*Therefore did I say to you.* The allusion is to what was said above (verse 44), which is substantially the same as what is said here, since to be drawn to Christ by the Father is nothing else than to be given grace by the Father to come to Christ. It might seem at first sight that these words excuse the incredulity of those whom Christ addresses; but it is not so. For, the reason they had not been drawn by the Father was because they _would_ not, because they had not followed the promptings of grace. See above on verse 45. “Peccabant tamen qui nolebant venire, id est credere in Christum, tum quia habebant gratiam sufficientem, qua possent credere si vellent, etsi non haberent efficacem, qua reipsa et actu crederent; tum quia humiliter non petebant a Deo gratiam efficacem, qua actu crederent: tum quia sua superbia aliisque peccatis illa gratia se fecerant indignos, imo pervicaces Dei gratiam et fidem repellebant et refutabant” (A Lap. on this verse). 67. Ex hoc multi discipulorum 67. After this many of his eius abierunt retro: et iam disciples went back; and non cum illo ambulabant. walked no more with him. 67. Had Christ in the preceding discourse spoken only of faith, surely, all‐merciful and loving as He is, He would have made His meaning clear, before allowing many of His disciples to depart from Him for ever. It was only, then, because they understood Him correctly, and refused to believe Him, that He allowed them to depart. 68. Dixit ergo Iesus ad 68. Then Jesus said to the duodecim: Numquid et vos twelve: will you also go away? vultis abire? 68. *The twelve.* These are spoken of as well known, though this is the first mention made of their number in this Gospel. *Will you also go away?* While the question implies that such desertion was to be feared, its form implies a negative answer, and suggests that in the case of the chosen twelve such conduct ought to be impossible. 69. Respondit ergo ei Simon 69. And Simon Peter answered Petrus: Domine, ad quem him: Lord, to whom shall we ibimus? verba vitae aeternae go? thou hast the words of habes: eternal life. 70. Et nos credidimus, et 70. And we have believed and cognovimus quia tu es Christus have known that thou art the Filius Dei. Christ the Son of God.