JOHN 6:60–71, THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE AND THE TEST OF DISCIPLESHIP
FAITH THAT REMAINS WITH JESUS WHEN OTHERS WALK AWAY
Introduction
Jesus often teaches in a way that begins with misunderstanding and ends with divine clarity. We see this with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman: both first heard Jesus in a purely literal way, and only later grasped the spiritual truth. A similar moment unfolds after Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse. When he says that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood, many cannot accept it. It sounds impossible and even offensive, especially within Jewish reverence for the law. Some disciples leave. Yet the Twelve remain—not because everything is clear, but because they trust the One who speaks. Then Jesus adds a final, sobering revelation: even among the chosen Twelve, one heart is turning toward betrayal. This passage teaches the Church how to remain faithful amid confusion, scandal, and testing.
Bible Passage (John 6:60–71)
After hearing this, many of his disciples said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?” He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.
Background
John 6 forms a single movement: the feeding of the multitude, the people’s desire to make Jesus king, Jesus walking on the water, and then the Bread of Life discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum. The sign of bread leads to a teaching about the Eucharist. That teaching produces a crisis: not everyone wants a Messiah who must be received in faith and followed in obedience. This concluding passage shows the division among disciples and introduces the shadow of Judas’ betrayal, reminding us that closeness to Jesus is not the same as fidelity to Jesus.
Opening Life Connection
In every generation, there are moments when faith feels “hard.” Some teachings are difficult to understand; some are difficult to live. Sometimes people drift away not because they hate God, but because they feel overwhelmed, offended, or unwilling to surrender. And sometimes the most painful trials come from within—when someone close disappoints us or betrays trust. This Gospel meets these realities and asks: will we follow Jesus only when it feels easy, or will we remain because he alone is life?
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
The disciples begin with the complaint: “this saying is hard; who can accept it?”. The word “hard” carries the sense of scandal—something that feels unacceptable. Jesus’ Eucharistic teaching seems impossible and even offensive, especially because Jewish law forbade consuming blood. Their reaction reveals a common struggle: when divine truth surpasses human categories, the heart can close rather than open.
Jesus does not dilute the truth to keep followers. Instead he asks: “does this offend you?”. He invites them to face what is really happening inside. At times we say, “I don’t understand,” when the deeper issue is, “I don’t want this to be true,” or “I don’t want God to ask this of me.” Jesus calls for honesty, because faith matures only in truth.
He then points beyond the present moment: “what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?”. Jesus reveals that the Eucharistic mystery is linked to his heavenly origin and his paschal destiny. If they stumble now, how will they respond to the greater mysteries—his resurrection, ascension, and glory? Yet within this is mercy: understanding will come in time. The question is whether they will remain long enough to receive that light.
Jesus gives the key to the whole discourse: “it is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail”. He is not rejecting the body or denying the sacrament. He is rejecting merely human reasoning—“flesh” as worldly thinking that cannot grasp divine mysteries. The Eucharist is received through the Spirit, not mastered by logic. That is why Jesus insists: “the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life”. His words do not merely inform; they transform. But they require a heart willing to be taught.
Then Jesus exposes a deeper wound: “there are some of you who do not believe”. The crisis is not only intellectual but spiritual. Unbelief is not always ignorance; it can be resistance. John notes that Jesus “knew from the beginning”—he is not surprised by human weakness or betrayal. He remains faithful, even when others are not.
Jesus adds: “no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father”. Faith is a gift. Grace draws. But grace does not force. A person can be invited and still refuse. When faith feels hard, the Church teaches us to pray more deeply, not to withdraw: “Father, draw me. Give me the grace to believe.”
The consequence is heartbreaking: “many… returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him”. Often the most dangerous loss of faith is quiet. People do not always become enemies; they simply drift. The habits of discipleship fade, and life becomes “former life” again.
Then Jesus asks the Twelve: “do you also want to leave?”. He respects freedom. He does not manipulate. This question is personal, direct, and timeless. When the Gospel challenges us, when Church teaching feels difficult, when scandal shakes confidence—Jesus still asks: will you also go away?
Peter answers with humble conviction: “to whom shall we go?”. He does not claim full understanding. He confesses something deeper: only Jesus gives real life. He declares: “you have the words of eternal life”. In other words, even when we struggle, we recognize that Christ’s word is not empty—it is life-giving truth. And Peter seals it with faith: “we have come to believe… you are the Holy One of God”.
Then Jesus speaks a final, sobering line: “did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?”. This is not name-calling; it is revelation of a spiritual reality. Jesus has chosen the Twelve, given them intimacy, authority, and mission—yet one is allowing darkness to take root. Judas is not outside the circle; he is within it. This warns the Church that ministry, proximity, and even external discipleship do not guarantee fidelity. The real battle is interior: what we love, what we seek, what we choose in secret.
John clarifies: Judas would betray him, “one of the Twelve”. The pain is intensified: betrayal comes not from strangers but from closeness. Yet even here, Jesus remains steady. He does not abandon the mission because of betrayal. He continues toward the Cross, proving that God’s love is stronger than human unfaithfulness.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
For Jewish listeners, drinking blood was forbidden because blood symbolized life belonging to God. This made Jesus’ Eucharistic teaching particularly shocking. The murmuring of disciples echoes Israel’s wilderness murmuring, where God’s provision was questioned. The language of “choosing” the Twelve echoes Israel’s election: God chooses a people, yet within that chosen community there can still be infidelity. Jesus reveals that spiritual warfare is real, and betrayal is not merely psychological—it has moral and spiritual weight.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church reads this passage as a strong foundation for Eucharistic faith and for persevering discipleship. Jesus does not retract his teaching when people leave; he remains faithful to the truth and invites a free response. The Eucharist is received by faith as a gift of the Spirit, not reduced to worldly categories. The mention of Judas also reminds the Church that sin can exist within the community of believers, and even within leadership, without destroying the truth of Christ’s teaching. Our faith is ultimately in Jesus, not in the perfection of every disciple.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saints often lived through times of confusion and scandal, yet remained anchored in Christ. **Saint Catherine of Siena loved the Church deeply and suffered because of sin and division within it, yet she did not walk away. She clung to Christ and called for repentance with courage. Like Peter, she lived the truth: there is nowhere else to go, because only Christ has the words of eternal life.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel calls us to remain when faith is tested. Some teachings are difficult; some are misunderstood; some require sacrifice. Yet discipleship is not sustained by clarity alone—it is sustained by trust. The passage also speaks to times when Christians are shaken by betrayal or scandal within the Church. Jesus already knew this reality, and he did not abandon the Church he was forming. He calls us to be realistic, vigilant, and faithful: to stay close to Christ in prayer, Scripture, confession, and the Eucharist.
Eucharistic Connection
This passage is a Eucharistic crossroads. Many leave precisely because Jesus teaches the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. The faithful remain, not because they can explain every mystery, but because they trust the Lord who gives himself. At Mass, Christ still speaks words of spirit and life. Each Communion is our answer to Jesus’ question: “Will you also go away?” And each worthy reception is our confession with Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
Messages / Call to Conversion
-
Remain with Jesus when his teaching is hard, trusting that the Spirit will lead you into deeper understanding.
-
Repent of spiritual drifting—return to prayer and the sacraments instead of withdrawing when challenged.
-
Be vigilant about the heart: closeness to holy things must be matched by sincere conversion.
-
Renew faith in the Eucharist as Christ’s true gift of life, not merely a symbol or routine.
-
Make a daily resolution to choose Christ’s will over worldly desires, so that betrayal never takes root in you.
Outline for Preachers
-
Background: feeding of the multitude, walking on the sea, discourse at Capernaum
-
Life connection: hard teachings, drifting, and betrayal within close circles
-
Key phrases explained: “this saying is hard”, “does this offend you?”, “it is the spirit that gives life”, “many withdrew”, “do you also want to leave?”, “you have the words of eternal life”, “one of you is a devil”
-
Jewish context: prohibition of blood; wilderness murmuring; election and infidelity
-
Catholic teaching: Eucharistic realism; faith as grace; perseverance amid scandal
-
Saintly illustration: **Saint Catherine of Siena and fidelity during Church crisis
-
Application: humility before mystery; staying rooted in Christ; guarding the heart from greed and pride
-
Eucharistic connection: Communion as our answer to Christ; Eucharist as nourishment for perseverance
-
Key messages and call to conversion: remain, repent, believe, be vigilant, follow
