John 6:60-61
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The word "hard" here doesn't mean difficult to understand, but difficult to accept or stomach. These followers found Jesus' words not intellectually challenging, but morally and emotionally repulsive, a statement they found offensive and could not bear to embrace.
Jesus has just delivered a challenging discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, explaining that true life comes from "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," which many misunderstood literally and found repulsive. This verse marks the immediate reaction, showing that a significant number of those who had followed him as disciples found his words so difficult and offensive that they questioned their ability to endure them. The passage immediately following reveals that this offense caused many to abandon Jesus entirely.
Jesus’ words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood were deeply challenging. But was the problem with the words, or with the listeners?
When Jesus spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John 6, many disciples found his words 'hard' (σκληρός). This Greek word can mean 'dry,' 'rough,' or 'harsh.' For these followers, the issue wasn't a failure of understanding the words' literal meaning, but a refusal to accept the implications.
The Offense of the Cross
Jesus points to a crucial distinction: the flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life. What does this mean for us today?
Jesus clarifies why the 'hard saying' caused such a reaction. He says, 'It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing.' This is not about a literal, physical consumption, but a spiritual reality.
Beyond the Physical
Understand the original words
mathētai · Greek Noun
A follower or learner of Jesus. While used broadly, it often highlights those who hear the teaching but may struggle to comprehend or accept the full implications of discipleship.
sklēros · Greek Adjective
A term describing Jesus' teaching as difficult, demanding, or offensive. It implies that the content challenges human comprehension or moral expectations, necessitating a radical shift in perspective.
mathētai · Greek Noun
A follower of Jesus; one who learns from Him, adheres to His teachings, and identifies with His person and mission. In the New Testament, this term encompasses both the inner circle of the twelve and broader groups of followers.
skandalizei · Greek Verb
This event highlights a critical moment where Jesus' radical teaching about his identity and the nature of salvation led to a significant sifting among his followers, separating those seeking spiritual sustenance from those desiring only physical provision or political change.
Early 1st Century AD
Jesus ministers in Judea
Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, attracting large crowds who are primarily interested in his miracles and provision of material needs.
Early to Mid 1st Century AD
Jesus withdraws to Galilee
Recognizing the superficiality of the crowds' interest, Jesus leaves Judea for Galilee to avoid being prematurely acclaimed as a political Messiah.
Mid 1st Century AD
Jesus feeds the 5,000
In Galilee, Jesus performs another significant miracle of feeding a large crowd, further increasing his popularity but also misunderstanding of his mission.
Mid 1st Century AD— this verse
Jesus teaches on the Bread of Life
Following the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus delivers a profound discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, identifying himself as the true spiritual bread from heaven.
This passage describes the message of the cross as foolishness to Gentiles and a stumbling block to Jews, directly paralleling the reaction of Jesus' disciples to His 'hard saying' in John 6:60.
Deuteronomy 18:15This Old Testament promise of a prophet like Moses, whom Israel should listen to, sets the stage for the expectation of a divine messenger, making the disciples' rejection of Jesus' difficult words a stark contrast to this divine instruction.
Matthew 7:26-27The parable of the foolish man who built his house on sand and its collapse after the rain is a powerful metaphor for those who hear Jesus' words but do not act on them, reflecting the spiritual failure of the disciples who found His teaching too hard to accept and build their lives upon.
Hebrews 4:12This verse describes God's word as 'living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,' highlighting how Jesus' words, though 'hard' to some, have the power to discern hearts and reveal true spiritual condition, just as they did for the disciples in John 6.
Acts 7:51Stephen's rebuke to the Israelites for being 'stubborn and uncircumcised in heart and ears' echoes the rejection Jesus faced from His own disciples, who, like their ancestors, were unwilling to truly listen to and accept divine truth when it challenged their understanding.
calvinJohn 6:59-64: "These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."
- He spoke these things in the synagogue. John points out the place, that we may know that there were many present, and likewise, that a sermon was delivered as on a weighty and important subject. But it immediately follows that out of so great a multitude there were scarcely to be found a very few who profited by it; and -- what is worse -- it proved to be the occasion of desertion to many who professed to be d…
expositorsJohn 6:60: "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?"
Chapter 15THE CRISIS IN GALILEE. “Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? But Jesus knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble? What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where He was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth n…
The word "hard" here doesn't mean difficult to understand, but difficult to accept or stomach. These followers found Jesus' words not intellectually challenging, but morally and emotionally repulsive, a statement they found offensive and could not bear to embrace.
Jesus has just delivered a challenging discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, explaining that true life comes from "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," which many misunderstood literally and found repulsive. This verse marks the immediate reaction, showing that a significant number of those who had followed him as disciples found his words so difficult and offensive that they questioned their ability to endure them. The passage immediately following reveals that this offense caused many to abandon Jesus entirely.
Jesus has just delivered a challenging discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, explaining that true life comes from "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," which many misunderstood literally and found repulsive. This verse marks the immediate reaction, showing that a significant number of those who had followed him as disciples found his words so difficult and offensive that they questioned their ability to endure them. The passage immediately following reveals that this offense caused many to abandon Jesus entirely.
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Jesus knew not everyone would stay. His words acted as a sifter, revealing true commitment versus superficial following.
The disciples' reaction in John 6:60 was a critical moment. It revealed that many who had followed Jesus were not truly committed to Him.
The Sifting Effect
In a biblical context, to stumble, to be scandalized, or to have one's faith hindered. It refers to a reaction of disbelief or rejection toward Jesus’ teaching or person, caused by an obstacle to one's expectations.
Mid 1st Century AD
Many disciples depart
The challenging nature of Jesus' teaching, particularly the literal interpretation of 'eating his flesh and drinking his blood,' causes many followers to abandon him.
"When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?" — The word "hard" here doesn't mean difficult to understand, but difficult to accept or stomach. These followers found Jesus' words not intellectually challenging, but morally and emotionally repul…
