“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”
My Notes
What Does John 6:60 Mean?
"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" After Jesus' discourse on eating his flesh and drinking his blood (the Bread of Life teaching), many of his followers — not just opponents, but disciples — find the teaching unbearable. The word "hard" (sklēros) doesn't mean difficult to understand; it means offensive, harsh, intolerable. They understood what he was saying. They just couldn't accept it.
This moment marks a turning point in John's Gospel. Many disciples will walk away (v. 66). Jesus doesn't soften the message, explain it away, or call them back. He turns to the twelve and asks, "Will ye also go away?" The hard saying serves as a filter — not designed to exclude, but to reveal who's committed enough to stay when the teaching gets uncomfortable.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What teaching of Jesus do you find hardest to accept — not hardest to understand, but hardest to live with?
- 2.Have you ever been tempted to walk away from faith because a truth was too uncomfortable?
- 3.How do you respond when Jesus doesn't soften his message for your comfort?
- 4.If Jesus asked you 'Will ye also go away?' right now, what would your honest answer be?
Devotional
This is an hard saying. Who can hear it? And with that, many of his disciples turned around and walked away.
Notice what they didn't say. They didn't say they didn't understand. They said it was hard — offensive, too much, more than they could stomach. These weren't enemies. These were followers. People who'd been tracking with Jesus, eating the bread he multiplied, watching the miracles, believing he was someone special. And when the teaching got difficult, they left.
This is the moment that separates consumers from disciples. Consumers follow Jesus for what he provides — the miracles, the community, the good feelings. Disciples follow Jesus for who he is — even when what he says is hard, offensive, or costs them their comfort.
Jesus doesn't chase the ones who leave. He doesn't water down the message or say, "Wait, I didn't mean it like that." He lets them go. And then he turns to the twelve and asks the most honest question in Scripture: "Will ye also go away?" No pressure. No guilt. Just: are you in or out? Now that you know the cost, now that you've heard the hard part — will you stay?
That question is in front of you every time Jesus says something you don't like, challenges something you're comfortable with, or asks for more than you planned to give.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
What and if ye shall see the son of man,.... Meaning himself then in a state of humiliation, and was taken for a mere…
Many of his disciples - The word “disciple” means “learner.” It was applied to the followers of Christ because they were…
Many therefore of his disciples - So it appears that he had many more than the twelve, who constantly accompanied…
We have here an account of the effects of Christ's discourse. Some were offended and others edified by it; some driven…
Opposite Results of the Discourse
60. Many therefore of his disciples Including many more than the Apostles.
This is a…
Cross References
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