John 6 67

John 6:67 kjv

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

John 6:67 nkjv

Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"

John 6:67 niv

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

John 6:67 esv

So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"

John 6:67 nlt

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"

John 6 verses

John 6 67 Meaning

In John 6:67, Jesus poses a penetrating question to His closest disciples, "Do you also want to go away?" This question comes at a pivotal moment immediately after many who had followed Him, described as "His disciples," abandoned Him because they found His teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood too difficult to accept. The query is a direct challenge to the commitment and understanding of the twelve, forcing them to confront their motives and solidify their allegiance. It highlights Jesus' expectation of a deeper, spiritual adherence, testing their faith and drawing a clear line between casual followers and those genuinely bound to Him by divine calling and conviction. It is not a question of ignorance on Jesus' part, but a catalyst for their declaration of loyalty and understanding.

John 6 67 Context

John 6:67 occurs at the climax of the "Bread of Life Discourse." Following Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Jn 6:1-14) and His walking on water (Jn 6:15-21), large crowds followed Him, largely seeking more bread or physical signs. Jesus, however, redirected their focus from perishable food to Himself as the true spiritual bread from heaven, vital for eternal life (Jn 6:26-59). His teaching, particularly about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, was perceived as extremely difficult and even scandalous (Jn 6:60). As a result, many who had previously identified as His disciples turned back and ceased to follow Him (Jn 6:66). In the immediate aftermath of this mass defection, Jesus turns directly to the group of "the twelve," a distinguished inner circle, and poses this intensely personal question. Historically, Jewish leaders held specific interpretations of messianic roles and divine law, and Jesus' claims and paradoxical metaphors often challenged these established beliefs, leading to profound divisions among His listeners. The question posed to the twelve marks a point of separation, requiring an explicit choice for or against continued discipleship rooted in a spiritual understanding beyond mere physical gratification or human logic.

John 6 67 Word analysis

• Then (οὖν - oun): This Greek particle indicates a continuation or consequence, highlighting that Jesus' question is a direct and immediate reaction to the mass departure of the other disciples in the preceding verses (John 6:60, 66). It marks a pivotal moment following the winnowing of the crowd.

• Jesus (ὁ Ἰησοῦς - ho Iēsous): His standard name, here emphasized as the One who initiated the difficult teaching and now challenges His inner circle. His identity underscores the gravity of the decision being sought.

• said (ἔλεγεν - elegien): Imperfect tense, suggesting the solemnity or directness of His utterance, not a casual remark. It implies an impactful, weighty statement at a critical juncture.

• to the twelve (τοῖς δώδεκα - tois dōdeka): This distinct designation refers to the apostles He had chosen, singling out their unique position and responsibility. They are not merely part of the larger crowd, but hold a foundational role in His ministry.

• Do you also (μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς - mē kai hymeis): The Greek particle "μὴ" (mē) anticipates a negative answer, indicating that Jesus is testing their loyalty, expecting them not to leave. "καὶ" (kai) means "also" or "even," directly linking their potential departure to that of the previous followers. "ὑμεῖς" (hymeis) is the emphatic plural "you," specifically addressing them with profound directness.

• want (θέλετε - thelete): From thelō, meaning "to will, wish, desire." It signifies conscious intention and a volitional choice, emphasizing personal will and decision in continuing or abandoning their discipleship.

• to go away (ὑπάγειν - hypagein): Meaning "to depart, withdraw, go." It's the same idea of leaving or abandoning one's previous association, echoing the action of the disciples who "turned back" (ἀπῆλθον - apēlthon) in verse 66, albeit using a slightly different verb to highlight the act of deliberate disassociation. It implies renouncing discipleship and following Jesus.

• "Do you also want to go away?": This full phrase is a sharp, penetrating question. It acts as a moment of truth, a direct challenge to the chosen twelve in the face of widespread defection. Jesus, in His omniscience, already knows the answer from some (Jn 6:70-71), but asks it to elicit a conscious, vocal commitment from the rest, solidifying their allegiance and separating them definitively from the faltering crowd. It highlights the costly nature of genuine discipleship and demands a deeper, faith-driven choice rather than a superficial following.

John 6 67 Bonus section

The directness of Jesus' question to the twelve underlines a key principle in spiritual leadership: a willingness to purge rather than dilute truth for popularity. His teaching had become a stumbling block, designed to sift out those whose motives were not aligned with God's will. The term "the twelve" specifically identifies the inner core, the future apostles, implying their pivotal role in establishing the church. Their response (through Peter in Jn 6:68-69) would determine the course of early Christian leadership, setting an example of loyal devotion even when the path is hard or unclear. This exchange ultimately underscores Jesus' divine sovereignty, His knowing of hearts, and His unflinching commitment to the profound spiritual nature of His mission, demanding absolute allegiance from those who claim to follow Him.

John 6 67 Commentary

John 6:67 serves as a poignant turning point in the ministry of Jesus. Faced with the abandonment of many "disciples" who could not accept the profound spiritual truths of the "Bread of Life" discourse, Jesus pivots from addressing the larger crowd to His intimate circle, "the twelve." This question is not a sign of His insecurity or lack of knowledge regarding their intentions; rather, it is a purposeful moment of winnowing and testing their conviction. By asking, "Do you also want to go away?", Jesus compels them to evaluate the foundation of their faith: were they drawn by miracles and physical provision, or by a deep, spiritual belief in Him as the Messiah and the giver of eternal life? The question forces a choice, laying bare the cost of discipleship and establishing that true following involves embracing even the difficult truths of Christ, irrespective of popular opinion or human understanding. It distinguishes between superficial adherence and a saving faith anchored in spiritual apprehension. This scene is critical in the narrative, revealing that Jesus is committed to truth, not crowds, and that His message, while offering life, often serves as a line of division.