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John 6:66

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 6:66 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 6:66 — American Standard Version

Context — John 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
63It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, are are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him.
65And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.
66Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?
68Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“From that [time] many of his disciples went back, etc.] Not any of the twelve apostles, for they are distinguished from these in the next verse; nor any of the seventy disciples, for their names were written in heaven, and could not apostatize totally and finally, as these did; but some of the multitude of the disciples, who followed Christ, heard him, and professed to believe in him, and were baptized in his name, but were not true disciples, only nominal ones: they had never heard and learned of the Father, otherwise they would have known what it was to come to Christ, as the Father’s gift, and under the drawings of his grace; and would not have been offended at the words of our Lord, just…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“From that time, &c.--or, in consequence of this. Those last words of our Lord seemed to have given them the finishing stroke--they could not stand it any longer. walked no more--Many a journey, it may be, they had taken with Him, but now they gave Him up finally!”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Many of his disciples - Many who had followed him professedly as his disciples and as desirous of learning of him. See the notes at John 6:60. Went back - Turned away from him and left him. From this we may learn, Not to wonder at the apostasy of many who profess to be followers of Christ. Many are induced to become his professed followers by the prospect of some temporal benefit, or under some public excitement, as these were; and when that temporal benefit is not obtained, or that excitement is over, they fall away. Many may be expected to be offended by the doctrines of the gospel. Having no spirituality of mind, and really understanding nothing of the gospel, they may be expected to take…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“From this time many of his disciples went back - So our Lord now began to purge his floor: the proud and careless were driven away, and those remained who were meet for the Master's use. John 6:68”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“of his: Joh 6:60, Joh 8:31; Zep 1:6; Mat 12:40-45, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21, Mat 19:22, Mat 21:8-11, Mat 27:20-25; Luk 9:62; Ti2 1:15, Ti2 4:10; Heb 10:38; Pe2 2:20-22; Jo1 2:19 John 6:67”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification