Scriptures Where Jesus Makes Clear He Came to Reconcile Mankind to the Father

October 11, 2025 JMc

While the term “reconcile” is more commonly used in the epistles (e.g., 2 Corinthians 5:18-19), Jesus repeatedly describes his mission as revealing the Father, drawing people to Him, granting access to eternal life through knowledge of the Father, and restoring unity between God and humanity. This is the essence of reconciliation—bridging the gap caused by sin. Below is a list of key passages from the King James Version where Jesus articulates this purpose. I’ve included the full verse(s) for context.

Reference	Verse Text (KJV)
John 3:17	For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 6:37-40	All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 12:32	And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 14:6	Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 17:2-3	As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:20-23	Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Luke 19:10	For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

These passages emphasize Jesus’ role as the mediator and revealer, sent by the Father to save, draw, unite, and grant access to God, effectively reconciling humanity through faith in him.

All Times Jesus Mentions the Father

Jesus refers to God as “Father” (using terms like “my Father,” “your Father,” “the Father,” or “heavenly Father”) over 130 times across the four Gospels, far more than any other New Testament figure. This underscores his intimate revelation of God’s fatherly nature. Listing every full verse would be extensive (spanning pages), so below is a complete enumeration of all references organized by Gospel, with selected full verse texts (KJV) for notable examples. For brevity, most are references only; you can look up the full text in a KJV Bible. The count per Gospel: Matthew (42), Mark (4), Luke (12), John (78).

Matthew

5:16 (Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.)
5:45
5:48
6:1
6:4
6:6
6:8
6:9 (After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven…)
6:14
6:15
6:18
6:26
6:32
7:11
7:21
10:32
10:33
11:25 (I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…)
11:26
11:27
12:50
15:13
16:17
16:27
18:10
18:14
18:19
18:35
19:5 (though quoting Genesis, in teaching)
20:23
23:9
23:30? (wait, 23:9 is key; 23:30 is “upon the prophets”)
Wait, correction: 23:9 (And call no man your father upon the earth…)
24:36
25:34
26:29
26:39 (O my Father, if it be possible…)
26:42
26:53
28:19 (baptizing in the name of the Father…)

Mark

8:38
11:25 (And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.)
13:32
14:36 (Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee…)

Luke

2:49 (How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? — Boy Jesus)
9:26
10:21 (I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…)
10:22
11:2 (When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven…)
11:13
12:30
12:32 (Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.)
22:29
22:42 (Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me…)
23:34 (Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.)
23:46 (Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit…)

John

2:16 (Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.)
4:21
4:23
5:17 (My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.)
5:18
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:23
5:26
5:30 (I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.)
5:36
5:37
5:43
5:45
6:27
6:32
6:37
6:44
6:46
6:65
8:16
8:19 (Ye neither know me, nor my Father…)
8:26
8:28
8:29
8:38
8:41
8:42 (If God were your Father, ye would love me…)
8:49
8:54
10:15
10:17
10:18
10:25
10:29
10:30 (I and [my] Father are one.)
10:36
10:38
11:41 (Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.)
12:26
12:27 (Father, glorify thy name.)
12:28
12:49 (For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.)
12:50
14:2
14:6 (no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
14:7
14:9 (he that hath seen me hath seen the Father)
14:10
14:11
14:12
14:13
14:20
14:21
14:23
14:24
14:28 (my Father is greater than I. — see below)
14:31
15:1 (my Father is the husbandman.)
15:6
15:8
15:9
15:15
15:16
15:23
15:24
16:3
16:10
16:15
16:23
16:25
16:26
16:27
16:28 (I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world…)
16:30
16:32
17:1 (Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son…)
17:4
17:5
17:11
17:16
17:21
17:24
17:25
20:17 (I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.)

These references capture every instance where Jesus directly mentions or addresses the Father in his teachings, prayers, or declarations.

Demonstration That Jesus Called Our Father in Heaven Greater Than He Was

Jesus clearly distinguishes himself from the Father and affirms the Father’s superiority in several passages, emphasizing submission during his incarnate ministry on earth. The most direct statement is in John 14:28 (KJV): “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

Here, Jesus comforts his disciples about his departure, noting their joy should stem from his return to the greater authority of the Father. This highlights a functional hierarchy: while Jesus shares divine essence with the Father (e.g., John 10:30), in his earthly role, he submits to the Father’s will and authority.

Supporting verses include:

John 5:30 (KJV): “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” — Jesus defers entirely to the Father’s will.
John 6:38 (KJV): “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” — His mission prioritizes the Father’s purpose over his own.
John 14:10 (KJV): “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” — The Father’s power works through Jesus.

These demonstrate Jesus’ voluntary subordination to the Father, calling Him “greater” in authority and will, while maintaining oneness in nature.