“From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, ‘Will ye also go away?’” (John 6:66-67)
Why would a disciple turn his back on Jesus and go away? The word “disciple” does not always mean nor imply a saved person or a Christian. John the Baptist had disciples. John was the teacher, they were his learners. It was a school of John’s disciples. (Mt. 11:2; 14:12) The Pharisees claimed to be Moses’ disciples. (John 9:28) Judas was named as a disciple of Jesus, but the Bible is very clear to point out in several places that he was not a believer.
So these disciples in John 6:66 who went away were superficial hangers-on. They followed Jesus for the free bread. They were never saved. They were what Paul called Ananias the high priest in Acts 23:2-3, “a white washed wall.” Notice, Jesus never ran after them begging them to please come back. Today’s church-anity would have sent a delegation after them offering free pizza to all who returned. He asked the twelve, will you also go away?
Peter gives a confession here comparable to the one in Matthew 16:16. Lord, there is no other place to go. “We believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
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