διδακτοί

Summary

διδακτοί ("taught by God") in John 6:45 is Jesus' own definition of what "drawing" means: the Father's teaching. Since "ALL shall be taught of God" but only those who hear AND learn come to Jesus, God's teaching/drawing is universal in scope but resistible. This directly contradicts the Calvinist claim that drawing is irresistible and limited to the elect.

Usage in John 6:45

"It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God (διδακτοὶ θεοῦ).' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me."

Form: διδακτοί — adjective, nominative plural masculine (predicate)

Origin

Jesus quotes Isaiah 54:13 (LXX): "And I will make all your sons taught by God (διδακτοὺς θεοῦ)." This is a prophetic promise of universal divine instruction.

Semantic Range

διδακτός means "taught, instructed" — one who has received teaching. The genitive θεοῦ ("of God") identifies God as the teacher. The adjective describes the state of having been instructed by God.

Theological Significance

1. Universal scope: "ALL shall be taught of God" — the teaching/drawing is not limited to the elect. God teaches everyone.

2. Drawing defined as teaching: Jesus quotes this verse immediately after saying "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him" (v.44). The connection is unmistakable — the Father's "drawing" IS His "teaching." This is Jesus' own interpretation of what "drawing" means.

3. Teaching requires a response: Jesus adds the crucial qualifier: "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me." All are taught, but only those who hear AND learn come to Jesus. The teaching is universal; the learning is the person's response.

4. Two distinct actions: - Heard (ἀκούσας — aorist active participle): God's responsibility — He teaches/speaks - Learned (μαθών — aorist active participle): Man's responsibility — he must receive and understand

The BDAG meaning for μανθάνω (learned) in this verse: "to gain knowledge, to learn to know God, to understand." Learning is the human act of taking in and processing what God has taught.

Implication for Irresistible Grace

If all are "taught of God" but not all come to Jesus, then God's teaching (drawing) is clearly resistible. The teaching is universal and genuine, but the response depends on whether the person "learns" — i.e., takes to heart what God has revealed. This directly contradicts the Calvinist claim that drawing is irresistible and limited to the elect.