Bible Strands
John 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Simon Peter answers Jesus directly, after Jesus asked the Twelve whether they too intended to depart (v. 67). The moment follows the mass exodus of disciples over the "hard saying" of vv. 52–58.
The words — Kurie (κὺριε) is the vocative "Lord," a title Peter uses here as the ground of his argument, not mere courtesy. Pros tina (πρὸς τίνα) — "to whom" — frames the question as one of destination: the disciples are choosing a direction, not merely a topic.
The thread — Psalms 73:25 ("Whom have I in heaven but You?") mirrors the same exclusivity. The phrase "words of eternal life" ties to John 5:24 and 1 John 5:11, where eternal life is defined as belonging to the Son.
Why it lands — Peter's statement closes the door on alternatives; it is not a preference but a recognition that no other source offers what is claimed. The reader is asked to decide whether they are already committed to a lesser answer or are still shopping.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Cross-references
- Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
- John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
- 1 John 5:11 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
- John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
- Acts 4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
- Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- John 6:40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
- John 5:39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,