John 14:11
What does John 14:11 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:11 means
Jesus calls them to believe in His intimate union with the Father. If they struggle to grasp this mystery, they should at least trust on account of the works they have witnessed—the healings, signs, and transformed lives—which attest that God is acting in Him. Faith is not blind credulity but a response to credible revelation. Believing in this mutual indwelling is the gateway to participating in His mission. As they bank on who He is, they are prepared to receive promises about doing His works and asking in His name, grounded in the same divine authority that authenticated Him.
John 14:11 in context
John 14 — I 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 · 2000Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have faith that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me: at least, have faith in me because of what I do.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862believe me, that I <FI>am<Fi> in the Father, and the Father in me; and if not, because of the works themselves, believe me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Believe you not that I am in the Father and the Father in me?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Believe me that I [am] in the Father and the Father in me; but if not, believe me for the works' sake themselves.
Context
After explaining the Father’s indwelling and action in Him, Jesus appeals for faith, even if it must lean on the tangible evidence of His works. This call to believe becomes the launchpad for the astonishing promise that believers will do greater works, because He goes to the Father. From here, Jesus will link their future ministry to prayer in His name, all aimed at the Father’s glory in the Son. The flow moves from revelation to participation: knowing Him rightly leads to serving in His power.
v.10Believest 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.
v.11This passage
v.12Verily, 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 the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:32
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
- 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 10:38
But 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.
- Matthew 11:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:
- John 14:10
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.
- 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.
Sermon ideas from John 14:11
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:11 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:11 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:11 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:11 teaches us about christ's peace
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