John Calvin Commentary John 6:44

"No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day." — John 6:44 (ASV)

No man can come to me, unless the Father, who hath sent me, draw him. He does not merely accuse them of wickedness, but also reminds them that it is a special gift of God to embrace the doctrine which is presented by him; he does this so that their unbelief may not disturb weak minds.

For many are so foolish that, in matters concerning God, they depend on the opinions of men; as a result, they become suspicious of the Gospel as soon as they see that it is not received by the world. Unbelievers, on the other hand, flattering themselves in their stubbornness, have the audacity to condemn the Gospel because it does not please them.

Therefore, on the contrary, Christ declares that the doctrine of the Gospel, although it is preached to all without exception, cannot be embraced by all, but that a new understanding and a new perception are necessary; and, therefore, that faith does not depend on human will, but that it is God who gives it.

Unless the Father draw him. Since coming to Christ is used here metaphorically for believing, the Evangelist, to carry out the metaphor in the corresponding clause, says that those individuals are drawn whose understandings God enlightens, and whose hearts He bends and forms to the obedience of Christ.

The statement amounts to this: we should not wonder if many refuse to embrace the Gospel, because no one will ever be able to come to Christ on his own, but God must first approach him by His Spirit; and thus it follows that not all are drawn, but that God bestows this grace on those whom He has elected.

Indeed, regarding the nature of this drawing, it is not violent, so as to compel people by external force; but it is still a powerful impulse of the Holy Spirit, which makes people willing who were formerly unwilling and reluctant. It is a false and profane assertion, therefore, that none are drawn except those who are willing to be drawn, as if a person made himself obedient to God by his own efforts; for the willingness with which people follow God is what they already have from Him, who has formed their hearts to obey Him.