I think the scripture refers to it as "hard sayings" or offensive they twisted the meaning refusing to hear what it says just in John 6 .And in doing so making the word of God without effect through the oral traditions of the kind of fathers that turned things upside down twisting to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. It would seem they did understand but refused to hear and believe. But did it the Sinatra way they did it there way"
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? John 6
The faithless Jews in that way took away (twisted) the understanding that comes from comparing scripture to scripture. They performed that by giving different authors of scriptures different degree of venerating or hallowing one another. (The hierarchy of Catholicism). Just as Catholics hold Peter as unto a Holy Father the faithless Jews performed that with the name Abraham having him to our Father in heaven . I would suggest that we do not offer the understanding of God's word as Peter's understanding Mary's understanding or Paul . Christ alone was crucified for the sins of those elected to salvation. In that way he defines the us in Christ.
In that way he shows us he is not served by human hands as related to natural unconverted man. He uses to preach the gospel a Ass a unclean animal to represent natural unconverted man as a beast of the field to emphasize he is not served by human hands..
Exodus 13:13And every firstling of an
ass thou shalt redeem with a
lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
Numbers 22:28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the
ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Three times denoted the end of the matter.