What does "draws" mean in John 6:44?

Question

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him". E.S.V.

The verb ἑλκύσῃ (helkysē) [from the root ἑλκω (helkó)] is translated "draws". Does drawing in this verse guarantee a positive result, i.e. that the drawn thing actually moves?

In John 21:6 they intended to helkysai the net but it would not move. Or, suppose a rope is put round the neck of a stubborn mule, and the Jews have just been described [John 6:43] as people who grumble, [complain rather than comply],then here too pulling/drawing may produce no positive effect. The thing drawn does not necessarily move.

At this point we could broaden out to consider under what conditions of grace drawing might produce a positive result. But again, does helkyse imply anything more than a pull or intention which may or may not produce something? Acts 16:19 shows us that heilkysan can be an act of force, but that by itself does not prove that it always is. In common parlance we can feel drawn to do various things [eat something not good for us] which we do not end up doing. How should we see "draws"?

Answer 1

Meaning of the verb ἑλκω (helkó)

BDAG gives three meanings for this verb as follows:

1. to move an object from one area to another in a pulling motion, draw, with the implication that the object being moved is incapable of propelling itself or in the case of a person is unwilling to do so voluntarily. Eg, John 18:10, Acts 21:30, 16:19, etc.
2. to draw a person in the direction of values for inner life, draw, attract. Eg, John 6:44.
3. to appear to be pulled in a certain direction, flow. [This meaning not used in the NT but is part of the spectrum of meaning for the word.]

It is obvious that God does this via the means of His Spirit working on the hearts of mankind such as in 1 Thess 5:19, Eph 4:30, Phil 2:13, Rom 2:44, etc.

Can this drawing be resisted?

There are numerous examples in the NT of people electing to resist the drawing of God, one of which is quoted by the OP in John 21:6. Here are more examples:

• John 12:32 says that when Jesus is lifted up He will draw all people to Himself. Clearly, not everyone is actually attracted to Jesus and so many have resisted the drawing of Jesus.
• Acts 7:51 describes the frustration of Stephen when he states that the Jews were always resisting the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Thess 5:19 says not to quench (ie, resist) the Holy Spirit
• Eph 4:30 says not to grieve (ie, resist) the Holy Spirit
• 1 Tim 6:10 describes some who allow the lure of money to be greater than the drawing of Jesus and His faith.
• 2 Peter 2:21 also describes some who once knew the way of righteousness but have abandoned the faith and thus resist the drawing of Jesus via His Spirit.

Answer 2

"helkysē" by itself does not guarantee any good or bad. When combined with other words and given a context then there is more to work with to try and work out the meaning.

It's like having a human tooth which is a part of a human being, but it is not the human being. You might have clues as to what someone might have eaten, but you can't tell their personality without actually knowing the whole person.

In John 21:6 Those in the boat could not "draw" the net, but in verses 10 and 11 Jesus asks for fish, and it says that Peter "helkysē" the net and it didn't break.

Answer 3

What does “draws” mean in John 6:44?

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him". E.S.V.

Humans have been created with free will, so everyone has the choice when it comes to serving him.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NASB)

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your [a]descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for [b]this is your life and the length of your days, [c]so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them

God gently draws people to himself that have the right heart and mental attitude. He saw a heart that would be receptive to his liberating law, a heart that would submit to his kind influence. He does this by means of his message in the Bible and through his holy spirit.

Acts 13:48 (NASB)

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.

John 6:65 (NASB)

65 And He was saying, “For this reason, I have told you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

Answer 4

John 12:31 says "Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out." The context of John 12:32 when Jesus says he will draw all men to Himself, is referring to judgment. All men are judged based on their belief in Jesus as Savior.