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60 Even his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. Who can tell what he means?”

61 Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining and said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see me, the Messiah, return to heaven again? 63 Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life.[a] Those born only once, with physical birth, will never receive this gift. But now I have told you how to get this true spiritual life. 64 But some of you don’t believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn’t believe and knew the one who would betray him.)

65 And he remarked, “That is what I meant when I said that no one can come to me unless the Father attracts him to me.”

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you going too?”

68 Simon Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, 69 and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God.”

70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, and one is a devil.”

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Footnotes

  1. John 6:63 Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life, literally, “It is the Spirit who quickens.” with physical birth, literally, “the flesh profits nothing”; see 1:13.

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.

67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.(K)

68 Simon Peter answered him,(L) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.(M) 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”(N)

70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you,(O) the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. John 6:63 Or are Spirit; or are spirit