John 6:53-69

New International Version

⁵³ Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh^(A) of the Son of Man^(B) and drink his blood,^(C) 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.^{(D) 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.^{(E) 57} Just as the living Father sent me^(F) 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.”^{(G) 59} He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

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

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?^{(J) 62} Then what if you see the Son of Man^(K) ascend to where he was before!^{(L) 63} The Spirit gives life;^(M) 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^(N) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.^{(O) 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.”^(P)

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

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.^(R)

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him,^(S) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.^{(T) 69} We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”^(U)