=66, 67. From this many of his disciples went back.= _From this_ indicates both, as the English version represents, the _time_ from which this withdrawal dated, and also the _cause_ from which it proceeded. Observe that faithful preaching will drive some apparent disciples away from Christ. The minister, like his Master, will ever have the fan in his hand, and the gospel which he preaches will in some measure separate the chaff from the grain. This was illustrated in the experience of the apostle Paul. See Acts 13:44-46; 14:4; 17:12, 13, etc. “It will never be possible for us to exercise such caution that the doctrine of Christ shall not be the occasion of offence to many; because the reprobate, who are devoted to destruction, suck venom from the most wholesome food and gall from honey. The Son of God undoubtedly knew what was useful, and yet we see that he cannot avoid offending many of his disciples.”--(_Calvin._)--=Then said Jesus also to the twelve, Ye do not also wish to go away?= The tone is one of pathetic protest; the language that of one who felt keenly the desertion, and yearned for an expression of the fidelity of his immediate friends, not as an assurance, for he knew from the beginning who believed not, and therefore who believed and would endure, but as an utterance of loyalty and love. At the same time he leads them to a confession which draws them more closely and binds them more tenderly to himself. 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the[257] words of eternal life. [257] Acts 5:20; 7:38. 69 And [258]we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. [258] chaps. 1:29; 11:27; Matt. 16:16. =68, 69. Then Simon Peter answered.= As in Matt. 16:16, he speaks quickly, for all.--=Lord, to whom shall we go?= To go away from Christ is to go out even here into the darkness; unto loneliness, hopelessness, despair.--=Thou hast the words of eternal life.= As Martha’s utterance of her faith in John 11:27, so Peter’s declaration here is not wholly responsive to the discourse that has preceded. He does not fully comprehend the meaning of that personal feeding on Christ of which the Lord has been speaking; but he believes that Christ’s words, though he does not fully understand them, are words of, that is full of, eternal life, and that he is the Messiah and the Son of God. And in this faith he is content to await humbly till the full meaning of Christ’s enigmatical discourse shall be revealed to him, as it could not be till Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a[259] devil? [259] ch. 13:27. 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot _the son_ of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.