John 6:68

Authorized King James Version

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#2
οὖν
Then
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
αὐτῷ
him
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
#4
Σίμων
Simon
simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites
#5
Πέτρος
Peter
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
#6
Κύριε
Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#7
πρὸς
to
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,
#8
τίνα
whom
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#9
ἀπελευσόμεθα
shall we go
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
#10
ῥήματα
the words
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
#11
ζωῆς
life
life (literally or figuratively)
#12
αἰωνίου
of eternal
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
#13
ἔχεις
thou hast
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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