John 6 69

John 6:69 kjv

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 6:69 nkjv

Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

John 6:69 niv

We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."

John 6:69 esv

and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

John 6:69 nlt

We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. "

John 6 verses

John 6 69 Meaning

John 6:69 is a profound declaration of faith and conviction by Simon Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, in response to Jesus' challenging teachings that had caused many to desert Him. It succinctly states that they (the disciples who remained) have not only believed in Jesus but have also known experientially and deeply His true identity as the long-awaited Messiah (the Christ) and the unique Son of the living God. This verse encapsulates the essence of true discipleship: unwavering commitment and spiritual insight into Jesus' divine nature and messianic role.

John 6 69 Context

John 6:69 follows a pivotal and challenging discourse by Jesus known as the "Bread of Life" sermon, delivered in Capernaum. After miraculously feeding over five thousand people (Jn 6:1-15) and walking on water (Jn 6:16-21), Jesus uses these events as a springboard to teach about His spiritual sustenance. He declares Himself to be the "Bread of Life" and insists that people must "eat His flesh and drink His blood" to have eternal life (Jn 6:35, 53-56).

This teaching was deeply controversial and literalistically interpreted as shocking and cannibalistic by many. Consequently, many of Jesus' disciples—those who had been following Him (not just the Twelve)—grumbled and declared, "This statement is difficult; who can accept it?" (Jn 6:60). As a result, many of these followers turned away and no longer walked with Him (Jn 6:66).

In the face of this widespread defection, Jesus turns to the Twelve, asking them, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" (Jn 6:67). Peter's confession in verse 69, prefaced by his declaration in verse 68 ("Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life"), is the immediate and emphatic response. It marks the steadfast commitment of the inner circle to Jesus, even when His teachings were hard and many others chose to leave. It serves as a stark contrast between superficial following motivated by physical provision and true, enduring faith founded on spiritual truth.

John 6 69 Word analysis

• And we have believed (Καὶ ἡμεῖς πεπιστεύκαμεν, Kai hēmeis pepisteukamen):

  • And (Kai): Connects this confession directly to Jesus' previous question, highlighting it as the disciples' definitive response.
  • we (hēmeis): The pronoun is emphatic, distinguishing the loyal disciples from those who departed. Peter speaks for the group of Twelve who remain.
  • have believed (pepisteukamen): This is a perfect tense verb, indicating a past act of believing that has ongoing and abiding results. It denotes a settled, established faith and conviction, not just a momentary intellectual assent.

• and have known (καὶ ἐγνώκαμεν, kai egnōkamen):

  • and (kai): Links belief and knowledge, showing they are not separate but interconnected, a progression or deeper confirmation.
  • have known (egnōkamen): Also a perfect tense verb, signifying a settled and experienced knowledge. This isn't superficial information but an intimate, experiential, and divinely revealed understanding of Jesus' identity, acquired through their time with Him. It's the kind of "knowing" that comes from personal relationship and revelation, surpassing mere head knowledge.

• that you are the Christ, the Son (ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ Υἱὸς, hoti sy ei ho Christos ho Huios):

  • you (sy): This pronoun is emphatic in the Greek, pointing directly and exclusively to Jesus. It highlights His singular, incomparable identity.
  • the Christ (ho Christos): This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah), meaning "the Anointed One." It signifies Jesus' official role as the long-prophesied deliverer, king, and savior of Israel and the world. It encompasses all the Old Testament expectations for the Messiah.
  • the Son (ho Huios): Designates Jesus' unique divine relationship with God the Father, establishing His identity as eternally begotten and sharing the Father's nature. This goes beyond just being "anointed" for a role; it speaks to His intrinsic being.

• of the living God (τοῦ ζῶντος Θεοῦ, tou zōntos Theou):

  • the living God: This appellation frequently appears in both Old and New Testaments. It distinguishes the God of Israel from dead idols and false deities. He is dynamic, active, life-giving, and sovereign. By referring to Jesus as "the Son of the living God," Peter not only affirms Jesus' divine lineage but also links Him to the very source of all life and truth. This elevates Jesus above all human prophets or leaders to a realm of unparalleled divine authority.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "We have believed, and have known": This dual declaration speaks to a mature, solidified faith. It suggests that their belief (faith, trust) has ripened into a deep, certain knowledge, indicating not just an intellectual agreement but an internal, Spirit-illuminated conviction about who Jesus is. It contrasts sharply with those who "believed" for a time but fell away because they lacked this deeper knowing.
  • "the Christ, the Son of the living God": This comprehensive confession combines both Jesus' official, promised role as Messiah and His divine essence as God's unique Son. It asserts His unparalleled authority and nature. The Messianic title ("the Christ") fulfills Jewish expectations, while the divine title ("the Son of the living God") transcends mere human understanding, affirming His deity and relationship to the ultimate divine authority. This is a foundational confession for Christianity.

John 6 69 Bonus section

The specific timing of Peter's confession in John 6:69 adds significant weight to its meaning. Unlike Matthew's account (Mt 16:16), where Jesus initiates the question, here in John, it is a response to widespread defection and Jesus' own query to the Twelve (Jn 6:67). This makes Peter's affirmation a proactive statement of loyalty and unwavering conviction at a moment of crisis, underscoring the spiritual discernment and commitment of the true disciples against the backdrop of superficial followers leaving. This spontaneous confession is deeply impactful, showing that Peter, despite his later failures, already possessed a core understanding and loyalty that many lacked. It highlights that the choice to follow Jesus is often clearest when His teachings are most demanding, separating those who seek personal gain from those who grasp eternal truth.

John 6 69 Commentary

John 6:69 represents a crucial moment of allegiance and revelation within the Johannine narrative. Peter's confession, offered amidst mass defection, solidifies the loyalty of the Twelve and articulates a foundational truth of Christology. It’s more than just an affirmation of belief; it is a declaration of comprehensive knowledge that is experiential, firm, and rooted in the spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly is. The "we have believed and have known" speaks to an inner transformation where initial faith progresses to an assured understanding, distinguishing genuine discipleship from superficial following.

Peter identifies Jesus with two pivotal titles: "the Christ" (the promised Messiah) and "the Son of the living God." The first addresses Jewish messianic expectations, identifying Jesus as the one sent by God to fulfill His promises. The second transcends earthly expectations, affirming Jesus' unique, eternal divine nature and relationship with God the Father, who is inherently dynamic and the source of all life. This confession is not based on popular opinion or visible signs alone, but on the profound realization of Jesus' words providing "eternal life" (Jn 6:68), leading to an unwavering acceptance of His identity even when His teachings were challenging. This verse calls believers to a faith that persists through difficulty, founded on the firm knowledge of Jesus' true identity.