John 6:67

Upon this sad event and defection of many, Christ confirmes his twelve Apostles, and yet warnes them, that all who were unsound, had not gone away at this defection. The way of confirming them, is by a question, posing them concerning their resolution, which drawes out an ample confession and Testimony of Peter, in name of the rest. From Christs question in this, ver. learn, 1. Christ is not much troubled, though never so many of the rotten croud do desert him; Therefore he never speaks a word to them, but only to the twelve. 2. When many are making defection, it may so shake even the soundest, that they will need warning and confirmation: Therefore doth he put them to it, if they also would go away. Even the godly have feeds of the same evils which draw others away; evil example is very forcible, especially when it is general; and sinne is very infectious, especially when it is carried on with plausible pretexts. And therefore it is no wonder if men be in hazard in such a case: And, backsliders are (beside their own defection) guilty of weakning the hands of others. 3. Albeit Christ stand not in need of any followers, nor needs he be anxious, though all should forsake him; yet he will take pains to confirme and keep such as are his own; Therefore doth he deale with the twelve. 4. The nearer Christs relations be to any, and the more proofes of love they have received, he will take it the worse, to be forsaken by them: And this should be a mean to keep such from defection; Therefore saith he, will ye also go away? intimating that their departure would touch him more then what all the rest had done, and therefore they should guard against it. 5. Whatever respect Christ have to any of his people, yet he will detain none against their will, but will have them a willing people who follow him; for this cause it is, that he puts it to themselves, will ye go away? to intimate, that he will not accept of them (though no moe were left) except they be willing. Which yet is not to be understood, as if he left it simply arbitrary to them, to do as they listed in it. But his speech insinuates a reproofe of them that went away, and therefore warns them to take heed they do not follow them. It is also a mean which he sanctifieth unto them, and ties them faster, while he seems to cast the rains loose. And withal, he who requires willing service, doth give to his own, to be willing.