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He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.
John 6:71 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
  • KJV He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
  • NKJV He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
  • NASB Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot; for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.
  • NLT He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray 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

John explains that Jesus spoke of Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him though one of the Twelve. The note names the betrayer and underscores the gravity of his coming treachery.

Overview

John identifies Judas to clarify Jesus's words and to highlight the tragedy of betrayal from within. That the betrayer was one of the chosen Twelve magnifies the darkness of his act. Yet this too served God's redemptive plan, as Jesus moved knowingly toward the cross foretold in Scripture.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 10

  • Matt 26:14–16Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
  • Jude 1:4For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • Acts 1:16–20“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
  • Ps 41:9Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
  • Ps 55:13–14But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
  • John 18:2–6Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.
  • Acts 2:23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
  • John 13:26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
  • Ps 109:6–8Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
  • Matt 27:3–5When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — John videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on John 6:71YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on JohnMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

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 6:71 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

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.