What is the meaning of John 6:70? Jesus answered them Jesus steps into the tense moment created by many disciples walking away (John 6:66). • His answer isn’t a debate; it’s a decisive word that pierces the hearts of those who remain, just as He did in John 6:67, “So Jesus asked the Twelve, ‘Do you want to leave too?’” • Throughout the Gospels, Jesus’ replies reveal His authority and foreknowledge—compare His similar, penetrating statements in Matthew 16:15 and John 2:24-25. • By answering, He directs the conversation back to Himself, making the issue not the hard teaching but their relationship to Him. Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Here Jesus highlights His sovereign initiative. • Luke 6:13 recounts the historical moment: “When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them.” Their apostleship rests on His choice, not their merit. • John 15:16 echoes the same truth: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you.” • The number twelve matters; it links back to the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28), showing Jesus forming the nucleus of the new covenant people. • His choosing underscores security for the faithful—Peter affirms, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68)—yet also sets the stage for accountability. Yet one of you is a devil! The stark contrast jolts the group. • Jesus knows Judas’s hidden agenda long before it unfolds (John 6:71). In John 13:2 “the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot… to betray Him.” • Calling Judas “a devil” exposes the spiritual influence at work; it matches John 8:44 where Jesus says, “You belong to your father, the devil,” underscoring that allegiance is revealed by actions. • Even among the closest circle, counterfeit faith can lurk. Acts 1:16 reminds us, “The Scripture had to be fulfilled… concerning Judas.” God’s plan is never thwarted, yet human responsibility remains. • The warning rings for every believer: proximity to Jesus’ people and miracles does not equal genuine surrender (Hebrews 3:12). summary John 6:70 blends comfort and caution. Jesus’ sovereign choice secures His true followers, while His exposure of Judas shows that hidden unbelief will not escape His gaze. The verse assures us of Christ’s control over His mission and invites each heart to genuine, enduring faith in the One who knows us completely. |
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