John 6:30
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
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
τί
What
G5101
τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 15
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ποιεῖς
shewest
G4160
ποιεῖς
shewest
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
6 of 15
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
σημεῖον
sign
G4592
σημεῖον
sign
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
8 of 15
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
ἴδωμεν
we may see
G1492
ἴδωμεν
we may see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 15
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πιστεύσωμέν
believe
G4100
πιστεύσωμέν
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
12 of 15
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
Cross References
John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:1 Corinthians 1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:John 2:18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?John 6:36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.John 10:38But 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.
Historical Context
Their question 'what dost thou work?' echoes their ancestors' testing of God in the wilderness (Psalm 78:18-20). Despite witnessing the feeding miracle, they demand additional proof, showing the hardness of unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- Why doesn't miraculous proof produce lasting faith?
- How do we sometimes demand constant new evidences rather than resting in Christ's already-demonstrated sufficiency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The demand 'What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?' is remarkable given yesterday's feeding of 5,000. Their question reveals that miracles alone don't produce lasting faith—they want new signs to maintain belief. This illustrates that sign-dependent faith is weak and temporary. True faith rests on Christ's person, not constant miraculous validation.