The test was too great. The enthusiasm of those who had wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him King grew cold. This speech had opened their eyes. No earthly rewards would come from connection with Him. They had welcomed His miracle-working power but would not come into agreement with His self-sacrificing life. If He would not regain their freedom from the Romans, they would have nothing to do with Him. HH 178.2
Jesus told them plainly, “There are some of you who do not believe,” adding, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” If they were not drawn to Him, it was because their hearts were not open to the Holy Spirit. HH 178.3
By His public rebuke of their unbelief, these disciples were still further alienated from Jesus. Wanting to wound the Savior and gratify the hatred of the Pharisees, they turned their backs on Him and left Him with disdain. They had made their choice; they did not walk with Jesus any more. HH 178.4
By the words of truth, the chaff was being separated from the wheat. See Matthew 3:12. Many turned away because they were too self-righteous to receive reproof. People are tested today as those disciples were in the synagogue at Capernaum. When truth comes home to the heart, they see the need of an entire change but are not willing to take up the self-denying work. They go away offended, complaining, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” HH 178.5