Woo Who?

Great question,

Someone asked me about who is wooed by the Spirit according to the Bible - some people or everyone?

Here is my response:

I have read many versions of the Bible and don't remember the word woo/wooed in particular, nor could I find it in a search (searches are not always completely reliable). I assume, wooed, might be what some people say is happening when the Bible uses the word "draw" as in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day." and also in John 12:32, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." The Greek word translated draw in this passage is ἑλκύω (hel-koo'-o) and it appears only a few time in scripture. The other uses are translated: Paul was dragged out of the temple in Acts 21:30, the Apostles were dragged into the marketplace in Acts 16:19, Peter drew out his sword in John 18:10, the disciples drew in the nets full of fish in John 21:6/21:11, the rich were dragging poor into courts in James 2:6, I also know it can be used for drawing water from a well. All of these examples have in common, the fact that when one party is drawing, it results in a one to one ratio of response by the thing(s) being drawn. We don’t woo fish into nets, water into buckets or people into court. Rather, we drag what we have secured, to where we want it.

In the John 6:44 context Jesus says "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day." This shows an inabiliy of anyone to come unless drawn by the Father and a one to one ratio between those the father does draw and those who will definitely be raised up on the last day. That would fit calling as described in Rom. 8:28-30 and elsewhere, a calling that results in the definite salvation for all who are called (drawn/dragged). Some have argued that “raise him up” in John 6:44, simply means that all will be raised up in a final judgment, but not all saved. That does not seem to be Jesus' point at all as He is describing the difference between true and false followers throughout the entire chapter. If draw means anything from drawing water, to drawing a net, to dragging away - then the verse makes sense in that all who are truly called/drawn will come and they will surely be raised to eternal life with Jesus. This still sounds like something done against our will, but the scriptures teach a changing of the will when we are "born again"/regenerated by the Spirit, resulting in us freely wanting/choosing Jesus. If I lived in Detroit  and woke up in Hawaii, I would not want to go back no matter how I got there (no offense Detroit lovers)! I would be glad to learn about and enjoy life in a much better place, be thankful for the change and be grateful to the one who brought me there.

The John 12:32 verse at first glimpse seems more problematic, but again context is the key. Jesus has just made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem 12:12-15, the Pharisees are at their wits end 12:19 as they point out that the "world" has gone after Him. Obviously they don't mean every single person, but simply large amounts of people from all walks of life are following Jesus and their efforts to stop Him have failed! Now as the Pharisees are rejecting Jesus, some Greeks show up looking for Him v. 20-23. In Jesus' teaching to this collective group of Jews and Gentiles, He uses the example of wheat falling to the ground, being raised and then bearing much fruit to describe His coming crucifixion, resurrection and the resulting fruit of salvation for believers. As a result of His dying and being lifted up, He will "draw all people to himself". The question remains is the "all people" every single person on earth or all kinds of people Jew/Gentile who will be saved? With the unusual visit of these Greeks and the specific mention of their presence, it seems very likely that He means all kinds of people - Jew/Gentile will be drawn, rather than all people period. Also, considering what we have learned about “draw” from its use in scripture as a whole, the only other way to explain this verse would be that all people are drawn/dragged and actually saved. It would be very unbiblical to think Jesus means all will be saved because He is lifted up. It is also problematic to hold that all people, even those who never hear the gospel, are being drawn to Jesus or drawn equally to those who do hear.

John 10:11-16 quotes Jesus' words regarding the sheep for which He lays down His life. He makes the point that He has sheep inside and outside of the Israelite sheepfold – the Gentiles in view. He says He will have one united flock redeemed by His work, who He describes as those who "hear My voice". This, like the Greeks present in John 12, would be shocking for both Jew and Gentile as they have treated each other with much contempt when it comes to religious differences. In 10:25-30 Jesus is teaching how to identify the true sheep of whichever sheepfold they belong - all His sheep hear/believe/follow and will be given eternal life, while those who don't believe don't do so because they are not His sheep. Jesus does not teach that all are draw to Him in a potentially saving way, but rather those who are given/called/drawn by the Father are drawn in a definite saving way. This is the only way for any to be saved. He is lifted up and will draw all those people who will be saved from every tribe, tongue and nation - Jew/Gentile. The general call is to all who hear the word, but the ears to hear and heart to believe unto salvation must be given first by the Holy Spirit.

One more point on this, the other New Testament letters portray Jesus/cross as an offense, foolishness, something the carnal nature won't believe and something which can't be understood without rebirth. It would hardly seem like this describes a reality where all men are being drawn even if it was only "wooed", which as we have seen is not really a biblical understanding of the term “draw” anyway.


The reason for one person hearing the word preached and being given a supernatural new birth and another remaining unmoved is a mystery hidden in the plan and purposes of God. One thing we know for sure about His purpose - He will have all glory, in all things, especially in the salvation of sinners!