John 6 71

John 6:71 kjv

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

John 6:71 nkjv

He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

John 6:71 niv

(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

John 6:71 esv

He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

John 6:71 nlt

He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

John 6 verses

John 6 71 Meaning

John 6:71 provides a clarifying and somber revelation, specifically identifying Judas Iscariot as the disciple who Jesus had earlier referred to as "a devil" and who would ultimately betray Him. This verse underscores Jesus's divine foreknowledge of future events and the true heart condition of His disciples, even one among His closest chosen twelve, highlighting the profound tragedy of betrayal from within His intimate circle.

John 6 71 Context

John chapter 6 primarily focuses on Jesus's miraculous feeding of the five thousand and the subsequent "Bread of Life" discourse. Following these events, many who had initially followed Jesus because of His miracles became disillusioned by His challenging spiritual teachings, particularly His assertion that He was the "bread of life" and that one must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. This led to a mass defection (John 6:66), where many disciples "turned back and no longer walked with Him." In response to the Twelve, Jesus questioned if they too would leave. Peter famously affirmed their commitment, but Jesus, understanding the spiritual state of all, then made the poignant statement in John 6:70 that though He chose the twelve, "one of you is a devil." Verse 71 immediately follows to clarify precisely who He was referring to, explicitly naming Judas Iscariot as the future betrayer, setting a foreboding tone for the Passion narrative. This declaration highlights the sharp contrast between outward appearance and inward reality, between genuine faith and profound spiritual corruption, and illustrates the reality that even within the most privileged proximity to Christ, a heart can remain unbelieving and be swayed by darkness.

John 6 71 Word analysis

• He was speaking (ἔλεγεν, eleged): The imperfect tense here indicates a continuous or ongoing state, suggesting Jesus knew this truth for a considerable time or was consistently referring to the inherent corruption He perceived. It underscores His unwavering and comprehensive awareness.
• of Judas Iscariot (Ἰούδαν Ἰσκαριώτην, Ioudan Iskariotēn): "Judas" (derived from Judah) was a common name. "Iscariot" distinguishes him. While its exact etymology is debated, the most widely accepted view is "man of Kerioth," a town in Judea, possibly indicating his geographical origin and distinguishing him as the sole Judean among the predominantly Galilean disciples. Other theories include "sicarius" (dagger-man) or linking him to a craft. The name firmly fixes his identity as the particular betrayer.
• the son of Simon: This patronymic further distinguishes him, for example, from Judas Thaddeus or other Simons associated with Jesus. It's a precise identification, making clear there's no ambiguity about the individual in question.
• for he, one of the twelve (εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, heis ek tōn dōdeka): This phrase highlights the tragedy. Judas was not an outsider, but a privileged member of the inner circle chosen by Jesus, bearing the title of "apostle" (Matt 10:4). "The twelve" represent the symbolic core of the new Israel. His betrayal thus carries immense weight and signifies treachery from within the deepest bonds of trust.
• was going to betray him (παραδώσειν, paradōsein): This is a future infinitive. The verb paradōsein can mean "to hand over," "to deliver," or in this context, "to betray." The future tense signifies the certainty and inevitability of the event as foreknown by Jesus and orchestrated within God's sovereign plan, while still recognizing Judas's personal culpability and sinful choice. It implies a premeditated act of treachery.
• He was speaking... one of the twelve, was going to betray him: This larger phrase group emphasizes Jesus's omniscient knowledge, not just of Judas's identity, but also of his destined act. He knew "from the beginning" (Jn 6:64) the true heart of Judas, yet He included him among the apostles. This sets a powerful tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

John 6 71 Bonus section

• The clarity with which John names Judas here, even before the betrayal has occurred, contrasts slightly with the Synoptic Gospels where the specific naming of the betrayer by Jesus often occurs closer to the Passion events (e.g., at the Last Supper). John’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus's divine knowledge throughout His ministry.
• The concept of "betrayal from within" (a "friend who shared my bread") is a theme echoed from the Old Testament (Psa 41:9) and underscores the depth of this personal offense. For an inner circle member to hand someone over to authorities for death was a shocking act of perfidy.
• While John details Judas's greed (Jn 12:6), the larger motivation for his treachery remains complex, perhaps encompassing disillusionment with Jesus's non-political Messiahship, personal resentment, or Satanic influence (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:2). However, Jesus's words here pin it on an intrinsic spiritual corruption—"a devil"—rather than purely external pressures.
• This verse initiates a thematic thread in John that culminates in Jesus being "handed over" to death (Jn 19:11). The same Greek root verb (paradidomi) is used to describe Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities, and also Pontius Pilate handing Jesus over to be crucified. This linguistic connection reinforces the interconnectedness of Judas's act within God's greater plan.

John 6 71 Commentary

John 6:71 acts as a powerful clarifying note, peeling back the layers of a deeply painful truth. It transforms Jesus's abstract statement about a "devil" among the twelve into a concrete identification, setting the stage for the climactic act of betrayal. By naming Judas Iscariot and emphasizing his status as "one of the twelve," the verse highlights the ultimate tragic irony: the closest proximity to the divine presence does not automatically purify a hardened heart. Judas heard Jesus's teachings, witnessed His miracles, and was granted authority alongside the other disciples (Matt 10:1). Yet, his heart remained unconvinced and ultimately succumbed to the influences of darkness and greed (Jn 12:6). Jesus's foreknowledge, revealed here, doesn't diminish Judas's moral responsibility; rather, it underscores Christ's sovereignty over all events, even those carried out by human evil, allowing for the fulfillment of prophecy and God's redemptive plan through the cross. This verse stands as a perennial warning against superficial discipleship and the ever-present danger of an unfaithful heart, even when cloaked in religious service.