John 10:38
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Original Language Analysis
ποιῶ
I do
G4160
ποιῶ
I do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
3 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πιστεύσητε
believe
G4100
πιστεύσητε
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
7 of 22
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργοις
the works
G2041
ἔργοις
the works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
9 of 22
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
πιστεύσητε
believe
G4100
πιστεύσητε
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
10 of 22
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
γνῶτε
ye may know
G1097
γνῶτε
ye may know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
12 of 22
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πιστεύσητε
believe
G4100
πιστεύσητε
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
14 of 22
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the Father
G3962
πατὴρ
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
19 of 22
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 10:25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.John 10:30I and my Father are one.Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:John 3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.John 5:36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.John 17:11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Historical Context
This appeal to 'believe the works' echoes Jesus's earlier challenge to the Jews: 'Search the scriptures...they are they which testify of me' (John 5:39). God provides multiple avenues to faith—Scripture, miracles, fulfilled prophecy, Jesus's teaching—removing excuse for unbelief while respecting human will.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God graciously provide multiple paths to faith (works, Scripture, teaching) for those genuinely seeking truth?
- What's the progression from believing Jesus's works to believing His person to understanding His unity with the Father?
- How can Christians use Jesus's model—pointing to evidence that leads to personal encounter—in evangelism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him (εἰ δὲ ποιῶ, κἂν ἐμοὶ μὴ πιστεύητε, τοῖς ἔργοις πιστεύετε, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ γινώσκητε ὅτι ἐν ἐμοὶ ὁ πατὴρ κἀγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί, ei de poio, kan emoi mē pisteuēte, tois ergois pisteuete, hina gnōte kai ginōskēte hoti en emoi ho patēr kagō en tō patri)—Jesus offers a minimal faith: even if they can't believe His person yet, believe His works' testimony. The goal is ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ γινώσκητε (hina gnōte kai ginōskēte, 'that you may know and keep knowing')—progressive understanding leading to settled conviction. The Father is in me, and I in him expresses mutual indwelling—the perichoretic relationship within the Trinity.
This verse demonstrates God's patience with honest doubters: start with evidence, move toward understanding, arrive at faith. The works point beyond themselves to the Person. Jesus's claim of mutual indwelling with the Father restates His deity in slightly different terms—He and the Father share divine essence (John 10:30).