⁴⁷ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.^{(A) 48} I am the bread of life.^{(B) 49} Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.^{(C) 50} But here is the bread that comes down from heaven,^(D) which anyone may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread^(E) that came down from heaven.^(F) Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”^(G)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples^(A) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”^(B)

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?^{(C) 62} Then what if you see the Son of Man^(D) ascend to where he was before!^{(E) 63} The Spirit gives life;^(F) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known^(G) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.^{(H) 65} He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”^(I)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples^(J) turned back and no longer followed him.