Many Turn Away; Peter's Confession
John 6:60-71
John.6.60 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ειπαν·Σκληρος: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl + ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουτος·τις: PRON,nom,sg,m + PRON,nom,sg,m
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ακουειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- John 6:41 (verbal): Earlier in the same discourse Jews 'murmured' when Jesus claimed heavenly origin of the bread—similar reaction of offense at his teaching.
- John 6:52 (verbal): The Jews dispute among themselves, 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?'—another expression of difficulty and disbelief in response to Jesus' words.
- John 6:66 (structural): Immediate outcome of the 'hard saying': many disciples turn back and no longer follow Jesus—shows the practical consequence of the objection in 6:60.
- Matthew 15:12 (thematic): The disciples report that the Pharisees were 'offended' by Jesus' words—parallel theme of listeners being scandalized or finding Jesus' teaching unacceptable.
- Hebrews 5:11 (verbal): The author says his readers are 'dull of hearing' and that his teaching is 'hard to explain'—echoes the notion of Jesus' sayings being difficult for hearers to accept or understand.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, 'This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?'
- When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is hard; who can accept it?"
John.6.61 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- εαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- γογγυζουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Τουτο: PRON,dat,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- σκανδαλιζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 6:41 (verbal): Reports that the Jews 'murmured' (γογγύζον) at Jesus for saying he came down from heaven—same context of grumbling against his teaching.
- John 6:60 (verbal): Many disciples say Jesus' words are 'a hard saying'—this immediate prior reaction sets up Jesus' question, 'Does this offend you?'
- John 6:43 (verbal): Earlier in the chapter Jesus admonishes the crowd not to 'murmur' among themselves—same rebuke against grumbling over his teaching.
- Matthew 15:12 (verbal): The disciples tell Jesus that the Pharisees were 'offended' (σκανδαλίζονται) by his saying—uses the same verb (σκανδαλίζει/σκανδαλίζω) as John 6:61 and parallels the theme of being scandalized by Jesus' words.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about it, said to them, 'Does this offend you?'
- But Jesus, aware that his disciples were grumbling about it, said to them, "Does this offend you?"
John.6.62 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- θεωρητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αναβαινοντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- οπου: ADV,rel
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προτερον: ADV
Parallels
- John 3:13 (verbal): Uses the same 'Son of Man' language and the idea that no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended — directly relates to Jesus' remark about ascending where he was before.
- Daniel 7:13 (allusion): The 'Son of Man' figure coming with the clouds and receiving authority provides the Old Testament background for Jesus' identity and his heavenly origin/enthronement implied by 'ascending where he was before.'
- Luke 24:51 (structural): Narrates Jesus' physical ascension into heaven after the resurrection — a narrative fulfilment of the claim that the Son of Man would ascend to the place he occupied previously.
- Acts 1:9-11 (structural): Gives the apostles' eyewitness account of Jesus' ascension and the angels' promise of his return, directly echoing the theme of Jesus' ascent 'to where he was before.'
- Philippians 2:9-11 (thematic): Speaks of Christ's exaltation and being given the name above every name — thematically parallels the return of the Son of Man to his prior place of glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascend where he was before?
- "What then if you should see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
John.6.63 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ζωοποιουν: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σαρξ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ωφελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ουδεν·τα: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- λελαληκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ζωη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 3:6 (thematic): Contrast between flesh and spirit—'that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit' echoes John 6:63's claim that the flesh profits nothing while the Spirit gives life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:45 (verbal): Paul calls the last Adam a 'life-giving spirit' (πνεῦμα ζωοποιοῦν), paralleling Jesus' statement 'the Spirit is the one who gives life' and similar verbal imagery.
- Romans 8:10-11 (thematic): Paul's teaching that the Spirit gives life to mortal bodies and that Christ's Spirit quickens believers parallels John 6:63's link between Spirit and life and the insufficiency of the flesh.
- Ezekiel 37:5, 10 (allusion): The vision of dry bones receiving breath and coming to life ('I will cause breath to enter you... and you shall live') uses breath/Spirit imagery to convey life-giving power, resonating with John 6:63's pneuma/zoopoiein motif.
- John 6:51 (structural): In the same discourse Jesus identifies himself as the 'living bread' that gives life; John 6:63's assertion that Jesus' words are 'spirit and life' reinforces the chapter's central claim that Jesus (and his words) bestow life beyond mere fleshly sustenance.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
- It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John.6.64 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- πιστευουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ηδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- εξ: PREP
- αρχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- πιστευοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παραδωσων: PART,fut,act,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 2:24-25 (verbal): Jesus' knowledge of people's inner disposition—'he knew what was in man'—parallels John 6:64's statement that Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe and who would betray him.
- John 6:70-71 (structural): Immediate context in John: Jesus points out that one of the twelve is a devil and names Judas Iscariot, directly linking Jesus' foreknowledge to the identification of the betrayer.
- John 13:18 (quotation): Jesus cites Scripture about a close associate who betrays (quoting the Psalms) and speaks of knowing whom he has chosen, echoing the theme of foreknowledge in John 6:64.
- John 13:21-27 (thematic): Narrative episode in which Jesus predicts and then indicates the betrayer (Judas), enacting the foreknowledge mentioned in John 6:64 by both predicting and revealing the betrayer.
- Psalm 41:9 (LXX 40:10) (quotation): The psalm about a trusted companion who lifts up his heel against the psalmist is quoted in John 13 and functions as the Old Testament background for the betrayal motif and Jesus' foreknowledge of it.
Alternative generated candidates
- But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.
- But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.
John.6.65 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελεγεν·Δια: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειρηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δεδομενον: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,f
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 6:44 (verbal): Very close wording and immediate parallel: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him"—both stress that coming to Jesus depends on the Father's action.
- John 6:37 (verbal): Explicitly connects to the same idea of divine gift: "All that the Father gives me will come to me," emphasizing those 'given by the Father' who come to Jesus.
- Acts 13:48 (thematic): After Paul and Barnabas preach, "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed," reflecting the theme of divine appointment/granting that enables belief.
- John 10:29 (thematic): Speaks of persons given by the Father to the Son and their security ("no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand"), linking the Father’s giving to the identity and perseverance of Jesus' followers.
- Romans 8:29-30 (structural): Presents a theological sequence (foreknowledge → predestination → calling → justification → glorification) that, like John 6:65, emphasizes salvation as initiated and secured by God's sovereign action.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.'
- And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted him by the Father.
John.6.66 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εκ: PREP
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- απηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- οπισω: ADV
- και: CONJ
- ουκετι: ADV
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- περιεπατουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- John 6:60 (structural): Immediate narrative lead‑in: many disciples react to Jesus' 'hard' teaching, which precipitates the departure reported in 6:66.
- John 6:67 (structural): Immediate follow‑up: Jesus asks the Twelve if they will also leave, highlighting the contrast between the departing crowd and the remaining core.
- Mark 14:50 (thematic): At Jesus' arrest 'they all forsook him and fled' — a parallel theme of disciples abandoning Jesus in a crisis.
- 1 Kings 19:14 (allusion): Elijah's lament 'I alone am left' echoes the sense of isolation and loss when followers withdraw from a prophet/leader.
- Matthew 24:10 (thematic): Jesus' prophecy that 'many will fall away' reflects the broader motif of apostasy and defections from the community of faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- From that time many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
- From that time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
John.6.67 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δωδεκα·Μη: NUM,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- θελετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- υπαγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- John 6:66 (structural): Immediately precedes 6:67 and reports that many disciples 'turned back and no longer followed' Jesus, providing the occasion for Jesus' question to the Twelve.
- John 6:68 (structural): Direct response to 6:67 (Peter's confession: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life'), showing the alternative reaction of the Twelve to the defections.
- John 13:36 (thematic): Jesus addresses Peter about following him ('Where I am going you cannot follow now'), touching the same theme of discipleship, separation, and the cost of following Jesus.
- Matthew 26:31-35 (thematic): After predicting the disciples' scattering, Peter insists he will not fall away—echoing the motif of a leader's prediction of defections and a disciple's vow of loyalty that is later tested.
- Luke 9:57-62 (thematic): Teachings about the demands and costs of following Jesus (e.g., leaving home, total commitment) parallel the challenge implicit in Jesus' question about whether the Twelve will also depart.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also wish to go away?'
- So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"
John.6.68 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος·Κυριε: PROPN,nom,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- απελευσομεθα: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,pl
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αιωνιου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- εχεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- John 6:63 (verbal): Jesus: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” directly echoes Peter’s claim that Jesus has the words of eternal life.
- John 6:35 (thematic): “I am the bread of life” — Jesus as the source of life and satisfaction parallels Peter’s recognition that Jesus alone supplies eternal life.
- John 6:51 (thematic): “I am the living bread…whoever eats of this bread will live forever” — another statement in the same discourse linking Jesus’ person/teaching to eternal life.
- John 10:27-28 (thematic): “My sheep… I give them eternal life, and they will never perish” — affirms Jesus as the giver and guarantor of eternal life, resonating with Peter’s confession.
- John 17:3 (thematic): “This is eternal life, that they know you…the only true God, and Jesus Christ” — defines eternal life in relational/knowledge terms, which Peter’s remark implies the disciples receive through Jesus’ words.
Alternative generated candidates
- Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;'
- Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;
John.6.69 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- πεπιστευκαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- εγνωκαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 1:24 (verbal): A demon addresses Jesus as “the Holy One of God,” using the same phrase found in John 6:69—direct verbal parallel in recognition of Jesus' holy/divine identity.
- Luke 4:34 (verbal): Parallel to Mark 1:24; a demonic voice identifies Jesus as “the Holy One of God,” echoing the exact title confessed in John 6:69.
- Matthew 16:16 (thematic): Peter’s confession “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” is a closely related declaration of Jesus’ identity—thematic parallel of disciples’ faith in who Jesus is.
- John 1:49 (thematic): Nathanael’s confession “Rabbi, you are the Son of God” similarly affirms Jesus’ divine identity, parallel to the disciples’ belief and knowledge in John 6:69.
- John 1:34 (allusion): John the Baptist’s testimony “This is the Son of God” resonates with John 6:69’s affirmation—both function as eyewitness testimony affirming Jesus’ unique, God‑given status.
Alternative generated candidates
- and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.'
- and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God."
John.6.70 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Ουκ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- εξελεξαμην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- διαβολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 6:71 (structural): Immediate continuation that names Judas Iscariot as the one Jesus meant—direct identification of the spoken remark.
- John 13:18 (verbal): Jesus again speaks of having chosen the twelve ('I know whom I have chosen') while linking that choice to the fulfillment of Scripture and impending betrayal—echoes the language and theme of John 6:70.
- John 13:27 (verbal): States that Satan entered into Judas after the sop, paralleling John 6:70's characterization of one disciple as 'a devil'—a direct connection between Judas and Satanic influence.
- John 17:12 (thematic): In Jesus' prayer Judas is called the 'son of perdition' and the only one lost, reflecting the judgmental/antinomic role attributed to the betrayer in John 6:70.
- Psalm 41:9 (quotation): Old Testament motif of an intimate companion who betrays ('Even my close friend... has lifted up his heel against me'); quoted in John 13:18 and serves as the background for New Testament portrayals of Judas's betrayal.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered them, 'Have I not chosen you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.'
- Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."
John.6.71 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιουδαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Σιμωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ισκαριωτου·ουτος: NOUN,gen,sg,m+PRO,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εμελλεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- παραδιδοναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 6:70 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter where Jesus says he has chosen the twelve and adds that one of them is a devil—preparing the reader for identification of the betrayer (same scene/context).
- John 13:21-30 (verbal): Jesus identifies that one of the twelve will betray him and gives the morsel to Judas Iscariot; the narrative explicitly names and isolates Judas as the betrayer, echoing John 6:71's identification.
- John 13:2 (allusion): Verse notes that the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, providing the spiritual motive background echoed in John 6:71.
- Matthew 26:14-16 (thematic): Synoptic account where Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver—a parallel description of Judas as the betrayer among the twelve.
- John 18:2-5 (structural): Narrative of the arrest in Gethsemane led by Judas, who identifies Jesus to the arresting party—fulfillment and concrete action of the betrayal indicated in John 6:71.
Alternative generated candidates
- He spoke of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon; for he it was who would betray him, and he was one of the twelve.
- He spoke of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon; for he, one of the twelve, was about to betray him.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is hard; who can accept it?"
Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble?"
"What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no advantage. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Yet there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
From that time many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, "Will you also go away?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God."
Jesus answered them, "Have I not chosen you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil."
He meant Judas son of Simon Iscariot; for he it was who, being one of the twelve, would betray him.