John 6:62
New International Version
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!

New Living Translation
Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?

English Standard Version
Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

Berean Standard Bible
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

Berean Literal Bible
Then what if you should see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

King James Bible
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

New King James Version
What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?

New American Standard Bible
What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

NASB 1995
“What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

NASB 1977
“What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before?

Legacy Standard Bible
What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

Amplified Bible
What then [will you think] if you see the Son of Man ascending to [the realm] where He was before?

Christian Standard Bible
Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

American Standard Version
What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?

Contemporary English Version
What if you should see the Son of Man go up to heaven where he came from?

English Revised Version
What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What if you see the Son of Man go where he was before?

Good News Translation
Suppose, then, that you should see the Son of Man go back up to the place where he was before?

International Standard Version
What if you saw the Son of Man going up to the place where he was before?

Majority Standard Bible
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

NET Bible
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending where he was before?

New Heart English Bible
Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

Webster's Bible Translation
What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

Weymouth New Testament
"Does this seem incredible to you? What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascending again where He was before?

World English Bible
Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If then you may behold the Son of Man going up where He was before?

Berean Literal Bible
Then what if you should see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

Young's Literal Translation
if then ye may behold the Son of Man going up where he was before?

Smith's Literal Translation
If then ye see the Son of man going up where he was before.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending to where he was before?

New American Bible
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

New Revised Standard Version
Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What then if you should see the Son of man ascending to the place where he was before?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Truly you will see therefore The Son of Man ascending to the place where he was from the first.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then, what if you should see the Son of man go up where he was before?

Godbey New Testament
If then you may see the Son of man ascending up, where He was formerly?

Haweis New Testament
What then if ye see the Son of man ascending where he was formerly?

Mace New Testament
what if you should see the son of man ascend up where he was before?

Weymouth New Testament
"Does this seem incredible to you? What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascending again where He was before?

Worrell New Testament
What, then, if ye behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before?

Worsley New Testament
What then, if ye should see the Son of man ascending up, where He was before?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Many Disciples Turn Back
61Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.…

Cross References
Acts 1:9-11
After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Ephesians 4:8-10
This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” / What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 16:19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Luke 24:50-51
When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. / While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.

Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

Isaiah 52:13
Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”


Treasury of Scripture

What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 16:28
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 17:4,5,11
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do…

Jump to Previous
Ascend Ascending Incredible Seem
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Ascend Ascending Incredible Seem
John 6
1. Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes.
15. Thereupon the people would have made him king;
16. but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples;
26. reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word;
32. declares himself to be the bread of life to believers.
66. Many disciples depart from him.
68. Peter confesses him.
70. Judas is a devil.














Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?
Then what if
This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, inviting the audience to consider a future event. In the Greek, "ἐὰν οὖν" (ean oun) suggests a conditional statement, often used to provoke thought or challenge assumptions. Jesus is addressing the doubts and misunderstandings of His listeners, encouraging them to expand their understanding of His divine nature and mission.

you see
The Greek word "θεωρεῖτε" (theōreite) implies more than just physical sight; it suggests perceiving or understanding. Jesus is asking His followers to consider not just witnessing an event, but comprehending its significance. This challenges the audience to move beyond superficial observation to deeper spiritual insight.

the Son of Man
This title, "ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου" (ho huios tou anthrōpou), is a messianic term rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, where it describes a divine figure given authority and glory. Jesus frequently uses this title to emphasize both His humanity and His divine authority. It serves as a bridge between His earthly ministry and His heavenly origin.

ascend
The Greek word "ἀναβαίνοντα" (anabainonta) means to go up or rise. This term is significant in the context of Jesus' eventual ascension into heaven, as recorded in Acts 1:9-11. It underscores His divine origin and destiny, affirming His pre-existence and return to the Father. The ascension is a pivotal event that confirms Jesus' identity and mission.

to where He was before
This phrase emphasizes Jesus' pre-existence and His divine nature. The Greek "ὅπου ἦν τὸ πρότερον" (hopou ēn to proteron) indicates a return to a previous state or place. It highlights the eternal nature of Christ, who existed with the Father before His incarnation. This assertion challenges the audience to recognize Jesus not just as a prophet or teacher, but as the eternal Son of God.

(62) What and if ye shall see . . .?--Our version adds the word "what," as will be seen from the italics, but it rightly expresses the sense. Literally, we should read, If then ye should behold the Son of Man ascending up where He was before? The Ascension would be the proof of the coming down from heaven (John 6:58), which is part of the teaching they cannot now accept. The margin refers to the more formal statement of this in John 3:13. The reader should also compare John 20:17, where the Ascension is again assumed, and Ephesians 4:9-10. Comments on these incidental references by St. John to an event he does not record have been made too frequently without noting that, in each case, the speaker is Jesus, to whose thoughts this end of subjection to earthly laws, in subjecting them to Himself, was ever present. St. John, in his own narrative, nowhere mentions the fact of the Ascension, nor does he in any way refer to it. That he could write these words without doing so is an assurance of his own knowledge of the glorious sequel of the Resurrection, and of its unquestioned acceptance in the Church.

Verse 62. - If it does put difficulties in your way, then how will it be if you behold the Son of man ascending up to where he was before? This unfinished and ambiguous sentence and query have been variously interpreted. Some have argued that our Lord here simply refers to the "resurrection;" that he told his hearers they would have an opportunity of observing that, after death, he would return to where he was before, that is, to the conditions of earthly life. The striking antithesis between "descending from" and "ascending" almost compels the repudiation of this view. Did Christ, however, mean to ask them whether, under the new condition of things, all ground of offence would not be taken away? or to imply that their faith would have to be put to a still greater strain, and that they would stumble at length irretrievably? Lucke, De Wette, Kuinoel, Meyer, chiefly urge the latter, and on the ground:

(1) That in John's Gospel the death of Christ is always looked at as his real glorification, and that therefore by ἀναβαίνειν, he was referring in his euphemistic fashion to his death in the true Johannine phrase as a going to God (cf. John 13:3, a return to the Father; 14; 16:5, 28).

(2) That John does not describe the Ascension as a physical fact. Meyer does not allow that John 3:13 and John 20:17 are sufficient with this phrase to justify such a reference to the great event referred to by Mark, Luke, and Paul, and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Against Meyer and those who agree with him it should be noticed that ἀναβαίνειν is never used for "death" of Christ. The phrases, ὑπάγειν τῷ Πάτρι, and ἔλθειν, etc., are used for this purpose. Moreover, when a phrase was wanted to denote the twofold idea of uplifting on the cross and ascension to the skies, ὑψωθήναι, is the word twice used in the Fourth Gospel (John 3:14; John 12:32-34). Moreover, if death could be realized as such a θεωρεῖν of glory and fulness of life, the offence of the cross, and scandal of participation in and dependence upon the flesh and blood of Christ, would be reduced and not augmented. To Meyer's objection that these Galilaean disciples would not see the ascending Christ, and therefore the supposition would be tantalizing, it is sufficient to reply

(1) that, in a similar sense, there was no reason to suppose they would see the Lord suffer and die upon the cross; . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

what [ will happen ] if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

you see
θεωρῆτε (theōrēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2334: From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son
Υἱὸν (Huion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Man
ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

ascend
ἀναβαίνοντα (anabainonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

to where
ὅπου (hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

He was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

before?
πρότερον (proteron)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4386: Formerly, before. Neuter of proteros as adverb; previously.


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NT Gospels: John 6:62 Then what if you would see (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 6:61
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