27 · Jesus' Words

Many Disciples Leave Jesus

John 6:60–69

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Jesus speaks with Peter and several remaining disciples on a rocky road while other people walk away in the background.

Many leave over Jesus' difficult teaching. He asks the Twelve if they also want to go.

Why does Peter stay when others leave?

Choose a perspective

There is no score – choose the perspective you find closest and discuss why.

Discuss: Can we follow Jesus without understanding everything he says?

After your discussion: compare with our assessment

Our assessment

B and C are closest to our understanding. B is supported by Peter's confession that they have believed and come to know who Jesus is. C is expressed almost directly in "To whom would we go?" and "You have the words of eternal life."

27 · John 6:60–69

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Text & context

Full translation

60 When many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This is a hard saying. Who can listen to it?” 61 Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were grumbling about this and said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is of no help. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some among you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to that person by the Father.” 66 After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Translated from the Greek text – SBLGNT

What is happening here?
This passage concludes the discourse following the feeding sign. Jesus has called himself the bread of life and used strong language about eating the Son of Man's flesh and drinking his blood.
Notice this

John explicitly calls them disciples. They have followed Jesus but reach a point where they no longer continue walking with him. sklēros can describe something difficult not only to understand but also to accept. Jesus has spoken about himself as the bread of life and about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. For Jewish hearers, language about drinking blood would be especially provocative against the background of Torah. John 6 has a long Christian interpretive history. Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions differ in how they emphasize eucharistic, sacramental, symbolic, and faith-oriented readings. This card does not need to settle the entire debate. When people react, Jesus does not simply withdraw everything difficult in order to retain the audience. Verse 63 should be handled carefully. It should not automatically erase the significance of Jesus' preceding language about his flesh. John's wider contrast between human ability and life through the Spirit is relevant. John's wording makes discipleship a journey with Jesus. Those who leave no longer walk with him. The particle mē often suggests an expected negative answer: "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Yet the Twelve still have to answer. Peter's response is relational. The alternative to Jesus is not merely another location or idea but another person. Peter describes a conviction that has developed concerning Jesus' identity. This does not imply complete understanding. The shorter reading "the Holy One of God" has strong manuscript support. The textual tradition also contains longer forms of the confession. The text does not say Peter has resolved every difficulty. His judgment about who Jesus is outweighs his need for complete understanding in the moment. John's Gospel is full of questions, misunderstandings, and gradual understanding. The contrast here is between continued discipleship and no longer wanting to walk with Jesus.

Language & translation

From the Greek

σκληρός -- sklēros

hard / difficult / offensive

σκανδαλίζει -- skandalizei

causes to stumble / gives offense

μαθηταί -- mathētai

disciples

πρὸς τίνα -- pros tina

to whom

ῥήματα ζωῆς αἰωνίου -- rhēmata zōēs aiōniou

words of eternal life

Translation note

Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition.

Compare for yourself

Read John 6:60–69 and compare the reaction of the disciples who leave Jesus with Peter's response when Jesus asks the Twelve whether they also want to go away. Pay particular attention to what Peter does not say. Does he say that Jesus' teaching is easy to understand, or does he give another reason for staying?

    Continue the conversation

    Discuss further
    1. What does it mean that those leaving are actually called disciples?
    2. Is a "hard saying" difficult to understand or difficult to accept?
    3. Why does Peter ask "to whom"?
    4. Must someone understand everything before continuing to follow?
    5. How should different Christian interpretations of John 6 be handled?
    6. What is the difference between asking questions and ceasing to follow?
    Parallel passages
    • John 6:35–59
    • John 10:27–30
    • John 14:5–7
    • Matthew 16:13–17
    Sources
    • The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), John 6:60–69
    • Standard Greek lexical resources for sklēros, skandalizō, mathētēs, rhēma, pisteuō, and ginōskō
    • Text-critical comparison of John 6:69