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

Jesus was aware from the beginning who the betrayer was, indicating His divine omniscience and predetermined knowledge of Judas's apostasy.

John 6 71 Context

This verse concludes John chapter 6, a chapter rich with theological discussions initiated by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus reveals His divine nature through walking on water, equating Himself with the Bread of Life, and emphasizing the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. These teachings cause many disciples to leave Him. In response to this rejection and questioning, Jesus reiterates His divine knowledge and then pronounces judgment upon Judas Iscariot, identifying him as the one who would betray Him. This sets the stage for the ensuing betrayal and the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus' mission.

John 6 71 Word analysis

• Jesus: The Messiah, the Son of God, whose divine nature comprehends all things, including future events and human intentions. His identity as God Incarnate means He possesses inherent, perfect knowledge.
• knew: (Greek: ᾔδει - ēdei) This is the imperfect tense of the verb "eido" (to know, to see, to understand). The imperfect tense denotes continuous or ongoing action in the past, emphasizing that Jesus possessed this knowledge continuously and not just at a single moment. It signifies an intrinsic and inherent awareness.
• from the beginning: (Greek: ἐξ ἀρχῆς - ex archēs) This phrase signifies from the origin or commencement. For Jesus, this "beginning" likely refers to the commencement of His earthly ministry, or even His pre-incarnate existence as the eternal Word of God. It highlights His foreknowledge predating Judas's act. This aligns with concepts of predestination and divine sovereignty found throughout scripture.
• who: (Greek: τίνες - tines) Plural pronoun. While the immediate reference is to Judas, the preceding verse 6:64 uses the singular ("who it is") implying a specific individual. Here, by referring to "who," it suggests Jesus saw Judas not just as an individual but as part of a larger spiritual reality or rebellion against God.
• they: (Greek: αὐτῶν - autōn) Genitive plural pronoun, "of them." Referring back to the disciples, specifically those who "walked with him" but did not believe. The context shifts from the general group of those who left Him to the specific identification of the betrayer from within His chosen circle.
• were: (Greek: ἦσαν - ēsan) Imperfect tense of "eimi" (to be). Again, the imperfect tense suggests a continuous state of being or characteristic. Their "not believing" was an ongoing disposition that Jesus was aware of from the start.
• that: (Greek: οἳ - hoi) Relative pronoun.
• should: (Greek: δὲν - den) Auxiliary verb indicating a future action or intention.
• betray: (Greek: παραδώσει - paradōsei) Future tense of "paradidōmi" (to hand over, to deliver up). This verb carries a strong connotation of betrayal and treachery, especially in this context. It signifies Judas's willful act of delivering Jesus to His enemies.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that should betray": This collective phrase underscores Jesus' absolute, all-encompassing knowledge. It’s not merely a prediction but a deep, foundational understanding of the character and destiny of those around Him. His knowledge wasn't acquired but inherent, existing from His divine inception. This speaks to His omniscience and sovereignty over all human actions, including the betrayal that would lead to His crucifixion and redemption. It parallels His understanding of who would ultimately follow Him and who would reject Him.

John 6 71 Bonus section

The phrasing "from the beginning" also resonates with Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 46:9-10 speaks of God declaring "the end from the beginning," highlighting His all-knowing and sovereign nature that encompasses all time. This verse in John 6 is a specific manifestation of that divine attribute, showing that Christ, as God, operates with such knowledge. It reinforces the understanding of Jesus' deity and His conscious participation in the divine plan of redemption from its inception. The foreknowledge of Judas's betrayal also serves to emphasize the voluntary nature of Jesus' submission to the cross. He was not caught unawares; He willingly went to the cross, knowing who would deliver Him.

John 6 71 Commentary

Jesus' declaration here is profound, revealing His divine insight into the hearts and actions of men, specifically identifying Judas Iscariot as the betrayer even before the act. This wasn't a mere prediction but a statement rooted in His omniscience. It demonstrates that while Judas made a choice, his action was also within God's foreknown plan for salvation. This foreknowledge doesn't negate human responsibility, but places it within the context of divine purpose. For believers, it is a reminder of Christ's sovereign control over all events and His deep knowledge of those who follow Him, even in their weaknesses and failings.

• Even when Jesus felt abandoned by many followers, He remained aware of the specific circumstances and individuals involved.
• Judas's betrayal, though a horrific act of human failing, was also a known factor in God's plan for the atonement of sins.