Matthew Henry Commentary John 6:66-71

"Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God. Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve." — John 6:66-71 (ASV)

When we allow ourselves to entertain critical thoughts about the words and works of Jesus, we enter into temptation, which, if the Lord in mercy does not prevent it, will end in falling away. The corrupt and wicked human heart often turns what is a source of the greatest comfort into an occasion for offense. Our Lord had, in the preceding discourse, promised eternal life to his followers; the disciples held fast to that plain saying and resolved to cling to him, while others fixated on difficult sayings and abandoned him.

Christ's doctrine is the word of eternal life; therefore, we must live and die by it. If we abandon Christ, we abandon our own blessings. They believed that this Jesus was the Messiah promised to their fathers, the Son of the living God. When we are tempted to backslide or turn away, it is good to remember first principles and to adhere to them.

And let us always remember our Lord's searching question: Should we go away and abandon our Redeemer? To whom can we go? He alone can give salvation by the forgiveness of sins. And this alone brings confidence, comfort, and joy, and makes fear and despondency flee.

It secures the only solid happiness in this world and opens a way to the happiness of the next.