we believe
Or, we have believed and come to understand that thou art the Holy One of God.
Context Summary
John 6:60-71 - The Sifting Of Jesus' Followers
The teaching of this chapter involves a deliberate act of Christ to arrest the revolutionary movement that was gathering around His person and making Him its figure-head, John 6:15. He therefore set Himself to teach that these people had misconceived the meaning of His ministry, which was not intended to raise a standard of revolt against Rome, but to lead to a spiritual revolution. The effect of His words was precisely what he expected, and must have shattered any ambitions that had begun to stir in the hearts of His disciples. In John 6:41 the men who the night before wished to crown Him, murmured at Him. In John 6:52 they strove among themselves. In John 6:60 many of His disciples said that His sayings were hard to be understood, and still harder to be obeyed. In John 6:66 many went back. And now as the shades of evening began to fall and the synagogue was almost empty, he was left alone with the little company of twelve, who had sorrowfully watched the overthrow of their hopes. Christ's pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. "Thy words give us and nourish within us the eternal life."
The questions on Section 1-28, to be found on pp. 232, 233, will serve as a review at this point. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 6
1Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes 15Thereupon the people would have made him king; 16but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples; 26reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word; 32declares himself to be the bread of life to believers 66Many disciples depart from him 68Peter confesses him 70Judas is a devil
Greek Commentary for John 6:69
We have believed [ημεις πεπιστευκαμεν] Perfect active indicative of πιστευω pisteuō “We have come to believe and still believe” (John 6:29). And know Same tense of γινωσκω ginōskō “We have come to know and still know.” Thou art the Holy One of God Bernard follows those who believe that this is John‘s report of the same confession given by the Synoptics (Mark 8:27.; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18.), an utterly unjustifiable conclusion. The details are wholly different. Here in the synagogue in Capernaum, there on Mt. Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. What earthly difficulty is there in supposing that Peter could make a noble confession twice? That is to my mind a wooden conception of the apostles in their growing apprehension of Christ. [source]
Are sure [ἐγνώκαμεν] Literally, have come to know. The order of the words believe and know is reversed in John 17:8; 1 John 4:16. In the case of the first disciples, faith, produced by the overpowering impression of Jesus' works and person, preceded intellectual conviction. [source]
That Christ, the Son of the living God [] The best texts substitute ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Θεοῦ , the holy one of God. The other reading has resulted from the attempt to bring Peter's confession here into accord with that in Matthew 16:16. The two confessions differ in that “here the confession points to the inward character in which the Apostles found the assurance of life; there the confession was of the public office and theocratic person of the Lord” (Westcott). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 6:69
Matthew 16:16 [] Peter is the spokesman now: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” ( Συ ει ο Χριστος ο υιος του τεου του ζωντος Su ei ho Christos ho huios tou theou tou zōntos ). It was a noble confession, but not a new claim by Jesus. Peter had made it before ( John 6:69 ) when the multitude deserted Jesus in Capernaum. Since the early ministry (John 4) Jesus had avoided the word Messiah because of its political meaning to the people. But now Peter plainly calls Jesus the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of the God the living one (note the four Greek articles). This great confession of Peter means that he and the other disciples believe in Jesus as the Messiah and are still true to him in spite of the defection of the Galilean populace (John 6). [source]
Mark 1:24What have we to do with thee? [τι ημιν και σοι] Hence the demon feared that Jesus was come to destroy him and the man in his power. In Matthew 8:29 the demon calls Jesus “Son of God.” Later the disciples will call Jesus “The Holy One of God” (John 6:69). The demon cried out aloud (ανεκραχεν anekraxen late first aorist form, ανεκραγεν anekragen common second aorist) so that all heard the strange testimony to Jesus. The man says “I know” (οιδα oida), correct text, some manuscripts “we know” (οιδαμεν oidamen), including the demon. [source]
Mark 8:29Thou art the Christ [Συ ει ο Χριστος] Mark does not give “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) or “of God” (Luke 9:20). The full confession is the form in Matthew. Luke‘s language means practically the same, while Mark‘s is the briefest. But the form in Mark really means the full idea. Mark omits all praise of Peter, probably because Peter had done so in his story of the incident. For criticism of the view that Matthew‘s narrative is due to ecclesiastical development and effort to justify ecclesiastical prerogatives, see discussion on Matthew 16:16,Matthew 16:18. The disciples had confessed him as Messiah before. Thus John 1:41; John 4:29; John 6:69; Matthew 14:33. But Jesus had ceased to use the word Messiah to avoid political complications and a revolutionary movement (John 6:14.). But did the disciples still believe in Jesus as Messiah after all the defections and oppositions seen by them? It was a serious test to which Jesus now put them. [source]
John 1:49Thou art the Son of God [συ ει ο υιος του τεου] Whether Nathanael had heard the Baptist say this of Jesus (John 1:34) we do not know, apparently not, but Nathanael was a student of the Old Testament as Philip implied (John 1:45) and was quick to put together his knowledge, the statement of Philip, and the manifest supernatural knowledge of Jesus as just shown. There is no reason for toning down the noble confession of Nathanael in the light of Christ‘s claim in John 1:51. Cf. the confession of Peter in John 6:69; Matthew 16:16 and Martha‘s in John 11:27. Nathanael goes further. Thou art King of Israel To us this seems an anti-climax, but not so to Nathanael for both are Messianic titles in Psalm 2:1-12 and Jesus is greeted in the Triumphal Entry as the King of Israel (John 12:13). [source]
John 11:27Yea, Lord [Ναι κυριε] Martha probably did not understand all that Jesus said and meant, but she did believe in the future resurrection, in eternal life for believers in Christ, in the power of Christ to raise even the dead here and now. She had heroic faith and makes now her own confession of faith in words that outrank those of Peter in Matthew 16:16 because she makes hers with her brother dead now four days and with the hope that Jesus will raise him up now. I have believed (πιστευω pepisteuka). Perfect active indicative of οτι συ ει ο Χριστος ο υιος του τεου pisteuō It is my settled and firm faith. Peter uses this same tense in John 6:69. That thou art the Son of God (ο εις τον κοσμον ερχομενος hoti su ei ho Christos ho huios tou theou). The Messiah or the Christ (John 1:41) was to be also “the Son of God” as the Baptist said he had found Jesus to be (John 1:34), as Peter confessed on Hermon for the apostles (Matthew 16:16), as Jesus claimed to be (John 11:41) and confessed on oath before Caiaphas that he was (Matthew 26:63.), and as John stated that it was his purpose to prove in his Gospel (John 20:31). But no one said it under more trying circumstances than Martha. Even he that cometh into the world (ho eis ton kosmon erchomenos). No “even” in the Greek. This was a popular way of putting the people‘s expectation (John 6:14; Matthew 11:3). Jesus himself spoke of his coming into the world (John 9:39; John 16:28; John 8:37). [source]
John 17:8The words [τα ρηματα] Plural, each word of God, as in John 3:34, and of Christ (John 5:47; John 6:63,John 6:68), while the singular Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō like ελαβον elabon in contrast with εγνωκαν egnōkan (perfect) in John 17:7. They definitely “received and recognized truly” There was comfort to Christ in this fact. They believed Another aorist parallel with ελαβον elabon and εγνωσαν egnōsan The disciples believed in Christ‘s mission from the Father (John 6:69; Matthew 16:16). Note απεστειλας apesteilas here as in John 17:3. Christ is God‘s Apostle to man (Hebrews 3:1). This statement, like a solemn refrain (Του διδστ σενδ με Thou didst send me), occurs five times in this prayer (John 17:8,John 17:18,John 17:21,John 17:23,John 17:25). [source]
John 17:11And these [και ουτοι] Note adversative use of και kai (= but these). I come Futuristic present, “I am coming.” Cf. John 13:3; John 14:12; John 17:13. Christ will no longer be visibly present to the world, but he will be with the believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). Holy Father Only here in the N.T., but see 1 John 2:20; Luke 1:49 for the holiness of God, a thoroughly Jewish conception. See John 6:69 where Peter calls Jesus ο αγιος του τεου ho hagios tou theou For the word applied to saints see Acts 9:13. See John 17:25 for πατηρ δικαιε patēr dikaie (Righteous Father). Keep them First aorist (constative) active imperative of τηρεω tēreō as now specially needing the Father‘s care with Jesus gone (urgency of the aorist tense in prayer). Which Locative case of the neuter relative singular, attracted from the accusative ο ho to the case of the antecedent ονοματι onomati (name). That they may be one Purpose clause with ινα hina and the present active subjunctive of ειμι eimi (that they may keep on being). Oneness of will and spirit This is Christ‘s prayer for all believers, for unity, not for organic union of which we hear so much. The disciples had union, but lacked unity or oneness of spirit as was shown this very evening at the supper (Luke 22:24; John 13:4-15). Jesus offers the unity in the Trinity (three persons, but one God) as the model for believers. The witness of the disciples will fail without harmony (John 17:21). [source]
1 John 2:20From the Holy One [απο του αγιου] They receive this anointing of the Holy Spirit from the Anointed One, Jesus Christ (the Holy One). Cf. John 6:69; Acts 3:14.And ye know all things (και οιδατε παντα kai oidate panta). But the best MSS. read παντες pantes rather than παντα panta “Ye all know it.” This anointing is open to all Christians, not just a select few. [source]
Revelation 3:7The holy, he that is true [ο αγιοσ ο αλητινος] Separate articles (four in all) for each item in this description. “The holy, the genuine.” Asyndeton in the Greek. Latin Vulgate, Sanctus et Verus. αγιος Hosea hagios is ascribed to God in Revelation 4:8; Revelation 6:10 (both αλητινος hagios and αλητινος alēthinos as here), but to Christ in Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 4:27,Acts 4:30; 1 John 2:20, a recognized title of the Messiah as the consecrated one set apart. Swete notes that αλητης alēthinos is verus as distinguished from verax So it is applied to God in Revelation 6:10 and to Christ in Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11 as in John 1:9; John 6:32; John 15:1.He that hath the key of David (και ουδεις κλεισει ho echōn tēn klein Daueid). This epithet comes from Isaiah 22:22, where Eliakim as the chief steward of the royal household holds the keys of power. Christ as the Messiah (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16) has exclusive power in heaven, on earth, and in Hades (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 28:18; Romans 14:9; Philemon 2:9.; Revelation 1:18). Christ has power to admit and exclude of his own will (Matthew 25:10.; Ephesians 1:22; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:16).And none shall shut Charles calls the structure Hebrew (future active indicative of ο ανοιγων kleiō), and not Greek because it does not correspond to the present articular participle just before και ουδεις ανοιγει ho anoigōn (the one opening), but it occurs often in this book as in the very next clause, “and none openeth” (κλειων kai oudeis anoigei) over against κλειει kleiōn (present active participle, opening) though here some MSS. read kleiei (present active indicative, open). [source]
What do the individual words in John 6:69 mean?
andwehave believedhave knownthatYouaretheHoly One-of God
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: πιστεύω
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
Greek Commentary for John 6:69
Perfect active indicative of πιστευω pisteuō “We have come to believe and still believe” (John 6:29). And know Same tense of γινωσκω ginōskō “We have come to know and still know.” Thou art the Holy One of God Bernard follows those who believe that this is John‘s report of the same confession given by the Synoptics (Mark 8:27.; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18.), an utterly unjustifiable conclusion. The details are wholly different. Here in the synagogue in Capernaum, there on Mt. Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. What earthly difficulty is there in supposing that Peter could make a noble confession twice? That is to my mind a wooden conception of the apostles in their growing apprehension of Christ. [source]
Literally, have come to know. The order of the words believe and know is reversed in John 17:8; 1 John 4:16. In the case of the first disciples, faith, produced by the overpowering impression of Jesus' works and person, preceded intellectual conviction. [source]
The best texts substitute ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Θεοῦ , the holy one of God. The other reading has resulted from the attempt to bring Peter's confession here into accord with that in Matthew 16:16. The two confessions differ in that “here the confession points to the inward character in which the Apostles found the assurance of life; there the confession was of the public office and theocratic person of the Lord” (Westcott). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 6:69
Peter is the spokesman now: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” ( Συ ει ο Χριστος ο υιος του τεου του ζωντος Su ei ho Christos ho huios tou theou tou zōntos ). It was a noble confession, but not a new claim by Jesus. Peter had made it before ( John 6:69 ) when the multitude deserted Jesus in Capernaum. Since the early ministry (John 4) Jesus had avoided the word Messiah because of its political meaning to the people. But now Peter plainly calls Jesus the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of the God the living one (note the four Greek articles). This great confession of Peter means that he and the other disciples believe in Jesus as the Messiah and are still true to him in spite of the defection of the Galilean populace (John 6). [source]
Hence the demon feared that Jesus was come to destroy him and the man in his power. In Matthew 8:29 the demon calls Jesus “Son of God.” Later the disciples will call Jesus “The Holy One of God” (John 6:69). The demon cried out aloud (ανεκραχεν anekraxen late first aorist form, ανεκραγεν anekragen common second aorist) so that all heard the strange testimony to Jesus. The man says “I know” (οιδα oida), correct text, some manuscripts “we know” (οιδαμεν oidamen), including the demon. [source]
Mark does not give “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) or “of God” (Luke 9:20). The full confession is the form in Matthew. Luke‘s language means practically the same, while Mark‘s is the briefest. But the form in Mark really means the full idea. Mark omits all praise of Peter, probably because Peter had done so in his story of the incident. For criticism of the view that Matthew‘s narrative is due to ecclesiastical development and effort to justify ecclesiastical prerogatives, see discussion on Matthew 16:16, Matthew 16:18. The disciples had confessed him as Messiah before. Thus John 1:41; John 4:29; John 6:69; Matthew 14:33. But Jesus had ceased to use the word Messiah to avoid political complications and a revolutionary movement (John 6:14.). But did the disciples still believe in Jesus as Messiah after all the defections and oppositions seen by them? It was a serious test to which Jesus now put them. [source]
Whether Nathanael had heard the Baptist say this of Jesus (John 1:34) we do not know, apparently not, but Nathanael was a student of the Old Testament as Philip implied (John 1:45) and was quick to put together his knowledge, the statement of Philip, and the manifest supernatural knowledge of Jesus as just shown. There is no reason for toning down the noble confession of Nathanael in the light of Christ‘s claim in John 1:51. Cf. the confession of Peter in John 6:69; Matthew 16:16 and Martha‘s in John 11:27. Nathanael goes further. Thou art King of Israel To us this seems an anti-climax, but not so to Nathanael for both are Messianic titles in Psalm 2:1-12 and Jesus is greeted in the Triumphal Entry as the King of Israel (John 12:13). [source]
Martha probably did not understand all that Jesus said and meant, but she did believe in the future resurrection, in eternal life for believers in Christ, in the power of Christ to raise even the dead here and now. She had heroic faith and makes now her own confession of faith in words that outrank those of Peter in Matthew 16:16 because she makes hers with her brother dead now four days and with the hope that Jesus will raise him up now. I have believed (πιστευω pepisteuka). Perfect active indicative of οτι συ ει ο Χριστος ο υιος του τεου pisteuō It is my settled and firm faith. Peter uses this same tense in John 6:69. That thou art the Son of God (ο εις τον κοσμον ερχομενος hoti su ei ho Christos ho huios tou theou). The Messiah or the Christ (John 1:41) was to be also “the Son of God” as the Baptist said he had found Jesus to be (John 1:34), as Peter confessed on Hermon for the apostles (Matthew 16:16), as Jesus claimed to be (John 11:41) and confessed on oath before Caiaphas that he was (Matthew 26:63.), and as John stated that it was his purpose to prove in his Gospel (John 20:31). But no one said it under more trying circumstances than Martha. Even he that cometh into the world (ho eis ton kosmon erchomenos). No “even” in the Greek. This was a popular way of putting the people‘s expectation (John 6:14; Matthew 11:3). Jesus himself spoke of his coming into the world (John 9:39; John 16:28; John 8:37). [source]
Plural, each word of God, as in John 3:34, and of Christ (John 5:47; John 6:63, John 6:68), while the singular Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō like ελαβον elabon in contrast with εγνωκαν egnōkan (perfect) in John 17:7. They definitely “received and recognized truly” There was comfort to Christ in this fact. They believed Another aorist parallel with ελαβον elabon and εγνωσαν egnōsan The disciples believed in Christ‘s mission from the Father (John 6:69; Matthew 16:16). Note απεστειλας apesteilas here as in John 17:3. Christ is God‘s Apostle to man (Hebrews 3:1). This statement, like a solemn refrain (Του διδστ σενδ με Thou didst send me), occurs five times in this prayer (John 17:8, John 17:18, John 17:21, John 17:23, John 17:25). [source]
Note adversative use of και kai (= but these). I come Futuristic present, “I am coming.” Cf. John 13:3; John 14:12; John 17:13. Christ will no longer be visibly present to the world, but he will be with the believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). Holy Father Only here in the N.T., but see 1 John 2:20; Luke 1:49 for the holiness of God, a thoroughly Jewish conception. See John 6:69 where Peter calls Jesus ο αγιος του τεου ho hagios tou theou For the word applied to saints see Acts 9:13. See John 17:25 for πατηρ δικαιε patēr dikaie (Righteous Father). Keep them First aorist (constative) active imperative of τηρεω tēreō as now specially needing the Father‘s care with Jesus gone (urgency of the aorist tense in prayer). Which Locative case of the neuter relative singular, attracted from the accusative ο ho to the case of the antecedent ονοματι onomati (name). That they may be one Purpose clause with ινα hina and the present active subjunctive of ειμι eimi (that they may keep on being). Oneness of will and spirit This is Christ‘s prayer for all believers, for unity, not for organic union of which we hear so much. The disciples had union, but lacked unity or oneness of spirit as was shown this very evening at the supper (Luke 22:24; John 13:4-15). Jesus offers the unity in the Trinity (three persons, but one God) as the model for believers. The witness of the disciples will fail without harmony (John 17:21). [source]
Christ. See John 6:69; Acts 3:14; Acts 4:27, Acts 4:30; Revelation 3:7. [source]
They receive this anointing of the Holy Spirit from the Anointed One, Jesus Christ (the Holy One). Cf. John 6:69; Acts 3:14.And ye know all things (και οιδατε παντα kai oidate panta). But the best MSS. read παντες pantes rather than παντα panta “Ye all know it.” This anointing is open to all Christians, not just a select few. [source]
Separate articles (four in all) for each item in this description. “The holy, the genuine.” Asyndeton in the Greek. Latin Vulgate, Sanctus et Verus. αγιος Hosea hagios is ascribed to God in Revelation 4:8; Revelation 6:10 (both αλητινος hagios and αλητινος alēthinos as here), but to Christ in Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 4:27, Acts 4:30; 1 John 2:20, a recognized title of the Messiah as the consecrated one set apart. Swete notes that αλητης alēthinos is verus as distinguished from verax So it is applied to God in Revelation 6:10 and to Christ in Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11 as in John 1:9; John 6:32; John 15:1.He that hath the key of David (και ουδεις κλεισει ho echōn tēn klein Daueid). This epithet comes from Isaiah 22:22, where Eliakim as the chief steward of the royal household holds the keys of power. Christ as the Messiah (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16) has exclusive power in heaven, on earth, and in Hades (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 28:18; Romans 14:9; Philemon 2:9.; Revelation 1:18). Christ has power to admit and exclude of his own will (Matthew 25:10.; Ephesians 1:22; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:16).And none shall shut Charles calls the structure Hebrew (future active indicative of ο ανοιγων kleiō), and not Greek because it does not correspond to the present articular participle just before και ουδεις ανοιγει ho anoigōn (the one opening), but it occurs often in this book as in the very next clause, “and none openeth” (κλειων kai oudeis anoigei) over against κλειει kleiōn (present active participle, opening) though here some MSS. read kleiei (present active indicative, open). [source]