Jesus does not attempt to resolve the Jews’ doubts about his true origin by means of human argumentation. Rather, he affirms that no one can come to him unless the Father draws that person to him (compare verse 65). Jesus is stating the basic biblical affirmation that salvation is always due to God’s initiative. The words to me are not explicit in the Greek text, but they are implicit, as Good News Translation makes clear. In 12.32 Jesus states that he will draw all men to himself. Draws him resembles the expression “to bring someone near the Law,” which the Rabbis used to describe conversion to Judaism.

However, draws may suggest that God uses violent means to force a person against his will to come to Jesus. A more satisfactory expression, meaning “brings him to me” or “leads him to me,” may be found in some languages.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .