John 10:32

Authorized King James Version

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#2
αὐτῶν
of those
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#3
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#5
Πολλὰ
Many
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#6
καλὰ
good
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
#7
ἔργον
works
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
#8
ἔδειξα
have I shewed
to show (literally or figuratively)
#9
ὑμῖν
you
to (with or by) you
#10
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#11
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
πατρός
Father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#13
μου·
my
of me
#14
διὰ
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#15
ποῖον
which
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
#16
αὐτῶν
of those
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#17
ἔργον
works
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
#18
λιθάζετε
do ye stone
to lapidate
#19
μὲ
me
me

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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