It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

JOHN 6:63KJV
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John 6:63 (KJV)

What does John 6:63 mean?

John 6:63 says that it is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no help; the words Jesus speaks are spirit and life themselves. Jesus is explaining that true life comes from the spiritual, not from physical things, and that his teachings are the source of that spiritual life.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers after many found his earlier teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood difficult to accept. He clarifies that he is not talking about physical flesh or literal eating, but about a deeper spiritual reality. Jesus points his listeners to the importance of the spirit and his words, which offer true, lasting life.

The Greek behind John 6:63

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, "spirit"): This word often refers to the immaterial, life-giving force. Here, it highlights that spiritual realities, not physical ones, are what truly matter for life.
  • ζωοποιέω (zōopoieō, "quickeneth" or "gives life"): This verb means to make alive or give life. Jesus is saying that only the spirit has the power to bring real life.
  • σάρξ (sarx, "flesh"): This term can mean the physical body or human nature apart from God. Jesus uses it to show that relying on merely human or physical means is useless for gaining true life.
  • ῥήματα (rhēmata, "words"): This word refers to spoken words or sayings. Jesus emphasizes that his teachings themselves are spiritual and life-giving, not just ordinary speech.

Why John 6:63 matters

  • John 6:63 clears up confusion by showing that Jesus is not talking about literal flesh, but about spiritual truths and the life they bring.
  • The verse emphasizes that spiritual understanding is needed to grasp Jesus' message, not just a focus on physical or outward things.
  • This statement connects to the broader theme in John 6, where Jesus contrasts physical needs (like bread) with the deeper spiritual nourishment he offers through his words.

Where else these words appear

“quickeneth” Greek G2227 · used in 11 verses

  • John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

“profiteth” Greek G5623 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
  • Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

“words” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

“life” Greek G2222 · used in 126 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
  • Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.