But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just state that some don't believe; he emphasizes that some of you are among this group, pointing out the subtle but crucial difference between a general crowd and the specific individuals within his inner circle who wouldn't truly follow. Furthermore, his foreknowledge wasn't merely about knowing future events, but about understanding the deep-seated unbelief and the ultimate betrayal that lay hidden within certain hearts from the very start of their time with him.
But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' intense teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which many disciples found difficult and even scandalous, Jesus reveals the deep division within the group. He declares that while He knows the hearts of all, some present, even among those who had been following Him, did not truly believe. This statement highlights Jesus' divine knowledge, knowing from the very start of their discipleship who would ultimately reject Him and who, specifically, would betray Him.
Jesus drops a bombshell: not everyone following Him actually believes. How can this be, and what does it reveal about authentic faith?
In John 6, Jesus has just delivered some of the most challenging teaching in Scripture, talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The crowd's reaction is drastic – many turn back (John 6:66). Jesus' statement, "But there are some of you who do not believe," isn't a surprise to Him. It highlights that following Jesus isn't just about physical presence or outward actions; it requires genuine, internal belief.
Jesus knew from the very beginning who would betray Him. What does this profound insight tell us about His divine nature and His understanding of human choices?
Ask a follow-up
The second part of the verse reveals a staggering truth: "For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him." This wasn't a last-minute realization; it was a foundational knowledge.
Understand the original words
pisteuousin · Greek Verb
Firm persuasion, trust, and reliance on God or Jesus Christ. It is not merely intellectual agreement but an active, life-changing commitment and surrender to the Truth of the Gospel.
paradōsōn · Greek Verb
To deliver someone into the hands of enemies through treachery. In Scripture, it highlights the violation of a bond of trust and refers specifically to Judas Iscariot’s act against Jesus.
This moment highlights a crucial turning point in Jesus' ministry. While many followed him for miraculous signs or earthly benefits, the profound spiritual truths he spoke exposed the superficiality of their faith, leading to a great falling away and revealing the deep-seated opposition Jesus faced even among his own followers.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus starts teaching, performing miracles, and calling disciples, drawing a crowd of followers.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus teaches in the synagogue
During a sermon in the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus speaks about his unique relationship with God and the necessity of spiritual understanding, causing many to leave.
c. AD 28
Many disciples depart
Hearing Jesus' challenging words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many who had followed him leave, finding his teaching too difficult.
c. AD 28
Jesus questions the Twelve
Jesus confronts the remaining twelve disciples, asking if they too will leave, highlighting the critical nature of true belief versus superficial following.
c. AD 28
Judas identified as betrayer
Jesus reveals his foreknowledge of Judas's impending betrayal, underscoring that this was known from the outset of his ministry and Judas's discipleship.
This passage describes God promising to raise up a prophet like Moses, and that obedience to this prophet would be essential for life, paralleling Jesus' teaching here where those who don't believe in Him are cut off from life.
Psalm 78:70-72This psalm describes God choosing David to shepherd His people, not because of his own merit, but from His own purpose. This highlights the sovereign choice of God in leadership and guidance, relevant to Jesus' awareness of who would betray Him despite outward association.
1 Samuel 16:7Here, God tells Samuel not to look at outward appearance but to the heart, as God sees the heart. This directly relates to Jesus' knowing from the beginning who truly believed and who would betray Him, seeing beyond outward profession.
Matthew 7:21-23Jesus states that not everyone who calls Him 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom, but only those who do God's will. This passage echoes John 6:64 by showing that outward association and even miraculous works don't guarantee true belief or salvation.
Acts 1:25In choosing a replacement for Judas, the apostles pray for God to show who among the chosen men was designated for the apostolic office. This reflects the divine foreknowledge and choice, similar to Jesus' awareness of Judas's future betrayal.
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…
cambridgeJohn 6:64: "But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him."
64 . some of you that believe not ] There were some of those who followed Him and called themselves His disciples, who still did not believe on Him. The better order is, there are of you some . knew from the beginning ] It is impossible to fix the exact limits of this; the meaning of ‘the beginning’ must depend on the context (see on John 1:1 ).…
Jesus doesn't just state that some don't believe; he emphasizes that some of you are among this group, pointing out the subtle but crucial difference between a general crowd and the specific individuals within his inner circle who wouldn't truly follow. Furthermore, his foreknowledge wasn't merely about knowing future events, but about understanding the deep-seated unbelief and the ultimate betrayal that lay hidden within certain hearts from the very start of their time with him.
Following Jesus' intense teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which many disciples found difficult and even scandalous, Jesus reveals the deep division within the group. He declares that while He knows the hearts of all, some present, even among those who had been following Him, did not truly believe. This statement highlights Jesus' divine knowledge, knowing from the very start of their discipleship who would ultimately reject Him and who, specifically, would betray Him.
Following Jesus' intense teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which many disciples found difficult and even scandalous, Jesus reveals the deep division within the group. He declares that while He knows the hearts of all, some present, even among those who had been following Him, did not truly believe. This statement highlights Jesus' divine knowledge, knowing from the very start of their discipleship who would ultimately reject Him and who, specifically, would betray Him.
"But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)" — Jesus doesn't just state that some don't believe; he emphasizes that some of you are among this group, pointing out the subtle but crucial difference between a general crowd and the specific indivi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026