John 6:59-70 · Bible study
John 6:59-70 Commentary: Crisis and Confession at Capernaum
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why many disciples left Jesus after the 'hard saying' in John 6:59-70 and what Peter's confession teaches about true faith.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus’ “hard saying” causes a mass defection, but the Twelve remain, anchored by Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Holy One of God.
- Key words: σκληρός (hard, offensive), ῥήματα (words/declarations), σκανδαλίζω (cause to stumble), ζωοποιέω (make alive), διάβολος (devil/slanderer).
- Main debate: What does “the flesh profits nothing” mean? Options: the literal flesh of Christ (Barnes), the natural human capacity (Calvin), or carnal understanding (Wesley).
- Theological theme: The sovereignty of God in drawing people to faith, combined with human responsibility and the reality of apostasy.
- Best use: A pivotal text for preaching on the cost of discipleship, the nature of true faith, and the security of those who are genuinely called.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
59Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
60On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?”
61Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you?
62Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?
63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
65Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
66From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
67So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”
70Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
WEB World English Bible 2000
59He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?”
61But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?
62Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
63It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
64But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him.
65He said, “For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.”
66At this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.
67Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?”
68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
KJV King James Version 1769
59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
ASV American Standard Version 1901
59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
61But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble?
62What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?
63It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him.
65And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.
66Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?
68Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God.
70Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
59These things he said in a synagogue, teaching in Capernaum;
60many, therefore, of his disciples having heard, said, `This word is hard; who is able to hear it?'
61And Jesus having known in himself that his disciples are murmuring about this, said to them, `Doth this stumble you?
62if then ye may behold the Son of Man going up where he was before?
63the spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life;
64but there are certain of you who do not believe;' for Jesus had known from the beginning who they are who are not believing, and who is he who will deliver him up,
65and he said, `Because of this I have said to you--No one is able to come unto me, if it may not have been given him from my Father.'
66From this time many of his disciples went away backward, and were no more walking with him,
67Jesus, therefore, said to the twelve, `Do ye also wish to go away?'
68Simon Peter, therefore, answered him, `Sir, unto whom shall we go? thou hast sayings of life age-during;
69and we have believed, and we have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'
70Jesus answered them, `Did not I choose you--the twelve? and of you--one is a devil.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
59These things he said in [the] synagogue, teaching in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples having heard [it] said, This word is hard; who can hear it?
61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmur concerning this, said to them, Does this offend you?
62If then ye see the Son of man ascending up where he was before?
63It is the Spirit which quickens, the flesh profits nothing: the words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life.
64But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would deliver him up.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no one can come to me unless it be given to him from the Father.
66From that [time] many of his disciples went away back and walked no more with him.
67Jesus therefore said to the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast words of life eternal;
69and we have believed and known that thou art the holy one of God.
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you the twelve? and of you one is a devil.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
59This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
60These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.
61Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard; and who can hear it?
62But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you?
63If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
64It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
65But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that did not believe and who he was that would betray him.
66And he said: Therefore did I say to you that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.
67After this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.
68Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?
69And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
70And we have believed and have known that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 6:59
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that John 6:59-70 records a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. The setting is the Capernaum synagogue, where Jesus spoke publicly (Clarke, Barnes). Many disciples, not just the Twelve but a wider circle, found his words “hard” (σκληρός, v.60), not difficult to grasp but offensive to accept (Cambridge, Calvin). Jesus knew their murmuring and pressed harder, pointing to his future ascension (v.62) and clarifying that his words are “spirit and life” (v.63). He also revealed his awareness of unbelief and betrayal from the start (v.64). Many then “walked no more with him” (v.66). Jesus turned to the Twelve; Peter answered for them, declaring that Jesus has “the words of eternal life” and is “the Holy One of God” (vv.68, 69). Even so, Jesus added that one of the chosen is a devil, Judas (v.70). The consensus is that the passage highlights both the offense of Jesus’ self-revelation and the sovereign grace that enables faith, while also soberly acknowledging that not all who follow truly believe.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- 'Hard saying' as offensive rather than obscure: Commentators like Calvin and Cambridge argue the difficulty was not intellectual but moral – the disciples could not accept Jesus’ claims or his demand for total dependence.
- 'Spirit gives life' as the Holy Spirit vs. spiritual meaning: Barnes holds that ‘Spirit’ here refers to the spiritual sense of Jesus’ words (not the Holy Spirit), while Calvin and Wesley identify it directly with the Holy Spirit who quickens.
- 'Flesh profits nothing' as human effort vs. literal flesh: Gill interprets ‘flesh’ as human ability; Clarke and Wesley take it as the literal, carnal understanding of Jesus’ teaching; Barnes sees it as a reference to Jesus’ own physical flesh in contrast to the Spirit.
What is clear: Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue provoked a crisis: many disciples left, while the Twelve—through Peter—confessed Jesus as the Holy One of God, the sole source of eternal life.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The 'hard saying' (v.60) | All agree that the disciples found Jesus' words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood offensive or impossible to accept. | Some emphasize the saying was hard to understand (Barnes); others say it was hard to digest morally or spiritually (Calvin, Cambridge). The disagreement lies in whether the primary obstacle was intellectual or volitional. |
| The meaning of 'the Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing' (v.63) | Commentators agree that Jesus is contrasting two realms: the spiritual and the merely physical. | Some interpret 'Spirit' as the Holy Spirit who enlivens (Calvin, Wesley), while others take it as the spiritual sense of Jesus' words (Barnes). The phrase 'flesh profits nothing' is variously understood as human effort (Gill), literal flesh (Clarke), or a carnal reading of the teaching (Cambridge). |
| Jesus' knowledge of the betrayer (v.64, 70) | All affirm that Jesus, being omniscient, knew from the beginning who would not believe and who would betray him. | Some traditions see this as evidence of divine foreknowledge that does not cause the betrayal (Wesley, Barnes); others focus on the warning as a call to repentance, since Judas heard it and still sinned (Gill). |
| The possibility of apostasy (v.66, 70) | Christians agree that some who followed Jesus for a time abandoned him, and that even among the Twelve one was lost. | Arminian traditions (Wesley, Clarke) see this as demonstrating that genuine believers can fall away. Reformed traditions (Calvin, Gill) argue that those who left were never truly among the elect, but were only professing disciples. Both positions affirm that outward association with Jesus does not guarantee salvation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The synagogue in Capernaum was the center of Jewish worship and teaching in a town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already made Capernaum his base of operations (Luke 4:31). The phrase “in the synagogue” (ἐν συναγωγῆ, v.59) likely refers to the main assembly place where Jesus taught on Sabbaths. The absence of the definite article in Greek (as Vincent notes) may simply indicate “a synagogue,” though it was probably the well-known one in Capernaum.
John’s mention of the setting underscores that this discourse was public, not private. Many of the “disciples” in v.60 were not the core Twelve but a larger group of followers who had accompanied Jesus from place to place (Barnes, Gill). They were “learners” (μαθηταί) who had attached themselves to his movement. The teaching that caused them to stumble, the necessity of eating Christ’s flesh and drinking his blood, was already perceived as scandalous. The synagogue, as the place of Scripture reading and prayer, made the controversy even more stark: this was not a whispered rumor but a public declaration that divided the congregation.
John also assumes his readers know “the twelve” (v.67), the first mention of that group in this Gospel (Cambridge). The number twelve itself echoes the twelve tribes of Israel and Jesus’ reconstitution of the people of God. The defection of many disciples and the incipient betrayal within the Twelve form a sobering backdrop. The passage thus bridges Jesus’ Galilean popularity with the shadow of the cross.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in John 6:59, 70. The Greek text is well-established across the major manuscript families. The only minor variation is in the wording of Peter’s confession (v.69): some manuscripts read “the Holy One of God” (BSB, ASV), while others read “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (WEB, KJV) or “the Christ, the Son of God” (Douay). The variant does not change the overall meaning; both affirm Jesus’ divine identity and messiahship. The manuscript evidence supports the longer reading, but the choice makes little difference for interpretation.
Reception History
This passage has been central in several theological debates throughout church history. The early church (e.g., Augustine) used it to argue for a spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Supper against overly literal or carnal misunderstandings. During the Reformation, Luther and Calvin both appealed to verse 63 (“the flesh profits nothing”) to distinguish between sacramental presence and mere physical eating, though they differed on exactly what ‘spiritual’ eating entailed. Wesley and Methodist commentators read the passage as a warning against decisional faith: many disciples left, but the true disciple stays because there is nowhere else to go. In the 20th century, the text has been used in discussions of the cost of discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) and the sovereignty of God in salvation. Across traditions, Peter’s confession has been memorized and cited as a model of personal faith, while the warning about Judas remains a sober reminder that outward belonging does not guarantee inward belief.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Hard word (vv.59, 62): Jesus teaches publicly in the synagogue, and his words cause even his own disciples to stumble. The “hard saying” is not intellectual but visceral, it offends.
- Spirit and life (vv.63, 65): Jesus points beyond literal flesh to the Spirit who gives life, and grounds faith in the Father’s gift. Human effort cannot produce belief.
- Crisis and confession (vv.66, 70): Many walk away. Jesus asks the Twelve if they also want to leave. Peter confesses Jesus as the Holy One of God, but Jesus warns that even among the chosen, one is a devil.
Five-point outline
- The public setting, teaching in the synagogue (v.59)
- The disciples’ complaint, “This is a hard saying” (v.60)
- Jesus’ counter, the ascension, the Spirit, and the words of life (vv.61, 63)
- The exposure of unbelief, Jesus knows hearts from the beginning (vv.64, 65)
- The two responses: departure of many and Peter’s confession (vv.66, 70)
Illustration hooks
- A worship service where the pastor preaches on a difficult topic (suffering, judgment, sexual ethics) and afterward several regular attendees stop coming. The congregation is smaller but more committed.
- The moment a student in a Bible study says, “If that’s what the Bible really teaches, I’m not sure I can follow it.” The tension between accepting the teacher or walking away.
- A group of friends on a journey; one by one they drop out because the path is harder than they expected. Only a few remain, but they are now closer to the leader.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why does Jesus say things that drive people away instead of explaining them more gently?”
- “If God is the one who grants faith, is it fair that some don’t believe?”
- “How do I know I’m one of the true disciples and not just a fair-weather follower?”
Leading a Discussion
In this passage, Jesus’ public teaching in the Capernaum synagogue becomes a watershed moment. Many of his followers find his words impossible to accept and leave. The Twelve remain, but even among them, one will betray him. This discussion will help your group reflect on what it means to follow Jesus when his teaching is hard, and where true faith comes from.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think John emphasizes that Jesus spoke these things “in the synagogue”? How does the setting affect the way we read the disciples’ response?
- Read verse 60: “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?” What made the teaching hard? Was it difficult to understand, or difficult to accept?
- Jesus asks in verse 62, “Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” How does his coming ascension challenge the disciples’ literal understanding of eating his flesh?
- Verse 63 says, “It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing.” What do you think Jesus means by “flesh” here, literal meat, human effort, or something else? How does this help us interpret the earlier statements about eating and drinking?
- Jesus knows from the beginning who does not believe and who will betray him (v.64). How does this knowledge shape the way he interacts with the crowd and with Judas?
- When many disciples leave, Jesus asks the Twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?” (v.67). Why does he ask this? What does Peter’s answer reveal about the nature of true discipleship?
- Verse 70 has a sharp warning: one of the chosen Twelve is a “devil.” How should this shape our understanding of belonging to a church or small group? How can we hold onto loyalty without naively trusting everyone?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 40:9 | I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know. |
| Psalms 40:10 | I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly. |
| Proverbs 1:20 | Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. |
| Proverbs 1:23 | Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. |
| Proverbs 8:1 | Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice? |
| Proverbs 8:3 | Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: |
| Luke 4:31 | He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, |
| John 6:24 | When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn’t there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that Jesus’ words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood must be taken spiritually, not literally, since the flesh profits nothing. He also insists that Judas acted on his own free will, not under divine compulsion, and so bears full guilt for his betrayal.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that "hard saying" means offensive, not difficult to understand. The disciples were repelled because Jesus claimed to be from heaven and the only source of salvation, doctrines that clash with human pride. His reply about the Spirit shows he never intended a literal eating of his flesh.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator argues the discourse on eating Christ's flesh must refer to the Eucharist, given the startling language, timing, and early church
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that the "hard saying" was not merely harsh but insufferable, driving away many followers. Peter's confession reveals that the disciples themselves were staggered, but when they considered abandoning Jesus, they realized there was no alternative offering eternal life. Yet Jesus immediately warns that even among the chosen twelve, one is a devil.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Christ's words acted like a winnowing fork, separating true followers from fair-weather ones. The hard sayings drove many away, yet the same teaching drew Peter and the core disciples closer in faith. The response revealed what was already in each heart.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley distinguishes sharply between the spiritual and literal meanings of Jesus's words. The spiritual meaning gives life, while the bare, carnal sense profits nothing. He also notes that Jesus's foreknowledge of Judas's betrayal did not cause it, and that even the chosen twelve could fall from that election.