John 6:69
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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Peter's declaration isn't just a simple statement of belief; it’s a progression from "believing" to "having come to know," showing how faith deepens into a certain, lived knowledge. What's often missed is that the most reliable ancient texts actually record them confessing Jesus as "the Holy One of God," a title emphasizing His unique divine nature and consecration to His mission.
Following Jesus' challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turned away, finding his words too hard. When Jesus then asked the twelve if they, too, would leave, Peter, speaking for them, declared their unwavering belief and knowledge that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This declaration solidified their commitment amidst the disciples' desertion and in light of Jesus' warning that not all he chose were truly devoted.
When Jesus' teaching got tough, many disciples walked away. But for Peter and the others, a deeper reality began to dawn.
Notice the progression in Peter's confession: 'we have believed and have come to know.' This isn't just a one-time belief; it's a journey.
From Belief to Certainty
This spiritual 'knowing' is a gift of experiencing God's truth, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep inner conviction.
While the text might seem to echo Peter's famous confession, it uses a distinct title for Jesus. What does 'The Holy One of God' reveal?
While some ancient manuscripts and early confessions link this verse to Peter's 'Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16), many scholars point to a more precise original reading: 'the Holy One of God.' This title is significant.
What 'Holy One' Means
Understand the original words
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 confession comes at a critical turning point when many followers, unable to grasp Jesus' difficult teaching about being the Bread of Life, turn away. Peter's bold affirmation, on behalf of the Twelve, solidifies their commitment even as others desert him.
c. AD 28
Jesus calls first disciples
Jesus begins his public ministry and calls his first followers, including the men who would become the twelve apostles, to leave their former lives and follow him.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' ministry and teachings
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God, attracting large crowds.
c. AD 30
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds thousands of people, leading many to believe he is the Prophet foretold by Moses and prompting them to seek him out.
c. AD 30
Jesus walks on water
Jesus walks on water during a storm, further demonstrating his divine authority and perplexing his disciples.
c. AD 30
This is Peter's famous confession, very similar to this one, where he declares Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, showing a foundational belief in Jesus' identity that transcends challenging teachings.
John 17:8Here Jesus speaks of His disciples knowing for certain that He came from the Father, mirroring the 'have come to know' aspect of the confession in John 6:69 and highlighting divine revelation.
1 John 4:16This passage states that 'God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him,' which connects to the idea of knowing and believing in God's nature, similar to knowing Jesus as the Holy One of God.
Isaiah 8:14This verse describes the Messiah as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, which provides context for why many disciples left Jesus in John 6, and why the apostles' confession of belief was so significant.
barnesJohn 6:69: "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
We are sure ... - See a similar confession of Peter in Matthew 16:16 , and the notes at that place. Peter says we are sure, in the name of the whole of the apostles. Jesus immediately cautions him, as he did on other occasions, not to be too confident, for one of them actually had no such feelings, but was a traitor.
vincentJohn 6:69: "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
Are sure (ἐγνώκαμεν)Literally, have come to know. The order of the words believe and know is reversed in John 17:8; 1 John 4:16. In the case of the first disciples, faith, produced by the overpowering impression of Jesus' works and person, preceded intellectual conviction.That Christ, the Son of the living GodThe best texts substitute ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Θεοῦ, the holy one of God. The other reading has…
Peter's declaration isn't just a simple statement of belief; it’s a progression from "believing" to "having come to know," showing how faith deepens into a certain, lived knowledge. What's often missed is that the most reliable ancient texts actually record them confessing Jesus as "the Holy One of God," a title emphasizing His unique divine nature and consecration to His mission.
Following Jesus' challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turned away, finding his words too hard. When Jesus then asked the twelve if they, too, would leave, Peter, speaking for them, declared their unwavering belief and knowledge that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This declaration solidified their commitment amidst the disciples' desertion and in light of Jesus' warning that not all he chose were truly devoted.
Following Jesus' challenging teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many disciples turned away, finding his words too hard. When Jesus then asked the twelve if they, too, would leave, Peter, speaking for them, declared their unwavering belief and knowledge that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This declaration solidified their commitment amidst the disciples' desertion and in light of Jesus' warning that not all he chose were truly devoted.
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This confession emphasizes Jesus' divine purity and unique consecration, a core aspect of His identity that believers grasp.
When the going gets tough, people leave. How did the apostles' confession stand firm when so many others gave up?
This moment in John 6 is a crisis point. Jesus' teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was deeply challenging, causing many 'disciples' to turn back.
The Apostles' Steadfastness
In a world where truth is often abandoned for comfort, the apostles' confession highlights the power of a faith anchored in Christ's unique authority and the Father's sovereign grace.
Discourse on the Bread of Life
Jesus delivers a challenging discourse explaining that he is the true bread from heaven, leading many followers to reject his teaching and leave him.
c. AD 30
Jesus questions the Twelve
Faced with the departure of many followers, Jesus asks his closest disciples if they too will leave, prompting Peter's confession.
"and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”" — Peter's declaration isn't just a simple statement of belief; it’s a progression from "believing" to "having come to know," showing how faith deepens into a certain, lived knowledge. What's often miss…
