John 6:66
New International Version
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

New Living Translation
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

English Standard Version
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

Berean Standard Bible
From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.

Berean Literal Bible
From that time, many of His disciples departed to the back and no longer walked with Him.

King James Bible
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

New King James Version
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

New American Standard Bible
As a result of this many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him.

NASB 1995
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

NASB 1977
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore.

Legacy Standard Bible
As a result of this many of His disciples went away and were not walking with Him anymore.

Amplified Bible
As a result of this many of His disciples abandoned Him, and no longer walked with Him.

Christian Standard Bible
From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
From that moment many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him.

American Standard Version
Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Contemporary English Version
Because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him.

English Revised Version
Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus' speech made many of his disciples go back to the lives they had led before they followed Jesus.

Good News Translation
Because of this, many of Jesus' followers turned back and would not go with him any more.

International Standard Version
As a result, many of his disciples turned back and no longer associated with him.

Majority Standard Bible
From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.

NET Bible
After this many of his disciples quit following him and did not accompany him any longer.

New Heart English Bible
At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon many of His disciples left Him and went away, and no longer associated with Him.

World English Bible
At this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From this [time] many of His disciples went away backward, and were no longer walking with Him,

Berean Literal Bible
From that time, many of His disciples departed to the back and no longer walked with Him.

Young's Literal Translation
From this time many of his disciples went away backward, and were no more walking with him,

Smith's Literal Translation
From this many of his disciples went away back, and walked no more with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After this, many of his disciples went back, and they no longer walked with him.

New American Bible
As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.

New Revised Standard Version
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Just because of this saying, a great many of his disciples turned away, and did not walk with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this saying, many of his disciples went back and were not walking with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
After this, many of his disciples went back, and walked with him no more.

Godbey New Testament
Moreover from this many of His disciples went back, and walked with Him no more.

Haweis New Testament
From that discourse many of his disciples went away back, and no more followed him about.

Mace New Testament
From that time many of his disciples withdrew, and associated no longer with him.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon many of His disciples left Him and went away, and no longer associated with Him.

Worrell New Testament
From this time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.

Worsley New Testament
From this time many of his disciples went away, and walked no more with Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter's Confession of Faith
65Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” 66From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. 67So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”…

Cross References
John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

Matthew 13:20-21
The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. / But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.

2 Timothy 4:10
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Matthew 24:10
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Mark 4:16-17
Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy. / But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

2 Peter 2:20-22
If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. / It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. / Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Hebrews 10:38-39
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” / But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.


Treasury of Scripture

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

of his.

John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

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;

Zephaniah 1:6
And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.

Jump to Previous
Anymore Associated Backward Disciples Drew Followed Longer Result Thereupon Time Turned Walked Walking Withdrew
Jump to Next
Anymore Associated Backward Disciples Drew Followed Longer Result Thereupon Time Turned Walked Walking Withdrew
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.














From that time on
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. The Greek word used here, "ἐκ τούτου" (ek toutou), indicates a specific turning point. Historically, this moment follows Jesus' teaching on being the Bread of Life, which was difficult for many to accept. It signifies a transition in His ministry where the focus shifts from large crowds to a more intimate group of true believers. This turning point challenges us to consider the moments in our own spiritual journey where we must decide to follow Christ more deeply, even when His teachings challenge our understanding.

many of His disciples
The term "disciples" here, "μαθηταί" (mathētai), refers not only to the Twelve Apostles but to a broader group of followers who had been learning from Jesus. The use of "many" suggests that a significant number of these followers were not ready to accept the full implications of Jesus' teachings. This highlights the distinction between mere followers and true disciples, urging us to examine the depth of our own commitment to Christ.

turned back
The Greek word "ἀπῆλθον" (apēlthon) conveys a sense of departure or withdrawal. This was not a casual leaving but a decisive turning away from Jesus. Historically, this reflects the growing tension and division among those who heard Jesus' radical claims about His identity and mission. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality that not all who hear the gospel will choose to follow it.

and no longer walked with Him
The phrase "no longer walked with Him" uses the Greek "περιεπάτουν" (periepatoun), which implies a continuous action of walking or living life with someone. This indicates a complete cessation of their relationship with Jesus. In the scriptural context, walking with Jesus symbolizes living in accordance with His teachings and being in fellowship with Him. This departure underscores the challenge of maintaining faithfulness in the face of difficult teachings and the importance of perseverance in our walk with Christ.

(66) From that time.--The addition of the word "time" has given a definite and questionable meaning to the Greek, which is indefinite. "From that" probably means on that account, because of the words He had spoken. The actual departure was the result of the teaching, which tested their faith and found it wanting, and was at that time, not gradually from that time onwards. (Comp. Note on John 19:12.)

Many of his disciples.--Co-extensive with the same term in John 6:60.

Verse 66. - Upon this (ἐκ τούτου; cf. ἐξ οῦ, equivalent to qua propter). Not "from that time forwards," not a gradual thinning down or departure of some disciples, one today and another tomorrow, but a kind of rush and stampede took place. Those who a few hours before were ready to call him their Messianic King, were entirely disenchanted. The claims of Christ were so profoundly different from what they anticipated that upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. The fascination those felt who had seen some of the excellences of Jesus led them to put themselves at his disposal, to wait upon him, to desert their ordinary occupations. Hence part of the phraseology of redemption was derived from the method of Christ. Men "came" to him; they "followed" him; they "walked" with him; they could "go back," desert, forsake their Lord. These actions of his first disciples have created the vocabulary of the kingdom of God. Christ's teaching tested as well as attracted men. There was a repellent force as well as an infinite fascination. He sifted as well as saved. The very deeds and words that broke some hearts into penitence roused impatient and angry remonstrance in others. There is seen in this Gospel a continual departure and a deepening faith.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
From
Ἐκ (Ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

that [time on],
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

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.

turned back
ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

no longer
οὐκέτι (ouketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.

walked
περιεπάτουν (periepatoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

Him.
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.


Links
John 6:66 NIV
John 6:66 NLT
John 6:66 ESV
John 6:66 NASB
John 6:66 KJV

John 6:66 BibleApps.com
John 6:66 Biblia Paralela
John 6:66 Chinese Bible
John 6:66 French Bible
John 6:66 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 6:66 At this many of his disciples went (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 6:65
Top of Page
Top of Page