John 6:68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 13
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
5 of 13
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 13
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 13
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τίνα
whom
G5101
τίνα
whom
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 13
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἀπελευσόμεθα
shall we go
G565
ἀπελευσόμεθα
shall we go
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
9 of 13
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
ῥήματα
the words
G4487
ῥήματα
the words
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
10 of 13
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
Cross References
Psalms 73:25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.Acts 5:20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Acts 7:38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.Matthew 16:16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.John 6:40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Historical Context
Peter often spoke for the Twelve, sometimes rashly. Here his confession is profound. He acknowledges confusion about Jesus' teaching but certainty about Jesus' uniqueness. This becomes a model response when following seems difficult—where else would we go? No one else offers eternal life.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Peter's 'where else would we go?' reveal about recognizing Christ's uniqueness?
- How can we remain committed when we don't fully understand?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.' Peter's response expresses both loyalty and logic. Where else could they go? Other teachers, philosophies, and religions offer less. Jesus alone has words of eternal life. Peter doesn't claim full understanding but recognizes exclusive sufficiency. There is no alternative that offers what Jesus provides.