So Jesus asked the Twelve,This phrase indicates a direct address to the Twelve Apostles, the core group of Jesus' disciples. The context is after many of Jesus' followers had turned away due to His difficult teachings (
John 6:60-66). The Twelve were chosen by Jesus to be His closest companions and witnesses to His ministry (
Mark 3:14-19). This moment is significant as it tests their commitment. The number twelve is symbolic, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a new spiritual leadership for God's people.
“Do you want to leave too?”
This question is both a challenge and an invitation for the Twelve to examine their faith and commitment. It reflects Jesus' respect for human free will, allowing His disciples to choose to stay or leave. The question is set against the backdrop of widespread desertion, highlighting the cost of true discipleship. It echoes the covenantal choice presented to Israel inJoshua 24:15, where the people were asked to choose whom they would serve. This moment foreshadows the testing of faith that all believers may face, emphasizing the necessity of personal conviction in following Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is teaching His disciples and challenging their faith and commitment.
2.
The TwelveRefers to the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, representing His closest followers and the foundation of the early Church.
3.
CapernaumThe location where much of Jesus' ministry took place, including the discourse on the Bread of Life, which precedes this verse.
4.
The Bread of Life DiscourseA significant teaching of Jesus where He declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, leading to confusion and desertion among many followers.
5.
Desertion of DisciplesPrior to this verse, many of Jesus' followers abandon Him due to the challenging nature of His teachings.
Teaching Points
Commitment to ChristJesus' question to the Twelve is a call to evaluate their commitment. True discipleship requires a decision to follow Christ, even when His teachings are difficult to understand or accept.
Faith in Challenging TimesThe context of this verse highlights the importance of faith during times of confusion or doubt. Believers are encouraged to trust in Jesus' words and character, even when others turn away.
The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing Jesus may lead to moments of decision where one must choose between the comfort of the familiar and the challenge of the unknown. This verse invites believers to consider the cost and rewards of true discipleship.
Personal Reflection and DecisionEach believer must personally respond to Jesus' question. This involves a heart-check to determine if one is truly committed to following Him, regardless of circumstances.
Community and SupportThe role of the Twelve as a community of believers underscores the importance of fellowship and support in maintaining faith and commitment to Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 6:67?
2.How does John 6:67 challenge your commitment to follow Jesus daily?
3.What does Jesus' question in John 6:67 reveal about true discipleship?
4.How can John 6:67 inspire perseverance in your faith journey?
5.Connect John 6:67 with Matthew 16:24 about taking up your cross.
6.How can you respond to Jesus' question in John 6:67 in your life?
7.Why did Jesus ask, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" in John 6:67?
8.What prompted Jesus to question His disciples' loyalty in John 6:67?
9.How does John 6:67 challenge the concept of free will in Christianity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 6?
11.Why did Jesus select Judas Iscariot as a disciple?
12.What motivated Judas to betray Jesus?
13.What is the significance of the Sea of Galilee story?
14.Who were Jesus' closest disciples?What Does John 6:67 Mean
So“From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” (John 6:66)
• The little word “So” ties verse 67 to the mass departure in verse 66. A real crisis moment has arrived—people who once followed Jesus have just walked away because His teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53-60) seemed too hard.
• Similar turning points appear throughout Scripture, such as when Israel balked at entering Canaan (Numbers 14:1-4) or when Demas deserted Paul “because he loved this world” (2 Timothy 4:10).
• “So” reminds us that Jesus always responds to unbelief with truth, never watering it down (Matthew 13:57-58).
Jesus asked“He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.” (John 2:25)
• The Lord is omniscient; He already knows the hearts of His disciples (John 13:11). Yet He still asks, inviting them to verbalize their commitment.
• God’s questions are often designed to expose the heart—think of “Where are you?” to Adam (Genesis 3:9) or “Whom shall I send?” to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8).
• By asking, Jesus dignifies the Twelve with the responsibility of a personal decision (Joshua 24:15).
the Twelve“Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority” (Matthew 10:1).
• Though many “disciples” just left, the core group remains. Their smaller number highlights the cost of true allegiance (Luke 14:25-28).
• The Twelve symbolize the renewed people of God, paralleling the twelve tribes (Revelation 21:12-14). Their response will ripple out to future generations (Ephesians 2:20).
• Even within this intimate band, there is still a Judas (John 6:70-71), proving that nearness to Jesus in body does not guarantee faith in spirit (1 John 2:19).
Do you want to leave too?“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)
• The question is blunt. Jesus does not manipulate or plead; He lays the options plainly—stay or go (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
• True faith is a willing choice birthed by God’s grace (John 6:65) yet exercised personally (Romans 10:9-10).
• Peter’s famous reply in the next verse, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68), showcases genuine belief: recognition of need, conviction of truth, and attachment to Christ alone (Acts 4:12).
• The cost of leaving is far greater than the cost of staying; those who abandon Him forfeit the “words of eternal life” (Hebrews 10:38-39).
summaryJohn 6:67 captures a pivotal fork in the road. After many walk away, Jesus turns to the Twelve—not demanding but inviting a choice. His piercing question exposes hearts, separating curiosity from commitment. The scene reminds us that following Christ is never crowd-driven; it is a personal, informed, and wholehearted decision to stay with the One who alone holds eternal life.
(67)
Will ye also go away?--We have to think of the disciples grouped round Him, the Twelve--now a distinct body, and so well known that St. John names them for the first time without a note--being nearer to Him than the rest, and of these the first four (see Note on
Matthew 10:2) the nearest. Many go away from Him. Men He had taught, borne with in all their weakness and darkness, watched as some light seemed to dawn upon them, hoped for, prayed for, lived for, and would die for, turn back. Yes; that heart, too, can feel the bitterness of disappointment. He looks at the Twelve close to Him, and says to them,
Ye also do not wish to go away? The question expects the answer it receives. There He has hope still.
Verses 67-71. -
(b)The loyalty of the twelve, with a note of prophetic warning.Verse 67. -Jesus therefore said unto the twelve. He spake to them because of the wide defection from his ranks. "The twelve" have never been mentioned before in the Gospel, but this passing reference reveals acquaintance with the fact on the part of the evangelist. He assumes the historic number as perfectly explicable to his readers. The reference to thetwelve baskets in ver. 13 almost presupposes that there were the same number of disciples, and this pathetic appeal is in harmony with the synoptic account of their "call."Would ye also go away?Μὴ θέκλετε suggests a negative answer, "Ye cannot wish, can you?" (Meyer). Godet says, on the contrary, "If you wish, you can!" Westcott, "The form of the question implies that such desertion is incredible, and yet to be feared" (cf.John 7:47, 52;John 18:17, 25). The question is far from identical with that query which once more the Lord put to the twelve, after many subsequent months of varied activity and critical discourse, which showed how Jesus had at length broken with the narrow literalism of Judaic privilege, On that occasion he was summing up the varied convictions produced upon the Galilaean multitudes, and he asked, "But whom say ye that I am?" Here he is simply suggesting the possibility, but yet the incredibility, of his desertion by the twelve apostles, merely because he had affirmed the spiritual aims of his entire mission, and had made an unreserved offer of his Divine humanity to their need. The pathos of this inquiry shows how serious a crisis was being enacted. It has reference in its issues rather to himself than to the twelve. The critical school see in this verse the Johannine treatment of the great apostolic confession, and Weiss here agrees with it. Even Godet thinks that two such questions with their answers, under comparatively similar conditions, are improbable. He suggests that theἐκ τούτου (ver. 66) points to a great scattering, and that months may have elapsed before the scene which John here condenses. It is more likely that John omits the later scene, and prefers to give this, which stands closely related with the immediate circumstances (cf. alsoLuke 9.). The context and surrounding of the scene inMatthew 16:13-17 andMark 8:27-29 appear to differ in place, occasion, query, and answer, and in the corresponding teaching that followed. The question was "the anticipation of Gethsemane" (Edersheim).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Soοὖν(oun)Conjunction
Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.askedεἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.theτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Twelve,δώδεκα(dōdeka)Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1427:Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.“Do youὑμεῖς(hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.wantθέλετε(thelete)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2309:To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.to leaveὑπάγειν(hypagein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5217:To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.too?”καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.
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NT Gospels: John 6:67 Jesus said therefore to the twelve You (Jhn Jo Jn) 
