John 6:68–69

Followeth the Apostles answer to this question, given by Peter in name of the rest. Wherein, 1. By a contrary question, he professeth their constancy, and that they knew none beside, to whom they could or would go, and therefore would adhere to him. 2. He gives reasons for this his assertion, taken from Christs sweet and precious doctrine, ver. 68. and from their faith and assurance concerning his offices and person, that he is the true Messiah, the Sonne of God, ver. 69.

From ver. 68. Learn, 1. Were they never so many who make defection from Christ, and think little of his company, yet there will still some be found of another stamp; as here we see in Peter. 2. Men may be of a more forward and ready spirit, in some outward actings for Christ, then others, who yet are as honest as they; Therefore Peter appeares with the first, not because he was the eldest professour, for Andrew was called before him, nor yet because he had more faith and love to Christ then the rest, for we may conceive that (at least) the beloved disciple came not behind with him; But it flowed from his forward spirit and temper, which as sometime it made him foremost in good, so at other times it drave him as far wrong, that he might be humbled. 3. As hypocrites may lurk for a time undiscerned by others, even in shaking times; So true grace makes men charitable of others, so long as they bewray not their unsoundnesse by visible effects: And it is a sweet companion of gracious forwardnesse and zeal, to be charitable, and not when men are rigide censurers of others; Therefore forward Peter answers in name of all, (we,) not secluding Judas. And however his charity was mistaken, yet he could judge no otherwise of him, seeing he stayed still when the rest went away. See 1 Cor. 13.7. 4. Man since the fall is so empty and poore a creature, that he must have somewhat without him, to delight and rest in for happinesse; and if he do not choose Christ, he will put some other thing in his place: for, Peters question imports, that if they went away from Christ, they behooved to go to some other, to whom shall we go? 5. Such as have a minde to quit Christ, had need to consider first where they will get a better Master, and that change when they will, they will surely change for the worse; for, to whom shall we go? saith he, as never looking for such entertainment any where, as they had with him. 6. True disciples, and such as know Christs singular excellency, will not endure to hear of any separation from him; for, this question imports his abhorrence of going away from such a Lord to any other. And all they who would close and walk with him sincerely, should study and learn to know him to be the chiefe and most excellent of choices. 7 Such as would stand fast in times of defection, should have frequent thoughts of eternity, and of the life that is laid up there for such as are sincere; Therefore Peter fixes his eye on eternal life, and where that may be found which leads to it, when he is about the choice of a Master. 8. The doctrine of Christ and of the Gospel is the only doctrine of eternal life; It not only manifests and brings to light, that there is an eternal life, and makes offer of it, but it points out the only right purchase of it, and way to it; It is the mean of regeneration and begetting of faith, and being embraced, doth give a right unto eternal life, and the first fruits of it, till they come to full possession; Therefore is his doctrine called the words of eternal life. And in all these respects, it is preferred above the doctrine of all the Philosophers, and in most of them, not only above the corrupt doctrine of these times wherein Christ lived, but even above the Law of Moses, as it is considered in opposition to him, or without him. 9. Whatever be the verdict that corrupt men give of Christs doctrine; yet sincere disciples will judge of it according as it is, and as he accounts of it; for, what others accounted an hard saying, ver 60 Peter reckons to be words of eternal life, according to Christs own verdict, ver. 63. 10. Such as are seriously minding eternal life, will cleave to the true doctrine that leades to it, and will not abandon it nor the messengers thereof, no not in times of greatest defection; for, it is one reason why they will not leave him, not only because he is the Messiah, but he hath the words of eternal life. 11. It is Christs special prerogative, and the reason of sincere professours their cleaving to him, that he hath the words of eternal life in a peculiar manner; Being not only the dispenser and Minister thereof in the dayes of his flesh, and that in a way of authority, sweetnesse, and efficacy, proper to himselfe; But being also the purchaser of these glad tydings; and being he who gives commission to all that preach them, and he who gives efficacy thereunto, to make them the power of God to salvation; for, Peter, in all their names, professeth that they do cleave to him, as he who, in all these respects, hath the words of eternal life.

From ver. 69. Learn, 1. It is the duty of sincere professours, as to cleave to all truth, so in particular, to avow all the truths contraverted in the time, of what importance soever they be; Therefore doth Peter, beside the excellency of Christs doctrine, confesse him also in his person and office, which were the truths then opposed, and though they be fundamental truths, yet were accounted but little by the opposers thereof. 2. The more men know of Christ, they will finde the moe bands to tie them to him, and the moe preservatives against defection from him; And particularly, the true knowledge of his office and person may invite men to cleave to him, forsake him who will. Therefore Peter subjoynes this as a new argument. 3. It is not bare and naked knowledge of what Christ is, that will tie mens hearts to him, unlesse they embrace what they know, by faith; Therefore Peter gives it as a reason of his constancy, we beleeve that thou art that Christ. And albeit this seeme to be nothing but an historical assent to what the devils do confesse; Yet as it is joined with Peters resolution, to whom shall we go? as the ground of it, it is an act of saving faith, for a firme faith of the person and office of Christ, with adherence unto him and recombency on him, is the exercise of saving faith. 4. It is not reason that can take up the mysteries concerning Christs person, incarnation, and offices, but faith must close with them upon divine revelation; Therefore, saith he, we beleeve this. 5. As true faith and saving knowledge go together; So the knowledge which is gathered by experience and observation of events according to the Word, is a great help to faith; for, saith he, we beleeve and have known, as it is in the Original. As there is a seeing, or knowledge, that goeth before and with faith, ver. 40. (for albeit many things revealed be in themselves mysteries, and above the reach of our capacity, as to the nature, reason, and manner of them, yet faith knoweth that these things are, and so closeth with them:) So this is an experimental knowledge following on faith; wherein, by considering the accomplishment of prophecies concerning the Messiah, in his person, they were experimentally confirmed in what they beleeved. 6. It ought, and will endeare Christ to all true disciples, and make them cleave to him, that he is the only true Messiah promised to the fathers, who is appointed by the Father to exercise the office of a King, Priest, and Prophet, to his Church, and who is anointed with the Spirit above measure for that end, from whom his people may expect the fruits of all these offices, the participation of his fulnesse, and Communion with him in his dignity: for, this is a reason of Peters resolution, thou art that Christ, that promised Messiah, and Anointed one. 7. It doth further heighten the estimation of Christ in the hearts of beleevers, and is a strong bar against defection from him, that he is the Sonne of the living God, by eternal generation, and communication of the same essence; And so he is the only excellent choice, is able for all his offices, and to give worth unto his sufferings; And as he hath a fountain of life communicate from the Father, so he is able to beget and preserve life in his people. All this is imported in that other reason, thou art the Son of the living God.