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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"But many of the disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying." What means "hard"? Rough, laborious, troublesome. Yet He said nothing of this kind, for He spake not of a mode of life, but of doctrines, continually handling the faith which is in Him. What then means, "is a hard saying"? Is it because it promiseth life and resurrection? Is it because He said that He came down from heaven? Or that it was impossible for one to be saved who ate not His flesh? Tell me, are these things "hard"? …
Cyril of Alexandria
This is the custom of the simple: they ever find fault with the more subtle doctrines and foolishly tear in pieces any thought that is above them, because themselves understand it not: although they ought rather to have been eager to learn, and to have loved to search diligently the things spoken, not on the contrary to rise up against so wise words, and call that hard, which they ought to have marvelled at. For they are somewhat in the same plight, as one may see those in who have lost their teeth. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Why then did He deliver such speeches before the people, when He knew that no one would benefit from them, and many would even be scandalized? For His disciples, having heard them, said: "These words are strange; who can listen to this?" What is the benefit of these words? Very great and important. They constantly mentioned bodily food and pointed to the manna. Showing them that all this was figures and shadow, while what He now speaks is the truth. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Such is our Lord's discourse. The people did not perceive that it had a deep meaning, or, that grace went along with it: but receiving the matter in their own way, and taking His words in a human sense, understood Him as if He spoke of cutting of the flesh of the Word into pieces, for distribution to those who believed on Him: Many therefore, not of His enemies, but even of His disciples, when they heard this, said, This is an hard saying, who can hear it? (Tr. xxvii. …
Bonaventure
"Many therefore of his disciples, hearing," namely what had just been said about the eating of flesh, "said: This is a hard saying," that is, cruel and inhuman, to eat human flesh: "who can hear it?" They do not say "believe," but "hear," on account of the horror: therefore they could not hear, because their ears were heavy, according to that passage in Isaiah chapter six: "Make the heart of this people blind and make heavy their ears."
Alcuin of York
I. e. that I said, you should eat My flesh, and drink My blood.
Translation