And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

JOHN 6:40KJV
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John 6:40 (KJV)

What does John 6:40 mean?

John 6:40 says that it is God’s will for everyone who looks to Jesus (the Son) and believes in him to have eternal life, and that Jesus himself will raise that person up on the last day. This verse emphasizes both the promise of everlasting life and the future resurrection for those who trust in Jesus.

In John 6:40, Jesus is speaking to a crowd after feeding the five thousand, explaining what it truly means to follow him. He makes it clear that seeing and believing in him is what leads to eternal life, not just physical food or miracles. Jesus also points to a future moment—“the last day”—when he will personally raise believers from the dead, highlighting his unique role in God’s plan.

The Greek behind John 6:40

  • ὁ θεωρῶν (ho theōrōn, “seeth”): This Greek word means more than just looking; it often carries the sense of perceiving or recognizing. Here, it suggests truly recognizing who Jesus is, not just physically seeing him.
  • πιστεύων (pisteuōn, “believeth”): This word means to trust or have faith in. In this verse, it stresses that faith in Jesus is the key to receiving eternal life.
  • ζωὴν αἰώνιον (zōēn aiōnion, “everlasting life”): This phrase refers to a kind of life that is unending and of a different quality—life that comes from God.
  • ἀναστήσω (anastēsō, “raise up”): This verb means to make someone stand up or rise, and here it points to resurrection from the dead, a physical act that Jesus claims he will do for believers.

Why John 6:40 matters

  • John 6:40 clarifies that eternal life is not earned by works or religious rituals but is given to those who truly see and believe in Jesus.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ authority and unique role, as he promises not only life now but also resurrection in the future, tying belief in him directly to hope beyond death.
  • This statement fits into the larger conversation in John 6, where Jesus contrasts physical needs (like bread) with the deeper spiritual need for faith in him as the source of true life.

Where else these words appear

“last” Greek G2078 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
  • 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

“seeth” Greek G2334 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
  • John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
  • Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

“everlasting” Greek G166 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
  • John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
  • 1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.