John 10:38
What does John 10:38 mean?
A plain-English look at John 10:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 10:38 means
Even if His hearers cannot accept His words, Jesus urges them to believe the works so that they may know and continue to understand the mutual indwelling—“the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” This is more than cooperation; it is shared life and action. The works serve as windows into this profound union. Faith can begin by acknowledging what the works undeniably show and then grow into deeper recognition of who He is. Jesus graciously meets doubters where they are, yet He draws them toward the full truth of His divine identity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if I am doing them, then have belief in the works even if you have no belief in me; so that you may see clearly and be certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if I do, even if me ye may not believe, the works believe, that ye may know and may believe that in me <FI>is<Fi> the Father, and I in Him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in the Father.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but if I do, even if ye believe not me, believe the works, that ye may know [and believe] that the Father is in me and I in him.
Context
Verse 38 completes Jesus’ appeal to His works as a path to faith, revealing the mutual indwelling of Father and Son. The response in verse 39 is another attempt to seize Him, which He escapes. The narrative then shifts away from Jerusalem to the region beyond the Jordan (verse 40), recalling the earlier ministry of John and preparing the concluding note of receptive faith in verses 41–42.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?
- John 5:36
But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
- John 3:2
the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.
- John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, these bear witness of me.
- Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
- John 10:30
I and the Father are one.
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