John 6 61

John 6:61 kjv

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

John 6:61 nkjv

When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you?

John 6:61 niv

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?

John 6:61 esv

But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?

John 6:61 nlt

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?

John 6 verses

John 6 61 Meaning

Jesus, perceiving inwardly that His disciples were grumbling about what He had said, revealed that His words were spirit and life, but not all of them believed. This verse marks a critical juncture where the internal thoughts and reactions of the disciples are exposed, and Jesus addresses the core of their misunderstanding.

John 6 61 Context

This verse appears in John chapter 6, following Jesus' discourse on being the Bread of Life, His miraculous feeding of the five thousand, and His walking on water. Many of the crowd, and even some of His disciples, struggled with His teaching that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. They found it hard to understand, literally thinking He meant cannibalism. In the preceding verses, Jesus has been emphasizing the spiritual nature of His words, contrasting them with literal understanding and highlighting the failure of those who reject His deeper meaning. This particular verse occurs just before Jesus asks His twelve disciples if they also wish to leave, a pivotal moment underscoring the exclusive nature of true discipleship.

John 6 61 Word Analysis

• Jesus: The divine Son of God, the Messiah, who perfectly understands human hearts and motivations.
• Perceiving: Greek: eidō (εἰδώς) - "knowing," "having perceived," or "having understood." This implies more than just seeing; it signifies an intuitive and comprehensive awareness of their inner thoughts.
• Inwardly: Refers to the inner man, the thoughts and disposition of the heart, not just outward behavior. Jesus' awareness penetrates the surface.
• Grumbling: Greek: goggyskō (γογγύζω) - To mutter, complain, speak discontentedly. This term suggests a passive, continuous, and secretive dissatisfaction, a murmuring against authority or a difficult situation.
• What he had said: The specific teachings of Jesus about His identity, His mission, and the requirement to eat His flesh and drink His blood.
• Were grumbling: The present participle in Greek emphasizes the ongoing nature of their dissatisfaction.
• Did they stumble at this: Greek: skandalizō (σκανδαλίζω) - To cause to stumble, to offend, to cause to sin. This refers to their being tripped up and offended by His words, leading to their rejection.
• Words are spirit and life: This is the core of Jesus' clarification.
  • Spirit: Greek: pneuma (πνεῦμα) - Refers to the non-material, divine aspect of His words, their spiritual meaning, which needs to be understood by the Holy Spirit. It contrasts with a literal, physical interpretation.
  • Life: Greek: zōē (ζωή) - Divine, eternal life. His words convey the very essence of life and are the means by which true life is imparted.
• But there are some of you who do not believe: Jesus' acknowledgment that even among those who heard His explanation, a genuine lack of faith was present. This highlights that belief is a prerequisite for understanding and receiving the spiritual life offered.

Word Group Analysis:

• Perceiving inwardly that they were grumbling: Jesus’ divine insight into the hearts of His followers. He not only heard their outward murmuring but understood the root cause of their internal dissatisfaction. This speaks to His omniscience and His understanding of the human condition.
• Did they stumble at this: The word "stumble" is significant. It means their spiritual foot was caught, they were hindered and offended, leading them away from accepting the truth. Their inability to grasp the spiritual dimension caused them to reject His teaching entirely.
• My words are spirit and life: This statement contrasts the literal, physical understanding with the true spiritual reality. Jesus’ teachings, when properly received through faith, are not mere words but impart divine life. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing (v. 63).

John 6 61 Bonus Section

The concept of "stumbling" here resonates with the prophetic theme in Isaiah 8:14, where the Lord of Hosts is a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to Israel, implying that Jesus himself is the object of their rejection. This also echoes the way many hardened their hearts in the wilderness, even after witnessing miracles, and therefore did not enter God's rest (Hebrews 4:1-11). Jesus’ intention was not to confuse, but to discern those whose hearts were truly open to His divine work. His words are designed to separate genuine faith from superficial adherence, making clear that He is not merely a human teacher but the divine life-giver whose message transcends carnal understanding.

John 6 61 Commentary

Jesus’ pronouncement that His words are "spirit and life" is crucial. It directly confronts the literalistic and carnal interpretation that caused so many to "stumble." The teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood is not a physical act but a spiritual one, signifying union with Him, participation in His sacrifice, and reliance on His atoning work for eternal life. True understanding comes not by human logic or biological processes but by the Spirit’s illumination, empowering faith to grasp the divine truth. The verse starkly illustrates that genuine discipleship requires spiritual receptivity and unwavering faith, even when the teachings are challenging or incomprehensible to the natural mind. The presence of unbelief among those who heard this explanation shows that external proximity to Jesus and His teachings does not guarantee internal assent or understanding.