King James Version

What Does John 14:10 Mean?

John 14:10 in the King James Version says “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:... — study this verse from John chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 14:10 · KJV


Context

8

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

10

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

11

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? Jesus responds to Philip's request to 'show us the Father' (v.8) with this profound declaration of mutual indwelling (περιχώρησις, perichoresis)—the interpenetration of persons in the Godhead. I am in the Father (ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί) and the Father in me (ὁ πατὴρ ἐν ἐμοί) is the foundation of Trinitarian theology, affirming both distinction of persons and unity of essence.

The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself (οὐκ ἀπ' ἐμαυτοῦ λαλῶ)—Christ's teaching carries divine authority because it originates from the Father. The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (ὁ πατὴρ ἐν ἐμοὶ μένων αὐτὸς ποιεῖ τὰ ἔργα)—the verb μένω (meno, 'remain/abide/dwell') emphasizes permanent, continuous indwelling. Jesus's miracles are the Father's works performed through the incarnate Son, demonstrating their inseparable unity of will and action.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This discourse occurred in the Upper Room on the night before Jesus's crucifixion (c. AD 30). Philip, a disciple from Bethsaida (1:44), had witnessed three years of Jesus's ministry yet still struggled to grasp His deity. Jesus's response corrects this misunderstanding by articulating the mutual indwelling of Father and Son—a cornerstone doctrine that the early church would formalize in the Nicene Creed (AD 325) as 'God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the mutual indwelling of Father and Son challenge your understanding of Jesus's claim to be 'the way, the truth, and the life' (14:6)?
  2. If Christ's words and works originated from the Father dwelling in Him, what does this teach about the nature of divine revelation and authority?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
οὐ1 of 34

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

πιστεύεις2 of 34

Believest thou

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

ὅτι3 of 34

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐγὼ4 of 34

I

G1473

i, me

ἐν5 of 34

in

G1722

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

τῷ6 of 34
G3588

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

πατὴρ7 of 34

the Father

G3962

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

καὶ8 of 34

and

G2532

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

9 of 34
G3588

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

πατὴρ10 of 34

the Father

G3962

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

ἐν11 of 34

in

G1722

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

ἐμοὶ12 of 34

me

G1698

to me

ἐστιν13 of 34

me

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὰ14 of 34
G3588

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

ῥήματα15 of 34

the words

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

16 of 34

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐγὼ17 of 34

I

G1473

i, me

λαλῶ,18 of 34

I speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὑμῖν19 of 34

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀπ'20 of 34

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἐμαυτοῦ21 of 34

myself

G1683

of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>

οὐ22 of 34

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

λαλῶ,23 of 34

I speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

24 of 34
G3588

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

δὲ25 of 34

but

G1161

but, and, etc

πατὴρ26 of 34

the Father

G3962

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

27 of 34
G3588

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

ἐν28 of 34

in

G1722

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

ἐμοὶ29 of 34

me

G1698

to me

μένων30 of 34

that dwelleth

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

αὐτὸς31 of 34

he

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

ποιεῖ32 of 34

doeth

G4160

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

τὰ33 of 34
G3588

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

ἔργα34 of 34

the works

G2041

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


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 14:10 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 14:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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