John 6:67-69
So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just ask if they'll leave; he uses a specific Greek word that implies a deep willingness or desire to go. This isn't a passive question about future action, but a probing one about their hearts' inclination, expecting them to say "No, we don't want to go."
After a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many of Jesus' followers turned back and stopped walking with him. In the face of this widespread departure, Jesus turns to his closest circle, the twelve, asking if they too intend to leave. This moment is a critical test of their commitment, prompting Peter's famous declaration of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, though Jesus immediately reveals that even within that chosen group, betrayal is present.
Have you ever felt like you're one of the few left standing when everyone else has walked away? Jesus understood that pain.
Jesus had just delivered a difficult teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. The result? Many of his followers, the ones who had been with him, turned back. Imagine the scene: a crowd that was once enthusiastic, now thinning out, leaving only a small remnant.
Jesus’ question, 'Do you want to go away as well?' spoken to the twelve, reveals his deep, human heart. It wasn’t a question born of doubt about his mission, but a tender acknowledgment of the pain of seeing people leave. He knew that many who had followed him didn't truly understand or accept his radical message. It was a moment that tested loyalty and revealed the true cost of discipleship. Even for Jesus, watching people walk away from his message brought a profound sense of loss.
When loyalty is tested, what makes someone choose to stay? Jesus' question to the Twelve wasn't just about walking with him, but wanting to stay.
The Greek word Jesus uses, 'thelete' ( θέλετε ), means 'to will' or 'to desire.' He's not just asking if they plan to leave, but if they want to leave. This shifts the focus from an external action to an internal disposition.
This deliberate choice to 'will' to stay with Jesus is crucial. While many disciples were leaving because the teaching was hard, Jesus was presenting the Twelve with a choice: stay because they desired his words, or go with the departing crowd.
This isn't about being forced; it's about a free-will decision rooted in a deeper commitment. Peter's subsequent response (in verse 68) highlights this: they stay not because they have to, but because Jesus has the 'words of eternal life.' They will to be with him because of what he offers.
Jesus asks a probing question, but the background of this moment is God's own deliberate choice.
Understand the original words
Kyrie · Greek Noun
An honorific title signifying authority and mastery; when applied to God or Jesus, it acknowledges His divine sovereignty, lordship, and rightful claim over the believer.
zōēs aiōniou · Greek Noun phrase
The quality of life that originates from God, is possessed by Him, and is granted to those who believe in His Son; it is characterized by eternal existence in union with God.
pepisteukamen · Greek Verb
A firm conviction or trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, involving both intellectual assent and a personal commitment of the heart.
ho hagios tou theou · Greek Noun phrase
A term signifying a title of divine uniqueness and consecration; it identifies the Messiah as the one specifically set apart and commissioned by God for the salvation of humanity.
This moment occurs after a significant crisis of faith where many followers desert Jesus. His question to the twelve isn't about ignorance, but a profound test of loyalty, highlighting that true discipleship isn't just about following miracles, but about clinging to Jesus himself, even when his words are hard to understand.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducts a vibrant ministry across Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering a large following. This period sees growing crowds drawn to his message and miracles.
c. AD 30
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of over five thousand, a powerful sign that draws immense attention and leads many to believe he is the promised prophet.
c. AD 30
Jesus Walks on Water
Following the feeding miracle, Jesus walks on water to reach his disciples in a boat, another sign that awes and perplexes them.
c. AD 30
The Bread of Life Discourse
Jesus delivers a profound teaching about himself as the "bread of life," whose flesh is true food and whose blood is true drink. This teaching challenges his audience to a deeper spiritual understanding.
This passage presents a stark choice between life and death, blessing and curse, mirroring Jesus' question to the twelve about whether they would choose to leave him or to stay.
Joshua 24:15Similar to Jesus' direct appeal, this verse challenges the Israelites to consciously decide who they will serve, highlighting the personal commitment required in following God.
Matthew 10:33Jesus' earlier instruction to his disciples about denying him before men parallels the present crisis, where staying with him means publicly identifying with him despite potential rejection.
Acts 1:25This verse speaks of Judas Iscariot departing from the apostolic ministry, directly illustrating the 'going away' that Jesus was testing the eleven apostles against.
1 Corinthians 15:12The mention of 'many of his disciples' going away echoes the broader context of this passage, which addresses the denial of the resurrection and its implications for belief.
barnesJohn 6:67: "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?"
The twelve - The twelve apostles. Will ye also go away? - Many apostatized, and it was natural now for Jesus to submit the question to the twelve. "Will you, whom I have chosen, on whom I have bestowed the apostleship, and who have seen the evidence of my Messiahship, will you now also leave me?" This was the time to try them; and it is always a time to try real Christians when many professed disciples become cold and turn back…
vincentJohn 6:67: "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?"
The twelveJohn assumes that the number is known. It is implied in the twelve baskets of fragments. As in so many other instances in this Gospel, facts of the synoptic narrative are taken for granted as familiar.Will ye also go away? (μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς θέλετε ὑπάγειν)The interrogative particle μὴ shows that a negative answer is expected. Surely ye will not. Will ye go is not the future tense of the verb to go, but is expresse…
Jesus doesn't just ask if they'll leave; he uses a specific Greek word that implies a deep willingness or desire to go. This isn't a passive question about future action, but a probing one about their hearts' inclination, expecting them to say "No, we don't want to go."
After a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many of Jesus' followers turned back and stopped walking with him. In the face of this widespread departure, Jesus turns to his closest circle, the twelve, asking if they too intend to leave. This moment is a critical test of their commitment, prompting Peter's famous declaration of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, though Jesus immediately reveals that even within that chosen group, betrayal is present.
After a challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many of Jesus' followers turned back and stopped walking with him. In the face of this widespread departure, Jesus turns to his closest circle, the twelve, asking if they too intend to leave. This moment is a critical test of their commitment, prompting Peter's famous declaration of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, though Jesus immediately reveals that even within that chosen group, betrayal is present.
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While Jesus offers the Twelve a real choice to stay or go, the broader context, as Calvin points out, is God’s sovereign grace. Jesus had already stated in John 6:65, 'No one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.'
This means that the desire to will to stay, the very 'wanting' Jesus probes, is itself a gift from God. The disciples who remained didn't stay because they were inherently stronger or more faithful than those who left. They stayed because the Father had drawn them and enabled them to believe.
This highlights a beautiful tension: human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Jesus invites a genuine response, but it's God’s prior work that makes that response possible and meaningful. The fact that the Twelve did choose to stay, and did so with conviction, points to the Father’s gracious, enabling work in their hearts.
c. AD 30— this verse
Many Disciples Depart
Due to the challenging nature of the Bread of Life discourse, many of Jesus' followers find his words too difficult and stop following him.
c. AD 30
Jesus Questions the Twelve
Jesus turns to his closest disciples, the twelve apostles, and asks if they too will leave him, testing their commitment and faith amidst the defection of others.
c. AD 30
Peter's Confession
Peter, speaking for the twelve, affirms their unwavering belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, solidifying their loyalty.
"So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”" — Jesus doesn't just ask if they'll leave; he uses a specific Greek word that implies a deep willingness or desire to go. This isn't a passive question about future action, but a probing one about…
