John 6 - Fourfold Repetition

Okay, so the title...No, I am not going to posit a bizarre theory about the importance of fourfold repetition.

If I was, I would obviously choose sevenfold repetition.


In the latter half of John 6, Jesus gives an extended discourse moving from His presentation of Himself as the Bread of Life to the necessity for His followers to eat His flesh and drink His blood.  Unsurprisingly, many of His followers left Him soon after.

What is significant is several statements Jesus made in the middle of this discourse. 

"³⁹ This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day." John 6:39.

"⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”" John 6:40.

"⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44.

"⁵⁴ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:54.

 - Emphasis mine in each verse.

Jesus promises to raise up on the last day:

- Those whom the Father has given Him
- Those who see the Son and believe in Him
- Those whom the Father draws
- Those who eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood

The first points to the election of believers.  The second points to the responsibility of men to believe for eternal life.  The third points to the impossibility of salvation outside of the prior work of God.  The fourth points to the necessity of regeneration in Christ as a prerequisite for eternal life.

The final one is, as can be expected the most difficult to understand, but the Greek verb is aorist, referring to a single one-time action as opposed to a continual repetition such as the Mass or Communion.  It seems to refer to a union with Christ, which is what takes place at regeneration. 

Sadly, it was here at the event of Jesus' most complete teachings on the concept of salvation that many of His followers rejected Him.  This seems to have been largely in response to the final teaching, which they did not understand. 

Personally, I find it to be one of the most glorious expositions on the subject of salvation in Scripture and I would encourage you to read the whole section (John 6:22-71).  And as you do it, rejoice in what God has done for you!