Everyone whom is a strange expression in Greek. It is actually a neuter singular form, and it is rendered “all that” in a number of translations (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Zürcher Bibel). The use of the neuter singular where a masculine plural would be expected is a stylistic feature of the Gospel of John (see verses 39; 17.2,24; and note also 1 John 5.4). Agreement is not unanimous as to the exact force of this unusual form, though the opinion of the best scholars is that it gives greater collective force to the expression. Even though the neuter “all that” represents more accurately the form of the Greek, it is clearer in English to use a personal form, everyone whom (compare Moffatt “all those”).
In Greek my Father is the absolute form, “the Father.” In such a context it carries the force of my Father or “our Father,” depending on the reference. Here the meaning my Father is obvious.
The first sentence in verse 37 combines two important concepts: (1) the initiative of God in giving certain persons to his Son and (2) the initiative of the individuals in coming to Jesus. In most languages a verb meaning “gives” is probably the most neutral expression which can be employed for the former concept. However, in some instances terms meaning, for example, “assigns to me” or “declares as belonging to me” may be more satisfactory. It may also be necessary to select a more specific expression than will come to me, for example, “will adhere to me” or “will become one of my followers” or “will join himself to me.”
Although the expression everyone whom is a neuter singular form in Greek, anyone who (New English Bible “the man who”; Jerusalem Bible “whoever”) is in Greek a masculine singular form, indicating clearly that the reference is to persons.
Never translates a Greek construction which expresses strong negation. This same construction is used in Mark 14.25.
Turn away translates a very strong expression in Greek, literally “throw out.” The same verb is used in Matthew 8.12; 22.13; 25.30. The Greek verb which is translated by turn away has two different meanings, depending on whether the person who is the object of the verb has or has not already been admitted to the company of the person who is the subject. In the former situation the verb means “refuse to accept” or “say ‘no’ to.” In the latter it means “cause to go out” or “expel.” In this verse it is the former situation: Jesus will not refuse to accept anyone who comes to him, seeking acceptance.
If possible to do so, the translation should maintain the contrast between the present tense gives of this verse and the perfect tense has given of verse 39.
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 .