Joh 6:60-66 | RWP | e4.org | A hard saying ( σκληρος ). "This saying is a hard one." Old adjective, rough, harsh, dried hard (from σκελλω , to dry), probably the last saying of Jesus that he was the bread of life come down from heaven and they were to eat him. It is to be hoped that none of the twelve joined the many disciples in this complaint. Hear it ( αυτου ακουειν ). Or "hear him," hear with acceptation. For ακουω with the genitive see , , .

‏ John 6:60-66

A hard saying ( σκληρος ). "This saying is a hard one." Old adjective, rough, harsh, dried hard (from σκελλω, to dry), probably the last saying of Jesus that he was the bread of life come down from heaven and they were to eat him. It is to be hoped that none of the twelve joined the many disciples in this complaint.

Hear it ( αυτου ακουειν ). Or "hear him," hear with acceptation. For ακουω with the genitive see 10:3, 16, 27.

Knowing in himself ( ειδως εν εαυτω ). Second perfect active participle of οιδα. See 2:25 for this supernatural insight into men's minds.

Murmured ( γογγυζουσιν ). Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse. See 41 for γογγυζω.

At this ( περ τουτου ). "Concerning this word."

Cause to stumble ( σκανδαλιζε ). Common Synoptic verb from σκανδαλον for which see Mt 5:29. In John again only in 16:1.

What then if ye should behold ( εαν ουν θεωρητε ). No "what" in the Greek. Condition of third class with εαν and present active subjunctive, "if ye then behold."

Ascending ( αναβαινοντα ). Present active participle picturing the process.

Where he was before ( οπου ην το προτερον ). Neuter articular adjective as adverb (accusative of general reference, at the former time as in 9:8; Ga 3:13). Clear statement of Christ's pre-existence in his own words as in 3:13; 17:5 (cf. 1:1-18).

That quickeneth ( το ζωοποιουν ). Articular present active participle of ζωοποιεω for which see 5:21. For the contrast between πνευμα (spirit) and σαρξ (flesh) see already 3:6.

The words ( τα ρηματα ). Those in this discourse (I have just spoken, λελαληκα ), for they are the words of God (3:34; 8:47; 17:8). No wonder they "are spirit and are life" ( πνευμα εστιν κα ζωη εστιν ). The breath of God and the life of God is in these words of Jesus. Never man spoke like Jesus (7:46). There is life in his words today.

That believe not ( ο ου πιστευουσιν ). Failure to believe kills the life in the words of Jesus.

Knew from the beginning ( ηιδε εξ αρχης ). In the N.T. we have εξ αρχης only here and 16:4, but απ' αρχης in apparently the same sense as here in 15:27; 1Jo 2:7, 24; 3:11 and see Lu 1:2; 1Jo 1:1. From the first Jesus distinguished between real trust in him and mere lip service (2:24; 8:31), two senses of πιστευω.

Were ( εισιν ). Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse.

And who it was that should betray him ( κα τις εστιν ο παραδωσων ). Same use of εστιν and note article and future active participle of παραδιδωμ, to hand over, to betray. John does not say here that Jesus knew that Judas would betray him when he chose him as one of the twelve, least of all that he chose him for that purpose. What he does say is that Jesus was not taken by surprise and soon saw signs of treason in Judas. The same verb is used of John's arrest in Mt 4:12. Once Judas is termed traitor ( προδοτης ) in Lu 6:16. Judas had gifts and was given his opportunity. He did not have to betray Jesus.

Except it be given him of the Father ( εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του πατρος ). Condition of third class with εαν μη and periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of διδωμ. Precisely the same point as in verse 44 where we have ελκυση instead of η δεδομενον. The impulse to faith comes from God. Jesus does not expect all to believe and seems to imply that Judas did not truly believe.

Upon this ( εκ τουτου ). Same idiom in 19:12. "Out of this saying or circumstance." Jesus drew the line of cleavage between the true and the false believers.

Went back ( απηλθον εις τα οπισω ). Aorist (ingressive) active indicative of απερχομα with εις τα οπισω, "to the rear" (the behind things) as in 18:6.

Walked no more with him ( ουκετ μετ' αυτου περιεπατουν ). Imperfect active of περιπατεω. The crisis had come. These half-hearted seekers after the loaves and fishes and political power turned abruptly from Jesus, walked out of the synagogue with a deal of bluster and were walking with Jesus no more. Jesus had completely disillusioned these hungry camp-followers who did not care for spiritual manna that consisted in intimate appropriation of the life of Jesus as God's Son.