Greek (NA28): ἔστιν γεγραμμένον ἐν τοῖς προφήταις· καὶ ἔσονται
πάντες διδακτοὶ θεοῦ·
πᾶς ὁ ἀκούσας παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μαθὼν ἔρχεται πρὸς ἐμέ.
Jesus declares that "it is written in the prophets"; what exactly is written in the prophets and where is it written?
The verse he quotes is Isaian, Isaiah 54:13, where the prophet foretells that "they" all will be taught by God (Jehovah). Moreover, everyone who hears and obeys divine teaching from Jesus' Father comes to the Lord Jesus Christ. According to the Isaian text in Hebrew, all of "your sons" will be those taught by YHWH (Jehovah).
However, one point I want to expand on, is the text that serves as a backdrop for Jesus' utterance. To whom were these words originally addressed? What textual issues should we notice about Isaiah 54:13, and is there an expanded application for the prophetic text?
1) As we look back to Isaiah 54:1, it informs us that a woman hitherto barren will become more fruitful than a married woman with presumed fertility. Who is this barren woman? Isaiah 54:5-6 (RSV) reveals that the woman is figurative, standing for the ancient nation of Israel:
For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
For the Lord has called you
like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
In conjunction with this promise, Jehovah affirms that his everlasting love and "covenant of peace" will perpetually abide with the nation that is like a wife to him. Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses see an extended application to this prophecy in view of John 6:45 and Galatians 4:24-31. One thing we know for sure is that Paul applies Isaiah 54:1ff to "Jerusalem above," whom he calls "our mother." Isaiah 54:11-12 likewise compares the barren wife to a fortified city bestrewn with diverse gems just as we see in the case of New Jerusalem, which is not to say that I'm identifying Jerusalem above with New Jerusalem. Yet there are similarities in the descriptions of each metaphorical city.
2) What textual issues should we notice about Isaiah 54:13?
JPS, 1985 Tanakh:
LXX:
καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς θεοῦ καὶ ἐν πολλῇ εἰρήνῃ τὰ τέκνα σου
DSS:
"All your children will be taught by Yahweh, and your children's peace will be great."
3) What extended application can be made for John 6:45? Jesus manifestly applied the text to his early followers, who in large part were Jewish although he knew that many would listen to divine teaching and then follow him. Paul's words in Galatians 4:24-31 indicate that the children of Jerusalem above would continue to multiply. No longer would the figurative woman be barren but she would become more fruitful than her fertile counterpart. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God is still drawing people to his Son today via divine teaching that occurs through his Word and spirit.
In conclusion, I will quote Francis J. Moloney (The Gospel of John, page 218, Sacra Pagina Series), who makes interesting points about John 6:45:
The prophets had foretold that “they shall all be taught by God” (v. 45a, freely citing Isa 54:13). Thus Jesus asks that “the Jews” listen to God that they might be instructed. God taught Israel through the gift of the Law, but Jesus claims that all who have truly learned from God will come to him (v. 45). The instruction God gives to all peoples (v. 45a: pantes) draws them to Jesus (v. 45b: pas . . . erchetai pros eme). Continuing the theme of universality of vv. 35-40, Jesus now claims that in fulfillment of the prophetic promise (v. 45a) a process is in motion that leads to the true believer’s coming to Jesus. No longer is Israel the object and the Law the source of God’s instruction. It is aimed at all believers without limitation of race or nation, and it comes through Jesus.
