John 6:66 kjv
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 6:66 nkjv
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
John 6:66 niv
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
John 6:66 esv
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
John 6:66 nlt
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
John 6 66 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 9:62 | "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom..." | Consequence of looking back and abandoning the call |
| 1 Jn 2:19 | "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us..." | Those who abandon faith were never truly believers |
| Heb 10:39 | "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who..." | Contrasts perseverance with apostasy |
| 2 Pet 2:20-22 | "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge..." | Return to former ways, indicating unregenerate state |
| Jn 6:60 | "When many of his disciples heard it, they said, 'This is a hard saying; who can listen...'" | Immediate context, shows their difficulty with His words |
| Matt 7:13-14 | "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads..." | Discipleship requires a costly and narrow path |
| Lk 14:26-27 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife..." | The extreme demands of true discipleship |
| Jn 6:68 | "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'" | The unwavering commitment of true disciples |
| Jn 6:44 | "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will..." | Emphasizes divine initiative in coming to Christ |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for..." | Natural human inability to grasp spiritual truth |
| Rom 8:7-8 | "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not..." | The carnal mind's opposition to God's ways |
| Jn 3:6 | "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." | Contrast between physical and spiritual birth/understanding |
| Jn 6:63 | "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words..." | Understanding His words requires spiritual discernment |
| Deut 8:3 | "...man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from..." | Dependence on God's words, not just physical provision |
| Ps 78:36-37 | "But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues..." | Foreshadows hypocrisy and insincere hearts in Old Testament followers |
| Prov 25:15 | "With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." | Difficulty in accepting harsh or unpopular truths |
| Matt 10:38 | "And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." | Self-denial and sacrifice as prerequisites for following Christ |
| Col 2:6-7 | "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him..." | Continual adherence and progression in faith |
| Eph 4:1 | "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy..." | Admonition for a consistent walk of life as a believer |
| Heb 3:12 | "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart..." | Warning against unbelief leading to falling away |
| Phil 3:18-19 | "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk..." | Description of those whose god is their belly, focused on earthly things |
| 2 Tim 4:10 | "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me..." | Example of a specific individual turning away due to worldly desires |
John 6 verses
John 6 66 Meaning
John 6:66 marks a critical turning point in Jesus' public ministry. It records the decisive moment when a large number of His initial followers, described as "disciples," turned away from Him. Their departure was a direct consequence of their inability to accept and internalize the "hard saying" (John 6:60) Jesus had delivered, specifically His teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood as the means to eternal life (John 6:53-56). This verse signifies the sifting of superficial belief from true commitment, highlighting the cost of genuine discipleship and the offense many took at the spiritual depth of Jesus' claims, which contradicted their physical and political expectations of a Messiah.
John 6 66 Context
John chapter 6 begins with Jesus feeding five thousand men, performing a physical miracle that satisfies the crowd's hunger for "bread" (John 6:1-15). The crowd, seeking more physical sustenance and a king who would provide earthly blessings, pursued Jesus across the sea. In the ensuing "Bread of Life" discourse (John 6:22-59), Jesus elevates the discussion from perishable physical food to the imperishable spiritual food, declaring Himself to be "the bread of life." He states the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to have eternal life, which profoundly offended His audience (John 6:53-56, 60). This statement was jarring, seemingly alluding to cannibalism to a Jewish audience accustomed to strict dietary laws (e.g., prohibition of blood in Lev 17:10-14). Culturally, such imagery was deeply offensive and blasphemous without spiritual understanding. Their inability or unwillingness to grasp the symbolic, spiritual nature of this teaching (referring to fully partaking in His sacrifice and believing in Him) led to a massive defection. The historical context reflects a Jewish populace eager for a Messiah who would overthrow Roman oppression and provide temporal provisions, a far cry from Jesus' call to spiritual allegiance and self-sacrifice. John 6:66 directly follows this discourse, illustrating the sharp division between those who sought temporal gains and those few who understood (or were being drawn to understand) the spiritual, eternal realities Jesus presented.
John 6 66 Word analysis
- From that time (Greek: ἐκ τούτου - ek toutou): This phrase indicates both a temporal and causal connection. It points directly to Jesus' "hard saying" about His flesh and blood as the cause or trigger for the subsequent events, marking a specific and decisive moment of rejection.
- many (Greek: πολλοὶ - polloi): Emphasizes the significant number of people involved, indicating a widespread defection rather than an isolated incident. This shows the impact of Jesus' uncompromising teaching on a large segment of His following.
- of his disciples (Greek: τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ - tōn mathētōn autou): Here, "disciples" (μάθηται - mathētai) refers to a broader group of followers and learners, not exclusively the inner twelve apostles. It suggests individuals who had some level of commitment to Jesus, observed Him, and listened to His teachings, indicating an initial acceptance of His person or claims, but one that ultimately proved superficial.
- went back (Greek: ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω - apēlthon eis ta opisō): Literally, "they went away into the things behind." This signifies a spiritual retreat, a reversal of direction, and a return to their former lives, beliefs, or perhaps even their previous teachers. It implies a conscious abandonment of their commitment to follow Jesus and His new teachings.
- and walked no more (Greek: καὶ οὐκέτι... περιεπάτουν - kai ouketi... periepatoun): The term "walked" (περιεπάτουν - periepatoun) is an idiom for continued association, lifestyle, or allegiance. "No more" (οὐκέτι - ouketi) signifies a permanent cessation.
- with him (Greek: μετ' αὐτοῦ - met' autou): Indicates companionship, participation, and active alignment.
- walked no more with him: This entire phrase strongly conveys a complete and final cessation of their association with Jesus. They no longer considered themselves His followers, nor did they live in accordance with His teaching or pursue the path He laid out.
Word-groups analysis
- "From that time many of his disciples": This grouping highlights the substantial and decisive shift in Jesus' following, demonstrating how His difficult teachings filtered out a large number of less committed individuals. It underlines that simply associating with Jesus did not equate to true faith.
- "went back and walked no more with him": This construction emphasizes the thoroughness of their departure. It wasn't just a pause or a temporary disillusionment; it was an active turning away ("went back") leading to a complete and permanent severance of their discipleship ("walked no more with him"). Their rejection was total.
John 6 66 Bonus section
The number "66" itself holds no specific symbolic meaning or significance within the context of John's Gospel or this particular event; it is merely the verse number. It is crucial not to conflate this numerical coincidence with other instances of symbolic numbers in Scripture, such as "666" in Revelation, which carries entirely different connotations. This mass defection underscores a repeated theme in the Gospels: true faith is more than outward following or initial enthusiasm. It demands persevering through difficult truths, confronting personal expectations, and a profound commitment that often separates the curious from the genuinely called. This event serves as an example of Jesus' divine knowledge; He knew "from the beginning" who would not believe and who would betray Him (Jn 6:64), emphasizing His sovereignty even in the face of widespread abandonment.
John 6 66 Commentary
John 6:66 stands as a profound moment of crisis in Jesus' early ministry, illustrating the inherent cost and uncompromising nature of genuine discipleship. The "Bread of Life" discourse, culminating in the spiritual demand to "eat My flesh and drink My blood," proved to be a decisive test. Those who "went back" revealed a superficial commitment, motivated by temporal benefits (like physical bread and perhaps political liberation) rather than a deep understanding or acceptance of Jesus' spiritual identity and His atoning work. Their failure to grasp the symbolic, spiritual meaning of His words – that to partake of Him meant to fully embrace His sacrifice and integrate His life-giving truth – led to their alienation. This verse underscores that faith must transcend physical understanding and worldly expectations, demanding spiritual discernment and an unreserved surrender to Christ's unique claims. It reminds believers that Jesus' teachings will always serve as a 'stumbling block' for some, while for others, they are "words of eternal life."