⁵³ So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man^(A) and drink his blood,^(B) you do not have life in yourselves. ⁵⁴ The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood^(C) has eternal life, and I will raise^(D) him up on the last day, ⁵⁵ because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.^{(E) 57} Just as the living^(F) Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live^(G) because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna^[a] your ancestors ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”^(H)

⁵⁹ He said these things while teaching in the synagogue^(I) in Capernaum.^(J)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept^[b] it?”

⁶¹ Jesus, knowing in himself^(K) that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man^(L) ascending^(M) to where he was before? ⁶³ The Spirit^(N) is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning^(O) those who did not^[c] believe and the one who would betray^(P) him.) ⁶⁵ He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me^(Q) unless it is granted to him by the Father.”

⁶⁶ From that moment^[d] many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. ⁶⁷ So Jesus said to the Twelve,^(R) “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

⁶⁸ Simon Peter^(S) answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”^[e](T)

⁶ So then, just as you have received^(A) Christ Jesus as Lord,^(B) continue to walk in him, ⁷ being rooted and built up in him^(C) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,^(D) and overflowing with gratitude.

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,^(E) based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.^{(F) 9} For the entire fullness^(G) of God’s nature dwells bodily^[a] in Christ, ¹⁰ and you have been filled by him, who is the head^(H) over every ruler and authority.