John 6:56-69

New International Reader's Version

⁵⁶ Anyone who eats my body and drinks my blood remains in me. And I remain in them. ⁵⁷ The living Father sent me, and I live because of him. In the same way, those who feed on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Long ago your people ate manna and died. But whoever eats this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹ He said this while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Leave Jesus

⁶⁰ Jesus’ disciples heard this. Many of them said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

⁶¹ Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining about his teaching. So he said to them, “Does this upset you? ⁶² Then what if you see the Son of Man go up to where he was before? ⁶³ The Holy Spirit gives life. The body means nothing at all. The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit. They give life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe. And he had known who was going to hand him over to his enemies. ⁶⁵ So he continued speaking. He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father helps them.”

⁶⁶ From this time on, many of his disciples turned back. They no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You don’t want to leave also, do you?” Jesus asked the 12 disciples.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, who can we go to? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”