John 6:60β71 β Many Disciples Turn Back
π Passage
John 6:60β71 Read John 6:60β71 (NKJV)
π§ Context & Background
After declaring Himself the bread of life and teaching that His followers must βeat His flesh and drink His bloodβ to have eternal life, many disciples find the teaching offensive and difficult to accept. This moment marks a turning point in Jesusβ ministry where the crowd begins to thin, revealing the difference between superficial followers and true disciples. The passage also highlights Godβs sovereign role in drawing people to Christ and closes with Peterβs confession of faith, even as Judasβ coming betrayal is foreshadowed.
πΏ Key Themes
- Offense of the Gospel β The truth of Christβs teaching confronts human pride and misunderstanding.
- Sovereign Grace β Faith is a gift; no one comes unless granted by the Father.
- True Discipleship β Following Christ means accepting His word even when it is difficult.
- Confession of Faith β Peter affirms Jesus as the Holy One of God.
- Foreshadowing Betrayal β Judas is identified as the one who will betray Jesus.
π Verse-by-Verse Commentary
John 6:60β63
"This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" - Difficulty in Understanding β Jesusβ words are spiritually discerned, not grasped through fleshly thinking.
- Spirit Gives Life β The contrast between the Spirit and the flesh underscores dependence on Godβs work.
- Life-Giving Words β Jesusβ teaching is not optional advice but the very words of eternal life.
John 6:64β65
"No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." - Divine Initiative β Salvation begins with Godβs calling, not human effort.
- Foreknowledge of Betrayal β Jesus knows from the start who will not believe and who will betray Him.
- Exclusive Grace β Coming to Christ is a supernatural work of Godβs grace.
John 6:66
"After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him." - Testing of Commitment β Hard truth reveals who are genuine followers.
- Cost of Discipleship β Following Jesus may mean losing comfort, popularity, and personal expectations.
John 6:67β69
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." - Peterβs Confession β Recognizes Jesus as the unique source of salvation.
- Faith and Knowledge β True discipleship is rooted in both trust and the recognition of Christβs identity.
- Holy One of God β A messianic title affirming Jesusβ divine mission and holiness.
John 6:70β71
"One of you is a devil." - Sovereign Awareness β Jesus is fully aware of Judasβ coming betrayal.
- Purpose in Godβs Plan β Even the betrayal will serve the purposes of redemption.
π Trusted Insight
R.C. Sproul notes that the offense taken by many disciples shows that the gospel is not merely about moral improvement but about spiritual transformation that only God can accomplish. Those whom the Father draws will come, and those who come will remain because of Godβs preserving grace.
Summary: True disciples remain because they have been drawn by the Father and know that Christ alone has the words of eternal life.
𧩠Review Questions
- Why did so many disciples turn away after Jesusβ teaching in this chapter?
- How does verse 65 clarify the nature of saving faith?
- What does Peterβs confession reveal about true discipleship?
- How does the mention of Judas prepare the reader for future events in the Gospel?
π Definitions
- Hard Saying β A teaching difficult to accept because it challenges human assumptions or demands radical commitment.
- Spirit β The Holy Spirit who imparts life and enables understanding of Godβs truth.
- Holy One of God β A title recognizing Jesus as Godβs consecrated, anointed Messiah.
π Application Questions
- How do you respond when Godβs Word confronts your expectations or comfort?
- What keeps you following Jesus when others turn away?
- How does knowing salvation is initiated by the Father strengthen your faith?
π€ Greek Keywords
- Skleros (Hard) β Harsh, stern, or difficult to accept.
- Pneuma (Spirit) β The life-giving Spirit of God.
- DidΕmi (Grant) β To give or bestow; in salvation, God granting the ability to believe.
- Hagios (Holy) β Set apart, sacred, unique to Godβs nature.
π Cross References
- Isaiah 55:8β9 β Godβs ways are higher than manβs ways.
- Matthew 16:16 β Peterβs confession that Jesus is the Christ.
- Luke 22:3 β Satan enters Judas before his betrayal.
- John 3:6 β The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
- Acts 4:12 β Salvation is found in no one else but Christ.
Summary: This passage presents a spiritual watershed: many turn away, while the faithful remain. Jesus reveals that faith is a gift of God, not a product of fleshly will, and His true disciples know there is no life outside of Him.