John 6:68

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 6:68 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:68 — American Standard Version

Context — John 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
68Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Simon Peter answered him, etc.] Who was strong in the faith of Christ, and full of zeal for him, and love to him; and who was the mouth of the apostles, and always forward to speak out of the abundance and sincerity of his heart, in their name; believing, that they all of them, for he had now no suspicion of Judas, no more than of the rest, had the same faith in Christ, love to him, and esteem of him, as he himself had; wherefore out of a good opinion of them, and love to Christ, he thus addressed him: Lord; or “my Lord”; as the Syriac version renders it; which was either a title of respect, and the same with “Sir” with us; or else, as acknowledging the dominion and authority of Christ,…”
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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
“Then Simon Peter--whose forwardness in this case was noble, and to the wounded spirit of His Lord doubtless very grateful. Lord, to whom, &c.--that is, "We cannot deny that we have been staggered as well as they, and seeing so many go away who, as we thought, might have been retained by teaching a little less hard to take in, our own endurance has been severely tried, nor have we been able to stop short of the question, Shall we follow the rest, and give it up? But when it came to this, our light returned, and our hearts were reassured. For as soon as we thought of going away, there arose upon us that awful question, 'TO WHOM shall we go?' To the lifeless formalism and wretched traditions of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Simon Peter answered him - With characteristic ardor and promptness. Peter was probably one of the oldest of the apostles, and it was his character to be first and most ardent in his professions. To whom shall we go - This implied their firm conviction that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he alone was able to save them. It is one of Peter’s noble confessions - the instinctive promptings of a pious heart and of ardent love. There was no one else who could teach them. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes were corrupt, and unable to guide them aright; and, though the doctrines of Jesus were mysterious, yet they were the only doctrines that could instruct and save them. Thou hast ... -…”
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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
“Thou hast the words of eternal life - Thou, and thou alone, speakest the words which show the way to life everlasting. John 6:69”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:68-69 Simon Peter often served as spokesman for the Twelve (see also Matt 14:28-29; 16:16; 17:4; 18:21; 19:27; 26:33-35).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to whom: Psa 73:25 thou hast: Joh 6:40, Joh 6:63, Joh 5:24, Joh 5:39, Joh 5:40; Act 4:12, Act 5:20, Act 7:38; Jo1 5:11-13 John 6:69”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification