John 6:66
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is that the phrase "went back" isn't just about leaving, but specifically about turning away from Christ and returning to where they were before they followed Him. They didn't just stop walking with Him; they actively reverted to their former way of life, discarding the spiritual path they had briefly embraced.
Jesus had just delivered a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, which many misunderstood and found deeply disturbing. As a direct result of this difficult discourse, a significant number of his followers turned away from him, no longer choosing to walk with him. This event immediately precedes Jesus asking his twelve closest disciples if they, too, intended to leave.
What happens when Jesus’ words aren't easy to hear, and disciples start to walk away? This verse marks a turning point.
John 6 presents a powerful, yet challenging, teaching from Jesus about his identity as the Bread of Life, a teaching that divides. Many disciples, who had previously followed him, found his words too hard to accept. They weren't looking for spiritual sustenance; they were looking for a king who would feed them and meet their earthly needs. When Jesus revealed the true nature of his kingdom and his relationship with the Father, their earthly hopes were dashed.
'Went back': The Greek here suggests not just leaving, but turning back towards what they had abandoned to follow Jesus. They returned to their old ways, their worldly expectations, and their previous companions.
'Walked no more with him': This wasn't just a temporary absence; it was a definitive break. They no longer associated with him, attended his teachings, or claimed him as their Messiah. This was a crucial moment of sifting, revealing those whose commitment was conditional.
Why did so many leave, while a faithful few remained? This verse points to the divine source of true faith.
Jesus’ teaching in John 6 wasn't designed to be easily understood by human reason alone. He states, 'No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father' (John 6:65). This is the crucial backdrop to why many left. Their departure wasn't just a matter of not understanding; it was a sign that the Father had not granted them the ability to truly 'come' to Jesus.
A Divine Gift: True faith and the ability to persevere in following Jesus are presented not as the result of human intellect or effort, but as a gift from God. Those who stayed, like Peter, were those to whom the Father had revealed Christ.
The Elect Remain: While this caused a great 'sifting,' Jesus’ question to the twelve—'Do you also wish to go away?'—highlights that their continued faith was a confirmation of God’s work in them, not their inherent superiority. Only those drawn by the Father could truly confess, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'
Understand the original words
mathētai · Greek Noun
Followers or learners of a teacher; in the NT, those who identify with and follow the teachings and person of Jesus Christ.
periepatoun · Greek Verb
Refers to the act of following, living, and conducting one’s life in accordance with specific principles or a specific leader.
This moment marks a significant turning point where Jesus' radical teachings about his identity and the nature of discipleship cause many superficial followers to depart, leaving behind a smaller, more committed core group.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God, attracting a large following.
Mid 1st century AD
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd, leading many to follow him with expectations of more material benefits.
Mid 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches on the Bread of Life
Jesus delivers a challenging discourse in Capernaum, explaining his divine nature and the necessity of spiritual sustenance through him.
Mid 1st century AD
Disciples Turn Away
Many followers, unable to accept Jesus' difficult teachings about his identity and mission, abandon him.
Mid 1st century AD
vincentJohn 6:66: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
From that time (ἐκ τούτου)Render, as Rev., upon this. As a result proceeding out of (ἐκ) this. Compare John 19:12.Went back (ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω)The Greek expresses more than the English. They went away (ἀπό) from Christ, Literally, to the things behind, to what they had left in order to follow the Lord.Walked (περιεπάτουν)Literally, walked about, with Jesus in His wanderings here and there.
calvinJohn 6:65-71: "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."
- And he said, Therefore have I told you that no man can come to me, unless it be given to him by my Father. 66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67. Jesus therefore said to the twelve, Do you also wish to go away? 68. Simon Peter therefore answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. 69.…
What's striking here is that the phrase "went back" isn't just about leaving, but specifically about turning away from Christ and returning to where they were before they followed Him. They didn't just stop walking with Him; they actively reverted to their former way of life, discarding the spiritual path they had briefly embraced.
Jesus had just delivered a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, which many misunderstood and found deeply disturbing. As a direct result of this difficult discourse, a significant number of his followers turned away from him, no longer choosing to walk with him. This event immediately precedes Jesus asking his twelve closest disciples if they, too, intended to leave.
Jesus had just delivered a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, which many misunderstood and found deeply disturbing. As a direct result of this difficult discourse, a significant number of his followers turned away from him, no longer choosing to walk with him. This event immediately precedes Jesus asking his twelve closest disciples if they, too, intended to leave.
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Jesus Questions the Twelve
Jesus asks his closest disciples if they also intend to leave, to which Peter affirms their belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
"After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him." — What's striking here is that the phrase "went back" isn't just about leaving, but specifically about turning away from Christ and returning to where they were before they followed Him. They didn'…
