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 70 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 6:70 | "Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the twelve?...'" | John 6:70 |
| Matthew 10:1 | "Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority..." | Matt 10:1 |
| Luke 6:13 | "And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles..." | Luke 6:13 |
| Acts 1:17 | "for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." | Acts 1:17 |
| John 13:27 | "Then, after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him." | John 13:27 |
| John 17:12 | "While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I guarded them, and none of them was lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." | John 17:12 |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | "But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”" | 1 Sam 16:7 |
| Jeremiah 17:10 | "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”" | Jer 17:10 |
| Psalm 50:15 | "and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”" | Psalm 50:15 |
| Psalm 7:15 | "He makes a pit and digs it, and falls into the ditch that he has made." | Psalm 7:15 |
| Psalm 41:9 | "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." | Psalm 41:9 |
| Matthew 26:24 | "The Son of Man is to go as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”" | Matt 26:24 |
| Mark 14:21 | "The Son of Man goes on as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”" | Mark 14:21 |
| John 12:4-6 | "Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples he who was about to betray him said, 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it." | John 12:4-6 |
| 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread..." | 1 Cor 11:23-26 |
| Romans 9:16 | "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." | Rom 9:16 |
| Ephesians 1:4 | "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." | Eph 1:4 |
| Hebrews 12:15 | "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled..." | Heb 12:15 |
| Revelation 13:8 | "and by all who dwell on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain." | Rev 13:8 |
| John 15:16 | "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide..." | John 15:16 |
| 2 Timothy 2:19 | "Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord departs from iniquity.”" | 2 Tim 2:19 |
John 6 verses
John 6 70 Meaning
Jesus spoke about selecting twelve, and yet one of them was a devil. This highlights the reality of spiritual deception within even close fellowship, and the discernment needed to identify those who operate with contrary motives.
John 6 70 Context
In John chapter 6, Jesus has just performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand, and then walked on water. Following these signs, many of his followers find his teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood difficult to accept, and many turn away from him (John 6:66). It is in this context of dwindling disciples that Jesus addresses the remaining twelve, knowing the heart of Judas Iscariot. This verse is spoken in response to the previous defection of many followers, highlighting Jesus' foreknowledge of their lack of true commitment, while simultaneously acknowledging the betrayal within his inner circle.
John 6 70 Word Analysis
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The central figure, the Son of God.
- answered (ἀπεκρίθη - apekrithe): Responded.
- them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Addressing the twelve disciples.
- Have I (ἐγὼ -- egō): Emphatic pronoun.
- not (οὐχί -- ouci): Negative.
- chosen (ἐξελεξάμην -- exelexamēn): Selected, elected from the broader group. This verb implies a deliberate selection for a specific purpose.
- you (ὑμᾶς -- hymas): The twelve.
- the twelve (τοὺς δώδεκα -- tous dōdeka): Specifically refers to the core group of apostles.
- and (καί -- kai): Conjunction.
- yet (ἀλλά -- alla): Yet, but. Introduces a contrasting idea.
- one (εἷς -- heis): Singular.
- of you (ἐξ ὑμῶν -- ex hymōn): From among the twelve.
- is (ἐστιν -- estin): Verb 'to be'.
- a devil (διάβολος -- diabolos): Accuser, slanderer, adversary. Here, it refers to someone acting in opposition to God's will, possessed by or aligned with Satan. This term is directly linked to Satan.
John 6 70 Bonus Section
The Greek word translated "devil" (διάβολος - diabolos) literally means "accuser" or "slanderer." This aligns with the character and actions of Satan, who accuses believers before God (Revelation 12:10). In this context, it is applied to Judas, indicating his role as an agent of Satan's opposition to Jesus and His mission. This parallels how Jesus refers to Peter as Satan in Matthew 16:23 when Peter attempts to dissuade Him from His path to the cross, highlighting instances where a person acts as an instrument for satanic purposes, even if temporarily. Jesus' choice was not a mistake but part of the unfolding divine plan, as evidenced by the prophecy that "the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed" (Matthew 26:24). The term "son of destruction" (υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας - huios tēs apōleias) used in John 17:12 further emphasizes Judas's ultimate fate due to his betrayal, a title that echoes the final doom reserved for those who reject God.
John 6 70 Commentary
Jesus’ words in this verse are profoundly insightful. He acknowledges that despite his divine selection of the twelve, this outward action did not guarantee inward loyalty or purity of heart. The choice was made by Jesus, according to His perfect knowledge and purpose. However, this choice extended to include one who was essentially a betrayer, a "devil." This reflects God's sovereign election which operates according to His own counsel, not based on human merit. It serves as a stark reminder that even within the most sacred company, the reality of deception and spiritual opposition can exist. Jesus knew precisely who would betray Him, as highlighted in other passages, underscoring His omniscience. This statement also serves as a lesson on discernment for the disciples, teaching them that outward association does not always equate to genuine faith and faithfulness. The selection was for apostleship, but the heart of Judas was far from the heart of God, allowing "the devil" (Satan) to influence his actions.