John 10:38 Meaning Explained

John 10:38

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)

Jesus isn't just asking them to believe in Him, but to believe the works themselves as evidence. He's directing their focus to the undeniable acts of God happening right before their eyes, urging them to let the Father's power shining through His actions lead them to the truth about their divine connection.

What John 10:38 means

Jesus has just declared, "I and the Father are one," which the Jewish leaders found blasphemous and tried to stone him for. He pushes back, challenging them to believe his divine works if they cannot believe his words, as these mighty deeds are undeniable proof of his unique connection with the Father. This leads to their renewed attempt to seize him, but he escapes, continuing his ministry elsewhere.

Historical context

Written: Late 1st Century AD
Author: John the Apostle, traditionally understood as
Location: Written from Ephesus, likely
Genre: Gospel (Narrative/Theological) with extensive use of dialogue and symbolic language

Historical background

Jesus' appeal to his 'works' as evidence of his divine identity occurs during intense conflict with Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, who are actively seeking to condemn and kill him. His subsequent withdrawal and ministry beyond the Jordan highlight the rejection he faced from many in Jerusalem, yet also show how his powerful deeds continued to draw people to belief.

c. AD 25-30
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus starts teaching, healing, and performing miracles in Galilee and Judea, drawing crowds and attracting the attention of religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' ministry intensifies in Jerusalem
Jesus makes several visits to Jerusalem during festivals, teaching in the temple courts and engaging in debates with Jewish leaders, particularly during his final week.
c. AD 30-33
Debate and attempted stoning in the temple
During a confrontation in the temple, Jesus' claims of unity with the Father lead the Jewish leaders to pick up stones to kill him, prompting Jesus to withdraw.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus retreats beyond the Jordan
Following the incident in the temple, Jesus withdraws to a region east of the Jordan River, the area where John the Baptist had previously ministered.

Key themes

01Works as divine testimony
02Belief grounded in evidence
03Christ's divine unity
04Knowledge preceding faith

Cross-references

John 5:36

Jesus appeals to the same concept of 'works' as evidence of His divine mission, directly linking them to the Father's testimony about Him.

John 14:10-11

Jesus reiterates the intimate union between Himself and the Father, stating that the Father 'dwells in me' and that He 'is in the Father' and that they should believe Him because of His works.

Acts 2:22

Peter preaches that Jesus was accredited by God through 'signs and wonders and miracles,' echoing John's theme that Jesus' works were undeniable proof of God's presence and power in Him.

Hebrews 2:4

This passage speaks of God bearing witness to the message of salvation through 'signs and wonders and various miracles,' which aligns with Jesus' argument that His works testified to His divine identity.

Scholarly commentary

John 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…

calvin

John 10:31-38: "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."

10:31-38 Christ's works of power and mercy proclaim him to be over all, God blessed for evermore, that all may know and believe He is in the Father, and the Father in Him. Whom the Father sends, he sanctifies. The holy God will reward, and therefore will employ, none but such as he makes holy. The Father was in the Son, so that by Divine power he wrought his miracles; the Son was so in the Father, that he knew the whole of His mi…
henry

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What John 10:38 means

Historical background

c. AD 25-30

Jesus begins public ministry

Jesus starts teaching, healing, and performing miracles in Galilee and Judea, drawing crowds and attracting the attention of religious authorities.

c. AD 30-33— this verse

Jesus' ministry intensifies in Jerusalem

Jesus makes several visits to Jerusalem during festivals, teaching in the temple courts and engaging in debates with Jewish leaders, particularly during his final week.

c. AD 30-33

Debate and attempted stoning in the temple

During a confrontation in the temple, Jesus' claims of unity with the Father lead the Jewish leaders to pick up stones to kill him, prompting Jesus to withdraw.