What does “whoever comes to me I will never cast out” mean (John 6:37)?

Answer  
  

John 6:37 is a comforting verse for Christians. It reads, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (ESV). The verse hints at the mystery of how divine sovereignty relates to human responsibility. Unfortunately, debates over that mystery can distract us from embracing Jesus’ assurance. What a wonderful promise, that whoever comes to Jesus will never be cast out!  
  

The word *whoever* holds the invitation open to everyone, regardless of class, ethnic group, gender, or any other qualification. Even the worst offender who comes to Christ will receive forgiveness of sins and a multitude of spiritual blessings. Jesus will not turn anyone away on account of his or her past actions or any other criteria. Such inclusivity is contrasted with the exclusivity of a preceding verse, where Jesus calls Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35\). Both aspects of Jesus’ invitation are offensive in our culture. On one hand, pluralism bristles at the idea of Jesus being the only way, the only bread. On the other hand, our natural tendency is to consider ourselves to be deserving of heaven. The gospel’s invitation to even notorious sinners offends the sensibilities of those who consider themselves to be the good guys. Why should the “deserving” share space with the “undeserving”?  
  

In Capernaum, “when the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw \[Jesus] eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” (Mark 2:16\). The Pharisees did not understand Jesus’ commitment that “whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” Their offence betrayed a heart full of pride and self\-righteousness. The Lord came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10\), not to send repentant sinners away.  
  

Who comes to Jesus? “All those the Father gives.” When we come to Christ, we may not recognize that the Father has called us or that we are His gift to the Son. But God is sovereign. We may not fully understand, but Jesus’ words give us [security](eternal-security.html): He will never drive us away.  
  

No one who trusts in Jesus will be cast out or driven away. To be cast out is to be rejected. Jesus will not shut the door on anyone who genuinely approaches Him in repentant faith. As the Hebrews writer affirms, God “rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6\). Jesus further implores all who are weary to seek rest in Him (Matthew 11:28–30\).  
  

John 6:37 attests to our eternal security by revealing Jesus’ willingness to receive anyone who believes in Him. God the Father gave the gift, and Jesus would never cast it away. As Jesus says in the next verse, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38\). God’s will was that Jesus save all those given to Him and lose none of them (see John 6:39\). We can be confident that, regardless of a person’s past, whoever comes to Jesus will never be cast out.  
  

