John 10:37-38
If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus issues a bold challenge: don't believe His words unless His actions clearly demonstrate His divine connection. He's essentially saying, "My works are the ultimate proof; if they don't align with my Father's, then you're right to doubt me." This highlights how Jesus invites scrutiny, trusting that the works He performs are undeniable evidence of His unique relationship with God.
Jesus is defending Himself against the charge of blasphemy after healing a man on the Sabbath. He has already challenged their hypocrisy and claims to be the good shepherd, but they remain hostile, even attempting to stone Him. He then shifts His argument, appealing to the divine nature of His miraculous works as undeniable proof of His unique relationship with the Father.
Jesus challenges his accusers to look past his words and evaluate his actions. What if the ultimate proof of who he is isn't in his claims, but in what he does?
When Jesus says, 'If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me,' he's essentially saying his miracles are God's fingerprints. He's not asking for blind faith, but for discernment based on evidence.
A Divine Seal
He points to his 'works' – the powerful acts of healing, casting out demons, and revealing God's love – as proof of his divine connection. These aren't just impressive feats; they are actions that only God could perform.
The Ultimate Test
Jesus is confident that these works bear the unmistakable signature of his Father. If these actions weren't genuinely divine, then his claims would be false. But because they are divine, they validate his identity and mission.
Jesus offers a surprising concession: even if you doubt me, can you deny the evidence of what I'm doing? He invites them to trust the undeniable.
Jesus understands human skepticism. He knows that sometimes, the person making a claim can be distrusted, even if the claim itself is true. That's why he directs his accusers to the 'works.'
Evidence Over Opinion
He makes a clear distinction: 'believe me not' versus 'believe the works.' He’s not saying his person is unimportant, but that the evidence of his divine nature, demonstrated through his works, should be compelling enough to overcome their prejudice against him.
A Call to Reason
This is a profound invitation to engage with God's power directly. Even if they refused to believe Jesus' direct testimony about his divine identity, he argued they should at least believe the undeniable divine power evident in his actions. Their disbelief, therefore, becomes a rejection of God's own powerful testimony.
Understand the original words
ergon · Greek Noun
Refers to the miracles and divine activities performed by Jesus. In the Gospel of John, these are not just wonders, but 'signs' intended to reveal His divine identity and mission from the Father.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
A firm conviction or trust in someone or something. In the New Testament, it involves not just intellectual assent but a personal commitment and reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation.
The verse highlights a pivotal moment where Jesus directly challenges his accusers to examine the evidence of his divine works, which he claims are inseparable from the Father's own activity, as the ultimate proof of his identity.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and performing miracles, drawing crowds and attracting attention from religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Growing opposition to Jesus
Jesus' teachings and miracles, particularly his claims of divine authority and his actions on the Sabbath, increasingly anger the Jewish leaders, leading to confrontations.
c. AD 33— this verse
Confrontation in the Temple courts
During a festival, Jesus' teaching in the Temple is interrupted by leaders challenging his authority. He speaks of his relationship with the Father and his divine works.
c. AD 33
Attempted stoning of Jesus
Enraged by Jesus' claims and his assertion that his works prove his divine identity, the Jewish leaders attempt to stone him, but he eludes their grasp.
Jesus directly points to his miracles as testimony to his divine mission, echoing the argument in John 10:37 that his works are evidence of his connection to the Father.
John 14:10-11Here, Jesus explains that the words he speaks and the works he does are not his own but come from the Father dwelling within him, reinforcing the claim in John 10:37 that his works are intrinsically linked to the Father's.
Acts 2:22Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as a man accredited by God through miracles, signs, and wonders, aligning with Jesus' assertion in John 10:37 that his works serve as undeniable proof of his divine authority.
Hebrews 2:4This passage speaks of God bearing witness to the Gospel message through signs, wonders, and various powerful deeds, which mirrors Jesus' appeal in John 10:37 to the 'works of the Father' as validation.
barnesJohn 10:37: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
The works of my Father - The very works that my Father does. See John 5:17 ; "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." See the note on that place. The works of his Father are those which God only can do. As Jesus did them, it shows that the name "Son of God," implying equality with God, was properly applied to him. This shows conclusively that he meant to be understood as claiming to be equal with God. So the Jews naturally under…
calvinJohn 10:37-42: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
- If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38. But if I do, [301] though you believe not me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39. Therefore they sought again to seize him, but he escaped [302] out of their hands. 40. And again he went away beyond Jordan, to the place where John first baptized, and abode there. 41. And many came to him, and said, John indeed d…
Jesus issues a bold challenge: don't believe His words unless His actions clearly demonstrate His divine connection. He's essentially saying, "My works are the ultimate proof; if they don't align with my Father's, then you're right to doubt me." This highlights how Jesus invites scrutiny, trusting that the works He performs are undeniable evidence of His unique relationship with God.
Jesus is defending Himself against the charge of blasphemy after healing a man on the Sabbath. He has already challenged their hypocrisy and claims to be the good shepherd, but they remain hostile, even attempting to stone Him. He then shifts His argument, appealing to the divine nature of His miraculous works as undeniable proof of His unique relationship with the Father.
Jesus is defending Himself against the charge of blasphemy after healing a man on the Sabbath. He has already challenged their hypocrisy and claims to be the good shepherd, but they remain hostile, even attempting to stone Him. He then shifts His argument, appealing to the divine nature of His miraculous works as undeniable proof of His unique relationship with the Father.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 10:37-38 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 33
Jesus withdraws beyond Jordan
Jesus leaves Jerusalem and travels to a region beyond the Jordan River, where John the Baptist had previously ministered, to continue his teaching and ministry away from immediate danger.
c. AD 33
Many believe in Jesus beyond Jordan
In this new location, many people come to Jesus, recognizing the truth of John the Baptist's witness to him and seeing his own numerous miracles, leading them to believe in him.
"If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”" — Jesus issues a bold challenge: don't believe His words unless His actions clearly demonstrate His divine connection. He's essentially saying, "My works are the ultimate proof; if they don't align w…
