John 6:38
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
5 of 18
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ποιῶ
do
G4160
ποιῶ
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 18
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
the will
G2307
θέλημα
the will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
10 of 18
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
the will
G2307
θέλημα
the will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
15 of 18
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 5:30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.John 3:31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.John 3:13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.John 6:33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.Hebrews 5:8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;Romans 15:3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Historical Context
This claim to heavenly origin would become increasingly offensive (verse 41). It asserts what the prologue declared (1:1-14)—the Word was with God, was God, and became flesh. Jesus' self-description as 'sent' appears frequently in John, emphasizing His mission consciousness.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' submission to the Father's will teach about proper obedience?
- How does the claim to have 'come down from heaven' establish Jesus' authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.' Jesus' heavenly origin grounds His authority. His mission is pure submission—not self-will but the Father's will. This models the obedience He requires of followers. His 'coming down' asserts pre-existence; His obedience demonstrates perfect Sonship. The incarnation was not Jesus' personal project but the Father's sending.