Section 76b
Defection among the disciples
Capernaum
John 6:60-71
60After hearing this, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard saying; who can accept it?” 61But Jesus, aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no benefit. The words that I speak to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some among you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which of them did not believe and who it was that would betray him.) 65Then he said, “That is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.” 66At that point many of his disciples went back and no longer walked with him. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69And we have come to believe and to know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71(Now he was speaking about Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was one of the twelve and would later betray him.)
Notes
Capernaum
Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, is no longer inhabited. Although abandoned after the Islamic conquest of the seventh century, the earthquake of 747 A.D. left the town desolate, and only remains are left. It was once a thriving town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. As you pass the vibrant colors of the bougainvillea, eucalyptus and palm trees at the entrance, you are reminded of the fertility of the soil and the mild climate.
Only part of the city lies within the walls of the Franciscan compound. To the east of the walls is another part of the city owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Most of the city in which Jesus ministered lies unexcavated, eastward along the shore and northward toward the hills. You can see black basalt stones in the fields, indicating the remains of buildings below the soil. This lovely village, with its white limestone synagogue and black basalt houses, gives evidence of its prosperity over several centuries.