From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Parallel translations
- WEB At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
- BSB From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
- NKJV From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
- NASB As a result of this many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him.
- NLT At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Because of these sayings, many disciples turn back and no longer follow Jesus. His teaching sifts the crowd, separating true followers from the merely curious.
Overview
The hard words about His person and sacrifice prove to be a dividing line. Many who had followed for bread and signs now abandon Him. John shows that genuine discipleship endures the offense of Christ's claims, while superficial attachment falls away when faith is truly tested.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Luke 9:62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
- 1 Jn 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
- John 6:60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
- Heb 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
- John 8:31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
- Matt 19:22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
- 2 Tim 4:10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
- Zeph 1:6And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.
- John 6:64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
- 2 Tim 1:15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
- 2 Pet 2:20–22For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
- Matt 13:20–21But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
- Matt 12:40–45For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
- Matt 21:8–11And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
- Matt 27:20–25But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 6:66 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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