John 6:29

Authorized King James Version

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Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Original Language Analysis

ἀπεκρίθη answered G611
ἀπεκρίθη answered
Strong's: G611
Word #: 1 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶπεν said G2036
εἶπεν said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 5 of 18
to speak or say (by word or writing)
αὐτοῖς unto them G846
αὐτοῖς unto them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 6 of 18
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
Τοῦτό This G5124
Τοῦτό This
Strong's: G5124
Word #: 7 of 18
that thing
ἐστιν is G2076
ἐστιν is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 8 of 18
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργον the work G2041
ἔργον the work
Strong's: G2041
Word #: 10 of 18
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 12 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 13 of 18
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
πιστεύσητε ye believe G4100
πιστεύσητε ye believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 14 of 18
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
εἰς on G1519
εἰς on
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 15 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὃν him G3739
ὃν him
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 16 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπέστειλεν he hath sent G649
ἀπέστειλεν he hath sent
Strong's: G649
Word #: 17 of 18
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ἐκεῖνος whom G1565
ἐκεῖνος whom
Strong's: G1565
Word #: 18 of 18
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

Analysis & Commentary

'Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.' Singular 'work' replaces plural 'works.' Faith in the one God sent is the fundamental response God requires. This doesn't eliminate good works but establishes their foundation—faith in Christ. Believing is both gift and response, divine work and human act. All other obedience flows from this central commitment.

Historical Context

This answer shocked works-oriented hearers. The 'work of God' isn't a list of commandments but trust in Christ. This principle became central to Pauline theology (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16). Faith, not works, justifies—though genuine faith produces works.

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