John 6:60
New International Version
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

New Living Translation
Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

English Standard Version
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

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

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore many of His disciples having heard, said, "This word is difficult; who is able to hear it?"

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

New King James Version
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

New American Standard Bible
So then many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This statement is very unpleasant; who can listen to it?”

NASB 1995
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”

NASB 1977
Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”

Amplified Bible
When many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This is a difficult and harsh and offensive statement. Who can [be expected to] listen to it?”

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, when many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard! Who can accept it?”

American Standard Version
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?

Contemporary English Version
Many of Jesus' disciples heard him and said, "This is too hard for anyone to understand."

English Revised Version
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When many of Jesus' disciples heard him, they said, "What he says is hard to accept. Who wants to listen to him anymore?"

Good News Translation
Many of his followers heard this and said, "This teaching is too hard. Who can listen to it?"

International Standard Version
When many of his disciples heard this, they said, "This is a difficult statement. Who can accept it?"

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

NET Bible
Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said, "This is a difficult saying! Who can understand it?"

New Heart English Bible
Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying. Who can listen to it?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?

Weymouth New Testament
Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is hard to accept. Who can listen to such teaching?"

World English Bible
Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
many, therefore, of His disciples having heard, said, “This word is hard; who is able to hear it?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore many of His disciples having heard, said, "This word is difficult; who is able to hear it?"

Young's Literal Translation
many, therefore, of his disciples having heard, said, 'This word is hard; who is able to hear it?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then many of his disciples, having heard, said, This is a hard word; who can hear it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, many of his disciples, upon hearing this, said: “This saying is difficult,” and, “Who is able to listen to it?”

New American Bible
Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

New Revised Standard Version
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Many of his disciples who heard it said, This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And many of his disciples who heard were saying, “This saying is hard. Who is able to hear it?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore, many of his disciples, when they heard him, said: This is a hard saying; who can hear it?

Godbey New Testament
Then many of His disciples, hearing, said, This is a hard sermon; who is able to hear it?

Haweis New Testament
Many therefore of his disciples, who heard him, said, Difficult is this discourse, who is able to fathom it?

Mace New Testament
when many of his disciples, who heard him, said, this is strange doctrine, who can hear it?

Weymouth New Testament
Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is hard to accept. Who can listen to such teaching?"

Worrell New Testament
Many, therefore, of His disciples, having heard this, said, "This is a hard saying! Who can hear it?"

Worsley New Testament
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard Him, said, This discourse is hard to be understood, who can take it in?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Many Disciples Turn Back
59Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?” 61Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you?…

Cross References
Matthew 11:6
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

Matthew 13:57
And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”

Mark 6:3
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.

Luke 4:22-24
All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked. / Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to Me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in Your hometown what we have heard that You did in Capernaum.’” / Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

John 3:12
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

John 8:43
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.

John 10:20
Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.

Romans 9:32-33
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, / as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2 Corinthians 2:16
To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

Galatians 5:11
Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

Hebrews 5:11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.


Treasury of Scripture

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

of his.

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;

This.

John 6:41,42
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven…

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.

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John 6
1. Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes.
15. Thereupon the people would have made him king;
16. but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples;
26. reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word;
32. declares himself to be the bread of life to believers.
66. Many disciples depart from him.
68. Peter confesses him.
70. Judas is a devil.














On hearing it
This phrase indicates a reaction to the preceding discourse of Jesus, particularly His teaching on being the Bread of Life. The Greek word for "hearing" is "ἀκούω" (akouo), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and processing the message. In the context of first-century Judea, oral teaching was a primary method of communication, and the audience's ability to comprehend was crucial. This phrase sets the stage for the disciples' struggle with the depth and challenge of Jesus' words.

many of His disciples
The term "disciples" here, from the Greek "μαθητής" (mathētēs), refers to more than just the Twelve Apostles. It includes a broader group of followers who were learning from Jesus. Historically, a disciple was a student or learner, someone who adhered to a teacher's instruction. The use of "many" suggests that this teaching was a turning point, causing a significant number of followers to question their commitment.

said
The Greek word "λέγω" (legō) is used here, which means to speak or say. This indicates a verbal expression of doubt or confusion. In the cultural context, speaking out was a way to express communal concerns or seek clarification. The disciples' verbal response highlights their struggle to reconcile Jesus' teachings with their existing beliefs.

This is a difficult teaching
The word "difficult" is translated from the Greek "σκληρός" (sklēros), meaning hard, harsh, or stern. This suggests that the teaching was not just intellectually challenging but also hard to accept emotionally and spiritually. The "teaching" refers to Jesus' discourse on eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which was a radical departure from Jewish dietary laws and expectations of the Messiah. This phrase captures the tension between Jesus' revolutionary message and the traditional beliefs of His followers.

Who can accept it?
The Greek word for "accept" is "ἀκούω" (akouo), which in this context means to embrace or follow. This rhetorical question underscores the disciples' struggle with faith and understanding. It reflects a broader theme in the Gospel of John: the challenge of true belief and the cost of discipleship. Historically, this question echoes the broader Jewish expectation of the Messiah and the difficulty of accepting a suffering servant rather than a conquering king.

(60) Many therefore of his disciples--i.e., of the disciples in the wider sense; those who more or less fully were accepting His teaching, and were regarded as His followers. From John 6:64, the Apostles would seem to be included in the more general designation. In John 6:67 they are separately addressed.

This is an hard saying; who can hear it?--i.e., not hard to be understood, but hard to hear, a stumbling-block in the way of their faith. For the word itself, comp. Matthew 25:24. His meaning was, indeed, not read by them, but the literal meaning was painfully clear, and one to which they will not listen. (Comp. John 10:20.) They do not raise any formal objection to Him, but friends and companions who had talked together of the Teacher and His teaching before, talk again now, and many of them who have followed Him up to this point can follow Him no more.

Verses 60-71. -

(4) The twofold effect of these instructions. Verses 60-66.-

(a) The unbelief of some, which led him to predict the ascension of his humanity to where HE was before. Verse 60. - Many therefore of his disciples. This word is used in a wider sense than of the twelve. The synoptists tell us of much labour already done in this neighbourhood, and a considerable harvest of souls reaped, so far as a general acknowledgement of his claims and an expectation that he was the Messiah was involved: When they heard it (i.e. the entire instruction given in open synagogue), said, This is a hard saying (λόγος cannot or need not be confined to any one of these ῤήματα, but may easily embrace them all). The discourse was σχληρός, harsh, the opposite of μαλακός, a word used by the unprofitable servant of his master (Matthew 25:24). It does not mean "hard to be understood," but difficult to accept or be content with. Luthardt here reiterates his conviction that there is no reference in it to the death of Christ, and that the disciples were simply unwilling to accept the idea of his supreme claims and his constant return to the. eating and drinking of his flesh and blood and identification of this eternal life with participation in his corporality. But surely Meyer and Wcstcott, etc., are far nearer to the truth in referring the expression to their unwillingness to accept the bloody death of their Messiah, or to entrust themselves to a Divine Personality whose most distinctive act would be his sacrifice. This was the gross and terrible offence which made the cross a stumbling block to the Jew (see John 12:34; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:11; Matthew 16:2l, etc.). Who is able to listen to him? This seems not only to be the possible, but most probable, translation of the genitive with ἀκούω. It was the language, not of "the Jews," but of "the disciples."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
On hearing [it],
ἀκούσαντες (akousantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

many
Πολλοὶ (Polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

said,
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“This
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a difficult
Σκληρός (Sklēros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4642: Hard, violent, harsh, stern. From the base of skelos; dry, i.e. Hard or tough.

teaching.
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

Who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

accept
ἀκούειν (akouein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

it?”
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: John 6:60 Therefore many of his disciples when they (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 6:59
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