John 10:38

But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to hostile Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who are attempting to seize Him after His previous declaration of unity with the Father. He addresses them directly during a tense confrontation over His identity and authority.

The words — The Greek εἰ (ei) and δὲ (de) frame a conditional concession: "If, however, I do...". The verb πιστεύητε (pisteuēte) means "you may believe," directing their focus from His person to His actions.

The thread — This theme of works testifying to divine unity appears in John 10:25 and John 10:30, while the mutual indwelling language echoes John 14:20. The narrative context shows this exchange immediately preceding another seizure attempt in John 10:39.

Why it lands — The text demands that observable deeds serve as evidence for theological truth when personal claims are rejected. It requires readers to evaluate divine authority through confirmed action rather than mere assertion.

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

But 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.

Cross-references

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.”
John 14:20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.
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.
John 14:9 Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”
John 17:21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
John 5:36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
John 17:11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!