John 6:68 kjv
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:68 nkjv
But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:68 niv
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:68 esv
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
John 6:68 nlt
Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
John 6 68 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Jesus as the sole way to salvation. |
| Acts 4:12 | Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven... given to mankind by which we must be saved. | Exclusivity of salvation through Christ. |
| Mt 16:16 | Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." | Peter's confession of Jesus' divine identity. |
| Mk 8:29 | "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." | Peter's declaration of Christ's identity. |
| Lk 9:20 | He asked them, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." | Peter's recognition of Jesus as God's Anointed. |
| Jn 5:24 | Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life... | Hearing Jesus' word leads to eternal life. |
| Jn 3:16 | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. | Believing in Christ gives eternal life. |
| Jn 17:3 | Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. | Eternal life as knowing God and Jesus. |
| 1 Jn 5:11 | And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | Eternal life found only in Jesus. |
| Jn 12:50 | I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. | Jesus' words lead to eternal life. |
| Dt 8:3 | ...man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. | Spiritual nourishment from God's word. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. | God's word guiding and illuminating. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is alive and active... it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow... | God's word as living and powerful. |
| Jer 15:16 | When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty. | Internalizing God's words brings joy. |
| 1 Pt 1:23 | For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. | Rebirth through God's living word. |
| Lk 9:62 | Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." | Commitment required for discipleship. |
| Heb 3:12 | See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. | Warning against turning away from God. |
| Jn 15:4 | Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine... | Abiding in Christ to bear fruit. |
| Jn 6:66 | From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. | The immediate context of desertion. |
| Jn 6:67 | "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. | Jesus' question leading to Peter's response. |
John 6 verses
John 6 68 Meaning
John 6:68 encapsulates Peter's definitive response to Jesus, following a significant exodus of disciples who found His teachings too challenging. It affirms the apostles' conviction that Jesus alone possesses the divine words that bestow eternal life, acknowledging that there is no other true source of spiritual salvation or ultimate truth. This verse highlights the unparalleled and unique nature of Christ's identity and His message.
John 6 68 Context
John chapter 6 is primarily known for Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse, which followed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. In this discourse, Jesus declared Himself to be the true bread from heaven, contrasting Himself with the manna that nourished the Israelites in the wilderness. He asserted that eternal life is found through "eating His flesh and drinking His blood" – a concept that spiritually signified full appropriation and belief in Him and His atoning sacrifice. This teaching was deeply offensive and difficult for many listeners, who interpreted it literally and were unable to grasp its spiritual significance. As a result, many of Jesus' disciples chose to abandon Him (John 6:66). Faced with this widespread defection, Jesus turned to the Twelve, asking if they also intended to leave (John 6:67). It is in direct response to this pivotal question, and against the backdrop of significant spiritual winnowing, that Peter utters John 6:68, signifying a critical moment of faithful adherence amidst widespread abandonment. The historical context reflects a Jewish audience struggling with a spiritual Messiah, desiring a political one, and finding Jesus' words unorthodox.
John 6 68 Word analysis
- Lord (Greek: Kyrios): A title of high respect and reverence, indicating recognition of Jesus' authority and divinity. It reflects an acknowledgement of His position as master or supreme ruler, implying a relationship of submission and obedience from the speaker.
- to whom: Not merely asking "where," but "to what person," emphasizing that only Jesus is the desired and viable option. It denotes a question seeking an alternative leader or source, yet immediately concluding there is none.
- shall we go? (Greek: aperchometha): Implies seeking another source or destination for truth, purpose, or guidance. The phrasing suggests a rhetorical question, acknowledging the futility of seeking alternatives to Jesus.
- You (Greek: sy): Emphatic in the Greek, pointing uniquely and singularly to Jesus. It highlights His distinctiveness and irreplaceable role as the sole possessor of what is truly needed.
- have (Greek: echeis): Denotes possession, holding, or containing. Jesus doesn't just know about eternal life, He possesses and dispenses its source through His words.
- words (Greek: rhemata): Distinct from logos (which implies the inherent logic, reason, or total divine plan), rhema often refers to spoken words, individual utterances, or the active, dynamic expression of truth. Here, it signifies living, powerful, and effective declarations from God that directly impact life.
- of eternal life (Greek: zoe aionios): Refers to a quality of life, not merely endless existence. It is God's own divine life, full of richness, purpose, and relationship with God, beginning now and extending infinitely into the future. It is the defining characteristic and the profound power of Jesus’ words.
Words-group analysis
- "Lord, to whom shall we go?": This phrase is a powerful rhetorical question. It's not a genuine query seeking options, but an emphatic declaration that there are no alternatives for true spiritual sustenance and direction. It reveals Peter's conviction that leaving Jesus would mean abandoning any hope of ultimate truth or life. This implicitly acknowledges Jesus' uniqueness among all other teachers or spiritual paths.
- "You have words of eternal life.": This directly contrasts Jesus' teachings with the "hard sayings" that caused others to leave. It means Jesus' teachings are not mere intellectual propositions but active, spirit-imbued words that impart a divine, everlasting quality of life. The "words" (rhema) are efficacious and directly lead to salvation and union with God, differentiating Jesus' teaching from any philosophical system or legal code of the day.
John 6 68 Bonus section
The spiritual blindness or resistance of the "many disciples" who departed is contrasted with Peter's divine insight. While they were focused on physical bread or a literal understanding that led them astray, Peter's confession highlights a fundamental spiritual truth that Jesus' words, though sometimes difficult to comprehend, were utterly essential for genuine life. This points to the need for a spiritual awakening and a divine drawing by the Father (Jn 6:44, 65) for one to truly accept and remain with Jesus, recognizing the living power in His rhema. The passage thus reinforces that authentic discipleship requires not only understanding but also a deep, abiding conviction that bypasses superficial intellectual agreement.
John 6 68 Commentary
John 6:68 stands as a profound declaration of allegiance and a theological cornerstone within the Gospel. Peter's statement marks a moment of clarity and unwavering commitment from the core disciples, specifically contrasted with the multitude who turned away. Despite likely not fully grasping the deeper meaning of "eating flesh and drinking blood," Peter, inspired by the Father (as seen in Matt 16:17), recognizes Jesus as the sole source of ultimate spiritual truth and life. He perceives that true life is not found in seeking alternatives, no matter how difficult Jesus' current teaching may be. The phrase "words of eternal life" points to the inherent power and efficacy of Jesus' teachings and His very being to impart saving life. It signifies that His revelation is not just information but is divinely infused, life-giving, and uniquely sufficient for salvation and relationship with God. This verse therefore underscores the exclusivity of Christ as the unique Redeemer and the critical nature of responding in faith, even when understanding is incomplete.