This saying is hard; who can accept it?

Notwithstanding the centrality of the Eucharist in John 6, one may also read this whole discourse as a call to discipleship.

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In fact, at the end of the long narrative, we are told how many of the disciples of Jesus murmur and complain:

"This saying is hard" (v 60). In the end, many decide to stop following him. Of course, the Twelve (Apostles) still choose to stay with him, but even from their ranks, there will be someone who will “depart” and ultimately betray Jesus (Jn 13:30; 18:2-3).