Bible Strands
John 10:37
If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to Jewish opponents who have just accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. He addresses them during a direct confrontation over His divine authority and mission.
The words — The Greek term ἔργα (erga) translates literally to "works" and denotes the specific actions Jesus performs. The text presents these works as the necessary basis for belief in His identity.
The thread — The text ties works to testimony in John 10:25, where Jesus states His works in the Father’s name bear witness to Him. John 15:24 and John 10:38 extend this by showing that the works themselves serve as the objective ground for recognition.
Why it lands — The text explicitly conditions belief on the performance of the Father's works rather than on verbal claims. It asks the reader to verify Jesus’ identity by examining the observable actions attributed to God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
Cross-references
- John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.
- John 10:25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.
- Matthew 11:20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
- John 5:31 If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.
- John 10:32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
- John 12:37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.
- John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.