John 6 70

John 6:70 kjv

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

John 6:70 nkjv

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"

John 6:70 niv

Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"

John 6:70 esv

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."

John 6:70 nlt

Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil."

John 6 verses

John 6 70 Meaning

John 6:70 reveals Jesus' omniscient awareness of the spiritual state of His disciples, specifically that one of His specially chosen inner circle, "the Twelve," was a betrayer under the influence of Satan. Despite His sovereign selection of all twelve, Jesus prophetically declared the coming betrayal, highlighting the tension between divine foreknowledge and individual human responsibility for wickedness.

John 6 70 Context

John chapter 6 begins with the miraculous feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water, leading to a discourse on Himself as the "Bread of Life." This challenging teaching about spiritually consuming His flesh and blood caused many disciples to turn away, finding His words too difficult (John 6:60-66). When Jesus asks the Twelve if they too would leave, Peter responds with a fervent confession of faith, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-69). Immediately following Peter's declaration of unwavering loyalty from the core group, Jesus delivers the surprising and somber truth of John 6:70, foreshadowing the impending betrayal and demonstrating His comprehensive foresight even within the chosen circle.

Historically and culturally, the number "Twelve" held deep significance, echoing the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus' selection of twelve apostles indicated His intention to establish a new covenant community, a spiritual Israel, under new leadership. The idea that one chosen from this highly symbolic, foundational group could be corrupted struck at the heart of their understanding of the Messiah's company and highlighted Jesus' profound and unsettling insight into human hearts, even those closest to Him.

John 6 70 Word analysis

• Jesus answered them: Demonstrates Jesus' response to Peter's declaration of faith. It shows His full awareness of their true spiritual state.

• 'Did I not choose you (Οὐκ ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐξελεξάμην, Ouk egō humas exelexamēn), the Twelve':

  • Οὐκ (Ouk): A negative particle anticipating an affirmative answer. It functions as a rhetorical question, meaning "Surely I did choose you, did I not?"
  • ἐγὼ (egō): Emphatic first-person singular pronoun. Highlights Jesus' personal agency and sovereign act of selection.
  • ὑμᾶς (humas): "You (all)." Refers to the collective group of disciples present, specifically the Twelve.
  • ἐξελεξάμην (exelexamēn): "I chose" or "I have chosen." From eklegomai, signifying a deliberate and purposeful divine selection for a specific task or relationship. It underscores that their inclusion in the inner circle was not their initiative but His grace.
  • the Twelve (τοὺς δώδεκα, tous dōdeka): Refers to the specific, designated group of apostles. This number is symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating their foundational role in the new covenant community. Jesus' choice of them was for a special, weighty mission.

• 'and yet one of you is a devil (εἷς διάβολός ἐστιν, heis diabolos estin)?':

  • καὶ (kai): Translated as "and yet" or "but," indicating a sharp, contrasting truth to the previous affirmation. It expresses a paradox.
  • εἷς (heis): "One." Points to an individual, emphasizing the singleness of the betrayal from within the core group.
  • διάβολός (diabolos): "Devil" or "slanderer," "accuser." This is a profoundly strong term. While primarily referring to Satan (e.g., Matt 4:1), when applied to a person, it means one whose actions and character align with Satan's objectives – an adversary, a false accuser, one engaged in malicious opposition to God's work. Judas, by his betrayal, would embody the very essence of Satan's deceit and malice against Christ. It doesn't necessarily mean he was possessed at this moment, but his disposition and destiny were aligned with the "devil's" purposes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • 'Did I not choose you, the Twelve...': This phrase highlights God's sovereign and gracious election, establishing the foundational authority of the apostles. It underscores Jesus' personal selection for a sacred purpose, yet it is framed as a rhetorical question, confirming the fact of His choice.
  • '...and yet one of you is a devil?': This powerfully contrasts divine election with individual apostasy. The conjunction "yet" signifies the shock and incongruity of such evil from within a chosen group. Applying "devil" to a human shows the ultimate culmination of a life turning against divine purpose, aligning with evil itself, even if initially chosen. It reveals Jesus' complete omniscience of hearts.

John 6 70 Bonus section

This verse emphasizes Jesus' divine omniscience not merely about future events but also about the inner character of His followers, even before their choices fully manifest. He knew from the outset of their relationship who would believe and who would betray, yet He still chose and ministered to Judas Iscariot as part of the Twelve. This indicates that divine foreknowledge does not necessitate divine predetermination of individual sin; rather, God knows the free choices of individuals and integrates them into His sovereign plan without compelling them. It presents a vital theological challenge that highlights God's complete control and human freedom in parallel. Moreover, Jesus' choosing of Judas underscores a divine purpose for the cross (cf. Acts 2:23), as the betrayal was necessary for the fulfillment of prophecies and the ultimate redemption.

John 6 70 Commentary

John 6:70 stands as a poignant and jarring declaration amidst Peter's recent confession of faith, revealing the complexity of Jesus' mission and the human heart. Jesus, with His divine foresight, publicly confirms His choice of the twelve apostles while simultaneously exposing the spiritual darkness of one of them. This is not a retraction of His divine selection, but a stark affirmation of His omniscient awareness from "the beginning" (John 6:64) that one, Judas Iscariot, would become a tool of Satan, embodying the characteristics of a diabolos (adversary/slanderer).

The tension here is profound: God's sovereign choice (Jesus chose them) does not negate individual human responsibility and will to embrace or reject His call. Judas, though chosen to be part of the most intimate circle and witness countless miracles and teachings, eventually chose to serve a different master. Jesus' statement also serves as an important lesson for disciples throughout history, warning that outward association with Christ and His chosen body does not automatically guarantee inner purity or loyalty. It prefigures the reality of "wheat and tares" coexisting until the harvest.