John 6:70
What does John 6:70 mean?
A plain-English look at John 6:70 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 6:70 means
Jesus replies that He chose the twelve, yet one is a devil. He affirms His sovereign choice while exposing the presence of a traitor. The word “devil” signifies an adversarial character aligned with the accuser’s work. This sober note tempers triumphalism and warns that proximity to Jesus and leadership status do not guarantee true faith. Jesus is not naive; He knows the hearts of His own. His mission will proceed through and even despite betrayal, accomplishing the Father’s will through the cross.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jesus said, Did I not make a selection of you, the twelve, and one of you is a son of the Evil One?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered them, `Did not I choose you--the twelve? and of you--one is a devil.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we have believed and have known that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you the twelve? and of you one is a devil.
Context
This response follows Peter’s strong confession and introduces tension within the chosen group. It prepares readers for the later betrayal without naming the individual yet, and it underscores Jesus’s foreknowledge and control. The final verse will clarify that He spoke of Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him, making explicit what was hinted here.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 1:17
For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.
- John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
- Titus 2:3
that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
- Acts 13:10
and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- John 13:18
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.
- John 17:12
While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
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