6:68a

Simon Peter replied: This clause indicates that Simon Peter spoke for the whole group. He knew (or thought he knew) what they all thought.

Lord, to whom would we go?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter used it to emphasize that there was no one else whom the twelve (12) could follow. It implies that the twelve would not stop following Jesus. There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a question. For example:

Lord, where would we go? (New Century Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! (Contemporary English Version)

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.

It may be necessary to make explicit Peter’s implied answer to Jesus’ question in 6:67, that the twelve would not stop following Jesus. For example:

⌊No!⌋ There is no one else to go/turn to!

6:68b

You have the words of eternal life: This clause gives the grounds or reason for Peter’s decision to continue following Jesus.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Your words give eternal life. (God’s Word)
-or-
You speak the words that lead to eternal life.

You may want to make explicit the relationship between the clauses in 6:68a–b, indicating that this clause gives a reason. For example:

because only you teach how to have eternal life.

the words of eternal life: This phrase refers to Jesus’ teaching about eternal life. Jesus had told them how to receive eternal life, and they believed him.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the message of eternal life (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the words that give eternal life (New Century Version)

eternal life: The word eternal refers to something that does not end. The phrase eternal life refers to the new spiritual life that God gives us when we believe in Jesus. This life will never end. See the note at 3:15 and how you translated this phrase there and in 6:27b and 40b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

forever life ⌊from God⌋
-or-

⌊spiritual⌋ life that never ends
-or-
living forever ⌊with God⌋

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