Taught by God and drawn to Jesus
Jesus quotes the promise that Zion's children will be taught by God and applies it to hearing the Father and coming to him.
Historical context
Isaiah addresses afflicted Zion with images of rebuilding, precious foundations, secure peace, and children taught by God. The promise belongs to the restoration of God's people after distress.
Tradition note
Begin with each Old Testament passage in context, then examine the New Testament's wording and argument. Explicit fulfillment citations, apostolic applications, and typological comparisons carry different kinds of evidence; Protestant approaches to particular passages vary.
Avoid overclaiming
The original promise concerns restored Zion and her children. John applies its teaching language to the Father's drawing people to Jesus. It is not a dated prediction of a particular sermon, and the application should not erase the communal restoration setting or imply that the Gospel supplies a timetable for every image in Isaiah 54.
Key points
- New Testament application
- John 6:44–45 (New Testament application) — During the bread discourse, Jesus quotes the prophetic promise of being taught by God and explains that those who hear and learn from the Father come to him. The direct quotation is grouped with the thematic ministry-teaching phase.
Doctrinal connections
- During the bread discourse, Jesus quotes the prophetic promise of being taught by God and explains that those who hear and learn from the Father come to him. The direct quotation is grouped with the thematic ministry-teaching phase.
Scripture
- Isaiah 54:11–14 — Isaiah addresses afflicted Zion with images of rebuilding, precious foundations, secure peace, and children taught by God. The promise belongs to the restoration of God's people after distress.
- John 6:44–45 — During the bread discourse, Jesus quotes the prophetic promise of being taught by God and explains that those who hear and learn from the Father come to him. The direct quotation is grouped with the thematic ministry-teaching phase.