John 6:51-66

New International Version

⁵¹ I am the living bread^(A) that came down from heaven.^(B) Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”^(C)

⁵² Then the Jews^(D) began to argue sharply among themselves,^(E) “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

⁵³ Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh^(F) of the Son of Man^(G) and drink his blood,^(H) you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.^{(I) 55} For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.^{(J) 57} Just as the living Father sent me^(K) and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”^{(L) 59} He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples^(M) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”^(N)

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?^{(O) 62} Then what if you see the Son of Man^(P) ascend to where he was before!^{(Q) 63} The Spirit gives life;^(R) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known^(S) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.^{(T) 65} He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”^(U)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples^(V) turned back and no longer followed him.