John 14:10

What does John 14:10 mean?

A plain-English look at John 14:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 14:10 means

Jesus asks Philip to believe in the mutual indwelling of Father and Son. His teaching is not self-originated; the Father dwelling in Him accomplishes the works. Words and works go together as the Father’s activity through the Son. This shows both humility in the incarnate Son and the divine unity at work in His mission. The miracles and authoritative teaching are not separate proofs, but one integrated display of the Father’s presence in Him. Faith is invited to rest on this divine union: that in hearing Jesus, one hears God; in seeing Jesus work, one sees the Father working.

John 14:10 in context

John 14I Am the Way

On the night before his crucifixion Jesus comforts his disciples. He is going to prepare a place for them; he is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him. He promises another Comforter — the Holy Spirit — who will dwell in them and bring his words to remembrance. The peace he gives is not as the world gives. Even with the cross hours away, he turns from his own sorrow to steady theirs.

  • Heaven
  • Exclusivity of Christ
  • Holy Spirit promised
  • Christ's peace

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Have you not faith that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words which I say to you, I say not from myself: but the Father who is in me all the time does his works.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Believest thou not that I <FI>am<Fi> in the Father, and the Father is in me? the sayings that I speak to you, from myself I speak not, and the Father who is abiding in me, Himself doth the works;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abideth in me, he doth the works.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Believest thou not that I [am] in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words which I speak to you I do not speak from myself; but the Father who abides in me, he does the works.

Context

Building on the claim that seeing Him is seeing the Father, Jesus explains the inner relationship that makes this true. The emphasis shifts from external sight to the source of His ministry—indwelling and shared action. The following verse calls for belief based on this reality, offering the works as confirmatory evidence if the disciples struggle. This sets a foundation for what comes next: those who believe will participate in His works and experience answered prayer, because He is returning to the Father and will continue His work through them.

v.9Jesus 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?

v.10This passage

v.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 2:9

    for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

  • Acts 10:38

    even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

  • John 3:32

    What he hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness; and no man receiveth his witness.

  • John 5:19

    Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.

  • John 1:1

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

  • John 11:26

    and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Sermon ideas from John 14:10

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 14:10 teaches us about heaven

  • What John 14:10 teaches us about exclusivity of christ

  • What John 14:10 teaches us about holy spirit promised

  • What John 14:10 teaches us about christ's peace

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Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 14:10.