. He then teaches that He is the Bread of Life and that people must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. This hard saying causes confusion and grumbling among His disciples. In verse 61, Jesus asks if this teaching makes them stumble. Verse 62 then poses a startling question: what if they were to see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?

Meaning

The title “Son of man” emphasizes both Jesus’ humanity and His divinity. It points to His role as the promised Messiah and also highlights His identification with humanity. The phrase “ascend up where he was before” refers to Jesus’ pre-existence and divine origin. He existed before His incarnation; He was in heaven before, not in His human nature, but as the Word and Son of God. The ascension would prove that He came down from heaven, as He had asserted. It also indicates that when He had completed the work and will of His Father, for which He came down from heaven by the assumption of human nature, He would ascend back there. This ascension was seen by His apostles.

Jesus’ question is designed to move His disciples from a fleshly, literal interpretation of His words to a spiritual understanding of His person and work. The ascension is the ultimate demonstration that He is the Son of God who came from heaven and returns to the Father, confirming the truth of His teaching about Himself as the Bread of Life. It also clarifies that His flesh and blood were not to be eaten in a corporeal sense, which is how some misunderstood His teaching.

Biblical connections

This verse highlights Jesus’ divine origin and His heavenly nature. He is not merely a human teacher or prophet; He is the Son of God who descended from heaven. Jesus’ statement points to His authority, His unique relationship with the Father, and His ultimate purpose on earth. The ascension is the visible proof of His divine identity and the fulfillment of His mission.

Application

John 6:62 encourages believers to exercise faith and accept the revelation of who Jesus truly is. Jesus presents Himself as the divine Son of God who came down from heaven, and accepting this truth requires faith. It also reminds us that our understanding of Jesus and His teachings may not always align with our preconceived notions or cultural expectations. This verse calls us to examine our faith and confront any misconceptions or doubts we may have about Jesus’ divinity. It challenges us to place our trust in Him and embrace the truths revealed in Scripture, even if they stretch our understanding.

Reflection

Jesus’ words challenged the beliefs and expectations of His followers. They struggled to understand how Jesus could come from heaven, and His statement seemed to conflict with their understanding of Him as a human being. This teaching pushed them to reconsider their perception of Jesus and evaluate their faith in Him. As we reflect on this verse, we are invited to deepen our understanding of Jesus’ divine nature and to trust in His heavenly origin and mission.