King James Version

What Does John 10:38 Mean?

John 10:38 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from John chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

John 10:38 · KJV

Faith

Context

36

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38

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.

39

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40

And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized ; and there he abode.

Read John 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (εἰ δὲ ποιῶ, κἂν ἐμοὶ μὴ πιστεύητε, τοῖς ἔργοις πιστεύετε, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ γινώσκητε ὅτι ἐν ἐμοὶ ὁ πατὴρ κἀγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί, ei de poio, kan emoi mē pisteuēte, tois ergois pisteuete, hina gnōte kai ginōskēte hoti en emoi ho patēr kagō en tō patri)—Jesus offers a minimal faith: even if they can't believe His person yet, believe His works' testimony. The goal is ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ γινώσκητε (hina gnōte kai ginōskēte, 'that you may know and keep knowing')—progressive understanding leading to settled conviction. The Father is in me, and I in him expresses mutual indwelling—the perichoretic relationship within the Trinity.

This verse demonstrates God's patience with honest doubters: start with evidence, move toward understanding, arrive at faith. The works point beyond themselves to the Person. Jesus's claim of mutual indwelling with the Father restates His deity in slightly different terms—He and the Father share divine essence (John 10:30).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This appeal to 'believe the works' echoes Jesus's earlier challenge to the Jews: 'Search the scriptures...they are they which testify of me' (John 5:39). God provides multiple avenues to faith—Scripture, miracles, fulfilled prophecy, Jesus's teaching—removing excuse for unbelief while respecting human will.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God graciously provide multiple paths to faith (works, Scripture, teaching) for those genuinely seeking truth?
  2. What's the progression from believing Jesus's works to believing His person to understanding His unity with the Father?
  3. How can Christians use Jesus's model—pointing to evidence that leads to personal encounter—in evangelism?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
εἰ1 of 22

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ2 of 22

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ποιῶ3 of 22

“I do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

κἂν4 of 22

“though”

G2579

and (or even) if

ἐμοὶ5 of 22

“me”

G1698

to me

μὴ6 of 22

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πιστεύσητε7 of 22

“believe”

G4100

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

τοῖς8 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργοις9 of 22

“the works”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

πιστεύσητε10 of 22

“believe”

G4100

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

ἵνα11 of 22

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γνῶτε12 of 22

“ye may know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

καὶ13 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πιστεύσητε14 of 22

“believe”

G4100

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

ὅτι15 of 22

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐν16 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐμοὶ17 of 22

“me”

G1698

to me

ὁ18 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ19 of 22

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

κἀγὼ20 of 22

“and I”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

ἐν21 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῷ22 of 22

“him”

G846

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 10:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 10:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 10:30John 14:20John 10:25John 14:9-11John 3:2Acts 2:22

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