The same Greek verb appears twice in this verse; the first time it is translated heard (so also most other translations), and the second time listen to (so also Revised Standard Version and New English Bible). Moffatt translates “hard to take in,” New American Bible “hard to endure,” and Jerusalem Bible and Phillips “accept.” In the Greek text heard is actually an aorist participle (Revised Standard Version “when they heard”; New English Bible “on hearing”), which Good News Translation makes into a finite verb parallel with the verb said.

Verse 24 implies that Jesus’ discourse was delivered to the crowd, while verse 41 reveals that “the Jews” (Good News Translation the people) were also present. Evidently John intends his readers to understand that Jesus’ disciples were also present. Verse 66-67 indicate that his followers include a much larger group than the twelve disciples. (See, for example, Luke 10.1.)

The antecedent of this (in the construction heard this) is not clearly marked, but it is perhaps best understood either as a reference to the entire discourse concerning the bread of life (beginning with verse 25) or to the closing words of the discourse (53-58).

This teaching is too hard is more literally rendered in Revised Standard Version “This is a hard saying.” Moffatt (“This is hard to take in!”) and New American Bible (“This sort of talk is hard to endure!”) are similar. Jerusalem Bible, in a rather high level of language, has “This is intolerable language,” while New English Bible sounds colloquial, “This is more than we can stomach!” The adjective too hard was originally used of physical objects and meant “hard” or “rough.” In the present context it has the meaning “difficult to accept” rather than “difficult to understand.”

It (in the construction listen to it) may be either neuter (as in Good News Translation and most other translations) or masculine, “him.” Most translators have “it,” while New English Bible has “such talk.”

Who can listen to it does not mean that Jesus’ words cannot be heard but that it is impossible to comprehend what he is saying. One may therefore translate this final question “Who is able to agree with what he is trying to say?” Jesus’ teaching is unacceptable (This teaching is too hard) precisely because it is not in accord with the people’s expectations.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .