Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying: who can hear it? (61) When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? (62) What, and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? (63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, That no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
What disciples were these which so expressed themselves? It could not be the Apostles. Neither was it any on whom a saving work of grace had been wrought in their heart. The word disciple is comprehensive of all that go after another. And, as our Lord told the great mass which followed him, that it was because they did eat of the loaves, and were filled, for which they came to him, so when they found that such carnal enjoyments were not likely any longer to take place, they took offence, and called Christ's sayings hard. But, Reader! I pray you, do not overlook the occasion Jesus took from their murmuring to drop some most sweet and precious discourse concerning himself and his people. See John 3:13 and Commentary.