If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin (εἰ τὰ ἔργα μὴ ἐποίησα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἃ οὐδεὶς ἄλλος ἐποίησεν, ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ εἴχοσαν/ei ta erga mē epoiēsa en autois ha oudeis allos epoiēsen, hamartian ouk eichosan)—Jesus adds works to words (verse 22). The phrase works which none other man did (ἔργα ἃ οὐδεὶς ἄλλος ἐποίησεν/erga ha oudeis allos epoiēsen) emphasizes unprecedented, unique miracles validating His identity.
Jesus' erga (works) included healing incurables (leprosy, congenital blindness, paralysis), exorcising demons, controlling nature (calming storms, walking on water), raising the dead (widow's son, Jairus' daughter, Lazarus after four days), and feeding thousands miraculously. These weren't mere wonders but sēmeia (signs) pointing to His divine identity (John 20:30-31).
The phrase "none other man did" distinguishes Jesus' works from Old Testament prophets' miracles. Moses, Elijah, and Elisha performed miracles through God's power delegated to them. Jesus performed miracles by His own inherent authority: "I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:41). His works demonstrated divine prerogatives: forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-12), claiming Sabbath lordship (Matthew 12:8), accepting worship (John 9:38).
But now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father (νῦν δὲ καὶ ἑωράκασιν καὶ μεμισήκασιν καὶ ἐμὲ καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου/nyn de kai heōrakasin kai memisēkasin kai eme kai ton patera mou)—perfect tense verbs (heōrakasin/have seen, memisēkasin/have hated) indicate completed action with continuing results. They witnessed undeniable evidence yet chose hatred. This is willful rebellion, not innocent ignorance.
Historical Context
Jesus' miracles were public, numerous, and verified by hostile witnesses. The Sanhedrin acknowledged "this man doeth many miracles" (John 11:47) but responded not with worship but conspiracy to kill Him. After healing the man born blind (John 9), Pharisees investigated thoroughly, interrogating parents and the healed man, yet rejected the evidence.
The healing of Lazarus (John 11) exemplifies this pattern: a man dead four days, publicly known, raised before many witnesses. The result? "From that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death" (John 11:53). The works that should have produced faith instead hardened opposition.
First-century Judaism expected Messiah to perform validating signs (Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1). Jesus fulfilled these precisely, yet leadership rejected Him. This wasn't lack of evidence but suppression of truth (Romans 1:18). The same works that drew crowds to wonder (John 6:2) drew authorities to murder (John 11:47-53).
Church history parallels this: clear evidence often hardens opponents rather than converts them. Athanasius faced exile despite defending biblical truth. Reformers were martyred despite recovering gospel clarity. Truth can provoke hatred in those committed to error.
Questions for Reflection
Why do miracles and evidence sometimes harden unbelief rather than produce faith?
What does it mean that Jesus' opponents "both seen and hated"—how can full knowledge coexist with willful rejection?
How should this verse inform apologetics and expectations about the role of evidence in conversion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin (εἰ τὰ ἔργα μὴ ἐποίησα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἃ οὐδεὶς ἄλλος ἐποίησεν, ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ εἴχοσαν/ei ta erga mē epoiēsa en autois ha oudeis allos epoiēsen, hamartian ouk eichosan)—Jesus adds works to words (verse 22). The phrase works which none other man did (ἔργα ἃ οὐδεὶς ἄλλος ἐποίησεν/erga ha oudeis allos epoiēsen) emphasizes unprecedented, unique miracles validating His identity.
Jesus' erga (works) included healing incurables (leprosy, congenital blindness, paralysis), exorcising demons, controlling nature (calming storms, walking on water), raising the dead (widow's son, Jairus' daughter, Lazarus after four days), and feeding thousands miraculously. These weren't mere wonders but sēmeia (signs) pointing to His divine identity (John 20:30-31).
The phrase "none other man did" distinguishes Jesus' works from Old Testament prophets' miracles. Moses, Elijah, and Elisha performed miracles through God's power delegated to them. Jesus performed miracles by His own inherent authority: "I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:41). His works demonstrated divine prerogatives: forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-12), claiming Sabbath lordship (Matthew 12:8), accepting worship (John 9:38).
But now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father (νῦν δὲ καὶ ἑωράκασιν καὶ μεμισήκασιν καὶ ἐμὲ καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου/nyn de kai heōrakasin kai memisēkasin kai eme kai ton patera mou)—perfect tense verbs (heōrakasin/have seen, memisēkasin/have hated) indicate completed action with continuing results. They witnessed undeniable evidence yet chose hatred. This is willful rebellion, not innocent ignorance.