John 10:42
And many believed on him there.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 6
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπίστευσαν
believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσαν
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
2 of 6
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
πολλοὶ
many
G4183
πολλοὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
3 of 6
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
Cross References
John 4:41And many more believed because of his own word;John 4:39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.John 7:31And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?John 2:23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.John 8:30As he spake these words, many believed on him.John 12:42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:John 11:45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Historical Context
This mass belief in Perea (Transjordan) contrasts with John 12:37—in Jerusalem, 'though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.' Geography and social status don't determine faith, but heart receptivity does. These Perean believers formed part of the growing movement that would become the church.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did many in Perea believe while Jerusalem's religious elite rejected—what made the difference?
- How does the combination of faithful witness (John) and authenticating works (Jesus) create optimal conditions for faith?
- What does this verse teach about evangelism—that success isn't technique but faithfulness, with God granting the results?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And many believed on him there (καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ, kai polloi episteusan eis auton ekei)—The phrase πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν (polloi episteusan, 'many believed') indicates saving faith: ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτόν (episteusan eis auton, 'believed into Him') uses the preposition εἰς (eis, 'into'), signifying commitment to Christ's person, not mere intellectual assent. The location marker ἐκεῖ (ekei, 'there') contrasts this receptive region with Jerusalem's rejection.
This verse demonstrates the sovereignty of evangelism: where John faithfully witnessed and Jesus performed authenticating works, many believed. The contrast is stark—Jerusalem's religious leaders, seeing the same evidence, sought to kill Him; simple people in Perea, remembering John's testimony and witnessing Jesus's works, believed. Faith isn't about access to evidence but willingness to submit to truth.