John 6:60

KJV

¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

KJV (with Strong's)

Many {G4183} therefore {G3767} of {G1537} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, when they had heard {G191} this, said {G2036}, This {G3778} is {G2076} an hard {G4642} saying {G3056}; who {G5101} can {G1410} hear {G191} it {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing it, many of his talmidim said, “This is a hard word — who can bear to listen to it?”

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?”

American Standard Version

Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 6:60 marks a critical turning point in Jesus' Galilean ministry, capturing the profound disillusionment and spiritual struggle of many who had initially followed Him. After Jesus delivered His challenging "Bread of Life" discourse, speaking of the necessity of spiritually "eating His flesh and drinking His blood," a significant number of His disciples found His teaching incomprehensible and unpalatable, declaring it a "hard saying" that they could not accept or endure. This verse highlights the inherent tension between divine truth and human understanding, foreshadowing the departure of many who were unwilling to embrace the deeper, more demanding aspects of true discipleship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' extended "Bread of Life" discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum, as recorded in [John 6:22-59](/john/6-22-59 "John 6:22-59 - The Bread of Life Discourse"). In this pivotal teaching, Jesus progressively revealed Himself as the true spiritual sustenance, culminating in the shocking declaration that His followers must "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood" to have eternal life ([John 6:53](/john/6-53 "John 6:53 - Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood")). This metaphorical language, intended to convey a profound spiritual union and complete reliance on Him for salvation, was misunderstood literally by many of His hearers, including a large contingent of His disciples. Their reaction in [John 6:60](/john/6-60 "John 6:60 - The Hard Saying") sets the stage for the subsequent defection of many followers and Peter's confession of faith, marking a significant winnowing of the crowd.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Capernaum, a bustling town on the Sea of Galilee, which served as Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry. The audience included not only the twelve apostles but also a broader group referred to as "disciples" (Gk. _mathētḗs_), indicating a larger following who had been drawn to His miracles and teachings. For a Jewish audience, the literal interpretation of eating flesh and drinking blood would have been deeply offensive and religiously abhorrent. Jewish law strictly prohibited the consumption of blood ([Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption")), and the idea of cannibalism was utterly unthinkable. This cultural and religious framework made Jesus' words particularly jarring, leading to their immediate rejection by those who could not perceive the spiritual truth behind the metaphor.

* **Key Themes:** The reaction in [John 6:60](/john/6-60 "John 6:60 - The Hard Saying") underscores several key themes pervasive in John's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it highlights the **challenging nature of divine truth**; Jesus' teachings often transcended conventional human logic and religious expectations, demanding a radical shift in perspective and a deeper spiritual commitment. Secondly, it emphasizes the crucial distinction between **spiritual discernment and literal interpretation**. As Jesus later clarifies in [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life"), "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." This reveals that His message requires faith and spiritual insight, not merely intellectual processing. Finally, this verse vividly illustrates **the cost of discipleship**. True followership of Jesus is not always comfortable or convenient; it involves accepting difficult truths and making radical commitments, even when His words are challenging or counter-cultural, ultimately testing the authenticity and depth of one's faith, as seen in the subsequent departure of many in [John 6:66](/john/6-66 "John 6:66 - Many Disciples Turn Back").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From G3101, meaning "a learner, i.e. pupil." In this context, it refers to a broader group of followers who were attracted to Jesus' teachings and miracles, not exclusively the inner circle of the twelve apostles. Their designation as "disciples" indicates an initial commitment to learning from Him, but their subsequent reaction reveals the superficiality of that commitment for many when faced with demanding truths.
* **hard (Greek, _sklērós'_):** From G4642, meaning "dry, i.e. hard or tough (figuratively, harsh, severe)." This word conveys more than mere intellectual difficulty; it implies that the saying was harsh, offensive, unyielding, and difficult to bear or accept. It suggests a moral or spiritual resistance to the truth presented, rather than simply a cognitive inability to understand.
* **saying (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, meaning "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive." Here, it refers to Jesus' entire discourse on the Bread of Life, particularly the challenging statements about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. It encompasses not just the words themselves but the profound theological concept they conveyed.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, a primary verb meaning "to hear (in various senses)." While it literally means to perceive with the ear, in this context, especially with the rhetorical question "who can hear it?", it carries the deeper sense of understanding, accepting, internalizing, and obeying. The disciples were able to physically hear the words, but they struggled to "hear" them in the sense of comprehending and assenting to their spiritual meaning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said":** The term "many" (Gk. _polýs_, G4183) indicates a significant portion of Jesus' followers, highlighting the widespread nature of the rejection. The conjunction "therefore" (Gk. _oûn_, G3767) links their reaction directly to the preceding discourse, emphasizing that their response was a direct consequence of Jesus' challenging words. These were not casual bystanders but individuals who had identified themselves as "disciples" (Gk. _mathētḗs_, G3101), suggesting a prior level of commitment that was now being tested. Their collective declaration signifies a consensus of difficulty and offense.
* **"This is an hard saying":** The demonstrative pronoun "This" (Gk. _hoûtos_, G3778) refers to the entirety of Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse, particularly the graphic metaphors of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The predicate "is" (Gk. _estí_, G2076) asserts the nature of the discourse. The phrase "hard saying" (Gk. _sklērós lógos_, G4642 + G3056) conveys that the teaching was not merely difficult to intellectually grasp, but also harsh, offensive, and morally or spiritually unacceptable to them. It challenged their worldview, their religious sensibilities, and their understanding of God's law.
* **"who can hear it?":** This is a rhetorical question (Gk. _tís_, G5101, "who" + _dýnamai_, G1410, "can/be able" + _akoúō_, G191, "hear"). It expresses their profound dismay and perceived impossibility of accepting such a teaching. The word "hear" here goes beyond mere auditory perception; it implies the ability to understand, accept, internalize, and endure the implications of Jesus' words. Their question is not seeking an answer but expressing their conviction that no one could possibly tolerate or embrace such a demanding and seemingly absurd truth.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel employs several literary devices in [John 6:60](/john/6-60 "John 6:60 - The Hard Saying") to underscore the gravity of the moment. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "who can hear it?" This question, posed by the disciples, is not genuinely seeking information but rather expressing their collective incredulity, frustration, and a sense of impossibility regarding Jesus' teaching. It serves to highlight the extreme difficulty they perceived in His words and to elicit agreement from others. There is also an element of **Irony** in the disciples' reaction; what Jesus intended as a life-giving spiritual truth (His body and blood as the source of eternal life) was perceived by them as a "hard saying" leading to offense and ultimately, their departure. This contrasts sharply with the life and light that Jesus embodies. Furthermore, the entire "Bread of Life" discourse, which precedes this verse, is built upon **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, with Jesus using physical bread, flesh, and blood to represent spiritual realities. The disciples' inability to move beyond a literal interpretation of these metaphors is precisely what makes the "saying" so "hard" for them, demonstrating a failure of spiritual discernment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:60 serves as a stark reminder that divine truth, particularly when revealed in its fullness through Jesus Christ, often confronts human reason and comfort. The disciples' declaration of a "hard saying" underscores the inherent resistance of the natural human mind to spiritual realities that transcend empirical understanding or challenge deeply ingrained beliefs. This moment highlights the necessity of divine grace and spiritual discernment to truly comprehend and embrace God's Word. It differentiates between a superficial following based on signs and wonders, and a genuine discipleship rooted in faith and a willingness to accept even the most demanding aspects of Christ's teaching. The "hardness" of the saying reveals the spiritual immaturity of many who were not yet ready to move beyond the physical and embrace the spiritual, foreshadowing the separation of those truly committed from those whose faith was shallow.

* [Deuteronomy 29:4](/deuteronomy/29-4 "Deuteronomy 29:4 - A Heart to Understand")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Man Cannot Understand Spiritual Things")
* [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - Parables and Ears to Hear")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' struggle with Jesus' "hard saying" in [John 6:60](/john/6-60 "John 6:60 - The Hard Saying") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine the depth of our own commitment when faced with truths that are uncomfortable, counter-cultural, or seemingly illogical to our finite minds. In a world that often prizes ease and immediate gratification, the Christian faith frequently demands perseverance through spiritual difficulties and intellectual wrestling. This verse calls us to move beyond a superficial understanding of Scripture, urging us to seek the Spirit's illumination to grasp the deeper, life-giving meaning of God's Word, even when it demands a radical reorientation of our perspectives or a costly obedience. It reminds us that true discipleship is not merely intellectual assent but a profound spiritual transformation that embraces the whole counsel of God, trusting in His wisdom even when it defies our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hard sayings" of Jesus or biblical truths do you find challenging to fully accept or understand in your own life?**
* **How do you typically respond when faced with a biblical teaching that contradicts your preconceived notions or cultural norms?**
* **What is the difference between intellectual understanding and spiritual discernment, and how can you cultivate the latter?**
* **In what ways might your commitment to Christ be tested by difficult truths, and how can you prepare to persevere through them?**

### FAQ
**What was the "hard saying" Jesus spoke that caused such a reaction?**

Answer: The "hard saying" refers primarily to Jesus' discourse on the "Bread of Life" in [John 6:51-59](/john/6-51-59 "John 6:51-59 - The Bread of Life Discourse"), where He declared, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." This was a metaphorical teaching about the absolute necessity of spiritually receiving Him—His person and His atoning work—as the sole source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment. Many of His disciples, however, interpreted these words literally, finding them cannibalistic, abhorrent, and contrary to Jewish law and common sense.

**Why did the disciples find it "hard"?**

Answer: The disciples found the saying "hard" (Gk. _sklērós_) for several reasons. Firstly, their **literal interpretation** of Jesus' metaphorical language led to profound misunderstanding; they could not grasp the spiritual reality He was conveying. Secondly, their **cultural and religious background** made the idea of eating flesh and drinking blood utterly repulsive and a violation of Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption")). Finally, it exposed their **spiritual immaturity** and lack of faith to perceive the deeper, spiritual truth behind the words, revealing that their commitment was based on physical benefits (like the miraculous feeding in [John 6:1-15](/john/6-1-15 "John 6:1-15 - Feeding the Five Thousand")) rather than a true understanding of Jesus' divine identity and mission.

**What does "who can hear it?" mean in this context?**

Answer: The rhetorical question "who can hear it?" (Gk. _tís dýnamai akoúō_) goes beyond mere auditory perception. It signifies "who can understand it, who can accept it, who can endure it, or who can obey it?" The disciples were expressing their conviction that the teaching was so offensive and incomprehensible that no one could possibly receive it and remain a follower. It highlights their inability to spiritually process the profound implications of Jesus' words and their unwillingness to submit to a truth that challenged their conventional wisdom and comfort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "hard saying" of [John 6:60](/john/6-60 "John 6:60 - The Hard Saying") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the disciples' rejection, but in Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission and the subsequent revelation of the cross. While the disciples stumbled over the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, Jesus' words foreshadowed the very act that would become the cornerstone of Christian faith: His sacrificial death on the cross. The "hard saying" was a glimpse into the profound mystery of the incarnation and atonement—that the Word became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) and gave His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). What was initially perceived as an offensive and incomprehensible teaching becomes, in light of Calvary, the very means of eternal life and spiritual nourishment for all who believe. The "hard saying" tests the authenticity of faith, revealing that true discipleship embraces the scandal of the cross, recognizing that Jesus, the "Bread of Life," truly gives His flesh for the life of the world ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - I Am the Living Bread")). Thus, the perceived difficulty of His words ultimately points to the profound, yet simple, truth of His atoning sacrifice, which, though foolishness to those who are perishing ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to Those Who are Perishing")), is the power of God to those who are being saved.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:66

From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

John 8:31

¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.

Matthew 11:6

And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John 6:41

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

John 6:42

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.