Chapter 6:59-65 Words to the Disciples

6:59 These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.
These things said He in the synagogue - Openly and publicly.
as He taught in Capernaum - His own city.

6:60 Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
Many therefore of His disciples - Not of the twelve, nor of the seventy, but of the multitude of the disciples, who followed Him from place to place. This is a hard saying; who can hear it? - Who can digest such doctrine as this? or it is to be objected to; so "an hard thing".

6:61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?

He said unto them, does this offend you? or trouble you? cannot you get over this? cannot you understand it?

6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?

ascend up where He was before? - for Christ was, He existed before His incarnation, and He was in heaven before; not in His human nature, but as the word and Son of God.

6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
It is the spirit that quickeneth - It is the spiritual sense only of My words that is to be attended to, and through which life is to be attained.

6:64 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.
for Jesus knew from the beginning - of His ministry, and of their profession of Him, being God omniscient, and the searcher of hearts:
who they were that believed not; in Him: notwithstanding their following Him, and professing to believe in Him, and the great outward respect and esteem they showed to Him, He could see through all those masks they put on.

6:65 And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto Him of My Father.

Except it were given unto Him - None can come at first, unless he be drawn by the Father; and none can continue, unless he continue under those sacred influences which God gives only to those who do not receive His first graces in vain.