(43-22a)
For this week’s study:
- Any time you read or study the Bible, always start with prayer, asking God to guide you, so you understand God’s message and learn His methods for living.
- Read John 6:59-71 several times using your Bible, and the two translations provided below, to understand the boundaries, content and flow of the study passage. (Reading the passage once a day from any of those translations is recommended.)
- Read and respond to the “Study Guide” and use the “Study Resources” provided below to learn more from this study passage.
Read the Passage
Berean Standard Bible
(BSB)
Many Disciples Turn Back
(cp. Matthew 8:18–22;
Luke 9:57–62; Luke 14:25–33)
<59>Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. <60>On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?”
<61>Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? <62>Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?
<63>The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. <64>However, 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.)
<65>Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
<66>From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
Peter’s Confession of Faith
(cp. Matthew 16:13–20;
Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20)
<67>So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
<68>Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. <69>We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.1 ”
<70>Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” <71>He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.
Word Come Alive
(WCA)
(An extended translation)*
<59>By this time, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
‘Do you find my message too radical?’
<60>His followers heard what Jesus said, but these teachings were too much for many of them. They understood Jesus’ words literally, not spiritually. They said, ‘These things are too hard for us to accept. Who could go along with them?’
<61>Jesus knew that his followers were complaining in this way, so he asked them, ‘Do you find my message too radical and offensive? <62>Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man rise up to where he came from? How will you respond to a higher glory? <63>It is the Spirit that produces life; there’s no way that human nature can produce real spiritual life by itself. The words I have spoken to you are full of the life that comes from the Spirit. <64>But some of you who are listening to me do not believe.’
Jesus knew from the beginning who among them wouldn’t believe and which one of them would betray him. <65>He continued, ‘This is why I told you no one can come to me unless the Father draws them.’
<66>As a result of this, many of Jesus’ followers turned their backs on him and deserted him. <67>So Jesus asked his twelve closest followers, his apprentices, ‘Surely you don’t want to leave me as well, do you? Is each of you fully committed to me?’
<68>Simon Peter spoke up for all of them and responded to Jesus, ‘Lord, who else can we turn to? Only you have the words of eternal life. <69>We’ve come to trust in you and know that you really are the Holy One of God.’
<70>Jesus answered them, ‘Haven’t I chosen you twelve, even though I know that one of you is a devil, full of evil?’ <71>(Jesus was referring to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, who was going to betray him, even though he was one of the twelve apprentices.)
* Words in italics are not translated from the original Greek text. They have been added to explain and at times apply the text, much as a preacher does on a Sunday or notes do at the foot of the page in a study Bible. These additions are integrated with the text itself, and are in italics, so readers can see what has been explained, changed or added.
Study the Passage
Study Guide
Throughout the Bible, God expects us to respond to what He tells us. In this passage, we see the only two possible responses:
► Do Believe in Jesus and follow Him (John 6:67-69)
- Why did (or would) you choose to follow Jesus?
- How can someone learn to follow Jesus?
► Don’t believe in Jesus nor follow Him (John 6:60-66)
- Why haven’t (or wouldn’t) you choose to follow Jesus?
- If not Jesus, who or what do (or would) you follow?
The Bible says:
“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18)
As the apostle Paul wrote:
“As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:1–2)
Jesus said:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
“Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47)
Study Resources
To learn more about this study passage, go to
https://www.bibleref.com/John/6/John-6-59.html. Read the commentary of each verse in the study passage. (Also read the Context Summary and the Chapter Summary.)
If you have any questions about this passage, type the verse reference or your question in the search box at the top of
https://www.gotquestions.org/ and explore the results.
If you have a study Bible, read the footnotes and study notes and see how they help you understand this passage. Also check out any maps, charts and articles related to the study passage.
Do you want to choose Jesus? Here are three resources to help you:
► Talk to someone who already follows Jesus.
► Read the article: How can I become a child of God?
► Consider and respond to the “Romans Road to Salvation” below.
Romans Road to Salvation
The Human Problem – Sin (Romans 3:10–12, 23)
- As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
The Penalty for Sin – Death (Romans 6:23)
- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Solution for Sin – Jesus (Romans 5:8)
- But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Way to Jesus – Faith (Romans 10:8-9)
- But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Assurance of Faith – Promise (Romans 10:11–13)
- It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Thessalonian Faith 