At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Verse 66. Many of his disciples. Many who had followed him professedly as his disciples and as desirous of learning of him. . Went back. Turned away from him and left him. From this we may learn, 1st. Not to wonder at the apostasy of many who profess to be followers of Christ.
66. From that time many of his disciples went back. The Evangelist now relates what trouble was the consequence of that sermon. It is a dreadful and monstrous thing, that so kind and gracious an invitation of Christ could have alienated the minds of many, and especially of those who had formerly professed to belong to him, and were even his ordinary disciples.
From that time, &c.--or, in consequence of this. Those last words of our Lord seemed to have given them the finishing stroke--they could not stand it any longer. walked no more--Many a journey, it may be, they had taken with Him, but now they gave Him up finally!