John 6:28-29
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The people are asking Jesus about "works of God" from a place of trying to earn favor through their own actions, a very common human tendency. Jesus redirects them from a list of potential deeds to the singular, foundational "work" of God: believing in Him.
Jesus had just performed a miracle, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, and then spoke about seeking the "food" that nourishes eternal life. The crowd, interpreting this spiritually but still focused on tangible outcomes, asks how they can perform the "works of God" that would earn them this lasting sustenance. This question arises from their legalistic mindset, where good deeds were the path to divine favor and the eternal rewards Jesus had just alluded to.
After Jesus fed thousands with loaves and fish, the crowd followed him. But when he spoke of 'working for food that lasts,' they heard a familiar tune: 'What works must we do?'
The people asking Jesus, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" were operating from a familiar, religious framework. They understood 'works of God' as a list of approved actions, likely tied to the Law.
Jesus' answer to the crowd's question about 'works' is astonishingly simple and profoundly challenging: 'This is the work of God...'
When the crowd asked about the 'works' of God, they expected a list of many actions. Jesus, however, reframes their understanding by pointing to one essential 'work' – faith.
Understand the original words
ergon · Greek Noun
In this context, specific deeds or religious accomplishments. Theologically, it refers to the actions that fulfill God's requirements or demonstrate obedience to His will.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place trust in, rely upon, and commit oneself to another. In the New Testament, it is the fundamental response of faith that unites a person with Christ, involving both mental assent and heartfelt dependence.
apostellō · Greek Verb
Refers to God's act of commissioning and dispatching His Son into the world to accomplish the work of salvation. It emphasizes Jesus' origin, authority, and mission as the Savior.
This passage directly answers a similar question about what God requires, shifting the focus from numerous outward actions to fundamental character: 'He has shown you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?'
1 John 3:23This verse provides a foundational New Testament answer to 'what must we do?', emphasizing that God's primary commandment is to believe in Jesus, the one He sent, which aligns perfectly with Jesus' response in John 6:29.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5This foundational Jewish declaration of faith, known as the Shema, highlights the singular devotion and love required of God's people, which is echoed in Jesus' emphasis on believing in Him as the ultimate act of obedience.
Romans 3:27-28This passage contrasts the 'works of the law' with the 'law of faith,' underscoring the Pauline understanding that salvation and pleasing God come through belief in Christ, not by human effort or merit, resonating with Jesus' singular focus on faith here.
Matthew 22:37-40Jesus Himself identifies the greatest commandments as loving God and loving neighbor. This foundational teaching underpins the 'works of God,' as true faith in Jesus, as Jesus emphasizes in John 6, will naturally lead to these expressions of love.
bensonJohn 6:28: "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
John 6:28-29 . Then said they — Desiring to appear willing to receive his instructions, as well as his bounties; What shall we do that we may work the works of God? — Works pleasing to God, so as to secure his favour, and eternal life. Jesus answered, This is the work of God — The work most pleasing to God, and the foundation of all others; that ye believe on him whom he hath sent — That you acknowledge…
cambridgeJohn 6:28: "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
28 . Then said they ] They said therefore . What shall we do, that we might work ] Better, what must we do that we may work . They see that His words have a moral meaning; they are to do works pleasing to God. But how to set about this?
The people are asking Jesus about "works of God" from a place of trying to earn favor through their own actions, a very common human tendency. Jesus redirects them from a list of potential deeds to the singular, foundational "work" of God: believing in Him.
Jesus had just performed a miracle, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, and then spoke about seeking the "food" that nourishes eternal life. The crowd, interpreting this spiritually but still focused on tangible outcomes, asks how they can perform the "works of God" that would earn them this lasting sustenance. This question arises from their legalistic mindset, where good deeds were the path to divine favor and the eternal rewards Jesus had just alluded to.
Jesus had just performed a miracle, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, and then spoke about seeking the "food" that nourishes eternal life. The crowd, interpreting this spiritually but still focused on tangible outcomes, asks how they can perform the "works of God" that would earn them this lasting sustenance. This question arises from their legalistic mindset, where good deeds were the path to divine favor and the eternal rewards Jesus had just alluded to.
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"Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”" — The people are asking Jesus about "works of God" from a place of trying to earn favor through their own actions, a very common human tendency. Jesus redirects them from a list of potential deeds to t…
