King James Version

What Does John 6:60 Mean?

John 6:60 in the King James Version says “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” — study this verse from John chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 6:60 · KJV

Context

58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60

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

61

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? offend: or, scandalize, or, cause you to stumble

62

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

Read John 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? The phrase 'many...of his disciples' indicates not just the Twelve but a broader following. The adjective 'sklēros' (hard/harsh) means difficult, offensive, intolerable—not intellectually incomprehensible but morally repugnant. They understand what Jesus means (eating His flesh, drinking His blood, total dependence on Him) and find it unacceptable. The question 'who can hear it?' (tis dunatai autou akouein) expresses not inability but unwillingness. Reformed theology distinguishes between natural inability (the unregenerate cannot spiritually understand) and moral inability (the sinner will not submit to God's truth). These disciples possess natural understanding but lack spiritual illumination and willing submission. Their offense demonstrates that the gospel naturally offends human pride—salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone contradicts all human religious instincts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This marks a crisis point in Jesus's ministry. The 'hard saying' encompasses the entire bread discourse: Christ's claim to be from heaven (verse 38), the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (verses 53-56), and exclusive dependence on Him for eternal life (verse 53). First-century Jewish expectations for Messiah included political deliverance, national restoration, and Torah validation—not a crucified God-man who demands total dependence on His substitutionary death. The offense parallels Paul's later description: 'Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness' (1 Corinthians 1:23). John's community, expelled from synagogues decades later, would recognize that the gospel's offense continues—believing in Jesus still costs discipleship its cultural acceptability.

Reflection Questions

  1. What aspects of Jesus's teaching do you find 'hard' or offensive to natural human thinking?
  2. Why does the gospel necessarily offend before it saves?
  3. How do you distinguish between intellectual questions and moral unwillingness when people reject Christ's claims?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
Πολλοὶ1 of 17

“Many”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

οὖν2 of 17

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἀκούειν3 of 17

“hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἐκ4 of 17

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν5 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητῶν6 of 17

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ7 of 17

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἶπον,8 of 17

“this said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Σκληρός9 of 17

“an hard”

G4642

dry, i.e., hard or tough (figuratively, harsh, severe)

ἐστιν10 of 17

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

οὗτος·11 of 17

“This”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ὁ12 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγος13 of 17

“saying”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τίς14 of 17

“who”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

δύναται15 of 17

“can”

G1410

to be able or possible

αὐτοῦ16 of 17

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀκούειν17 of 17

“hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 6:60 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 6:60 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 6:66John 8:43John 8:31Matthew 11:6John 6:41-422 Peter 3:16

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