Albert Barnes Commentary John 6:37

"All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." — John 6:37 (ASV)

All. The original word is in the neuter gender, but it is used, undoubtedly, for the masculine, or perhaps refers to his people considered as a mass or body, and means that every individual that the Father had given him should come to him.

The Father giveth me. Here we learn that those who come to Christ, and who will be saved, are given to him by God.

1. God promised him that he should see of the travail of his soul—that is, "the fruit of his wearisome toil" (Lowth), and should be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11).
2. All men are sinners, and none have any claim to mercy, and he may therefore bestow salvation on whom he pleases.
3. All men of themselves are disposed to reject the gospel (John 5:40).
4. God enables those who do believe to do it. He draws them to him by his Word and Spirit; he opens their hearts to understand the Scriptures (Acts 16:14); and he grants to them repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25).
5. All those who become Christians may therefore be said to be given to Jesus as the reward of his sufferings, for his death was the price by which they were redeemed. Paul says (Ephesians 1:4–5) that he hath chosen us in him (that is, in Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Shall come to me. This is an expression denoting that they would believe on him. To come to someone implies our need of help, our confidence that they can aid us, and our readiness to trust them. The sinner comes to Jesus feeling that he is poor, needy, and wretched, and casts himself on his mercy, believing that he alone can save him.

This expression also proves that people are not compelled to believe on Christ. Though those who believe are given to him, and though his Spirit works in them faith and repentance, yet they are made willing in the day of his power (Psalms 110:3). No one is compelled to go to heaven against their will, and no one is compelled to go to hell against their will. The Spirit of God inclines the will of one person, and they come freely as a moral agent. The other person chooses the way to death; and, though God is constantly using means to save them, yet they prefer the path that leads down to woe.

Him that cometh. Everyone who comes—that is, everyone who comes in a proper manner, feeling that they are a lost and ruined sinner. This invitation is wide, and full, and free. It shows the unbounded mercy of God; and it also shows that the reason, and the only reason, why people are not saved, is that they will not come to Christ. Of any sinner it may be said that if they had been willing to come to Christ, they might have come and been saved. As they choose not to come, they cannot blame God because he saves others who are willing, no matter from what cause, and who thus are made partakers of everlasting life.

In no wise. In no manner, or at no time. The original is simply, I will not cast out.

Cast out. Reject, or refuse to save. This expression does not refer to the doctrine of perseverance of the saints, but to the fact that Jesus will not reject or refuse any sinner who comes to him.

1 Timothy 1:15–16; Revelation 22:17