John 10 25

John 10:25 kjv

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

John 10:25 nkjv

Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.

John 10:25 niv

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me,

John 10:25 esv

Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

John 10:25 nlt

Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father's name.

John 10 verses

John 10 25 Meaning

Jesus asserts that His divine identity has already been clearly communicated and demonstrated through His actions. The powerful and unique works He performs, all empowered by and consistent with God the Father, serve as undeniable evidence of His Messianic claims and His direct relationship with God. Despite this clear and tangible testimony, the questioners remain in a state of willful unbelief, indicating a spiritual rejection rather than a lack of information.

John 10 25 Context

John 10:25 occurs during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in winter, within the Temple precincts, specifically Solomon's Portico (John 10:22-23). The Jewish leaders gather around Jesus, pressuring Him with the demand, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). This verse is Jesus' direct reply, immediately following their question. His earlier discourse in chapter 10 about the Good Shepherd had already stirred contention, portraying His unique relationship with His "sheep" and distinguishing them from those who do not hear His voice—a clear demarcation relevant to His present questioners. Historically, their "plain" demand for Messiahship likely envisioned a political deliverer who would explicitly challenge Roman rule, which Jesus subtly challenges by redirecting them to the nature of His divine authority and mission, as evidenced by His works, rather than a political declaration.

John 10 25 Word Analysis

• answered (ἀπεκρίθη - apekrithe): From apokrinomai, to give an answer or respond. It implies Jesus' reply is a direct address to their inquiry, not a random statement. It signifies His engagement with their skepticism.

• I told you (εἶπον ὑμῖν - eipon hymin): Eipon (aorist of lego, to speak/say) combined with hymin (dative plural pronoun, to you). This phrase emphasizes prior declaration. Jesus is reminding them that His identity has not been hidden but previously revealed, both implicitly through His teaching and explicitly through various pronouncements (e.g., John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I am").

• you do not believe (οὐ πιστεύετε - ou pisteuete): Ou is the strong negative particle; pisteuete (present indicative of pisteuo, to believe/trust). The present tense signifies continuous, ongoing unbelief. It highlights a persistent spiritual condition of refusal or inability to accept, rather than a simple lack of information. This unbelief is presented as the core issue.

• The works (τὰ ἔργα - ta erga): Ta (the) denotes specificity, and erga (deeds, actions, miracles). In John's Gospel, erga often refers to Jesus' miracles and powerful signs, but also encompasses His entire active ministry as manifestations of God's power and character (e.g., healing the blind, raising Lazarus, walking on water). They are physical manifestations of spiritual truth.

• I do (ποιῶ - poio): Present tense, active verb from poieo, meaning "to do, make, accomplish." This signifies continuous, active engagement in these deeds, further underscoring that the evidence is consistently presented.

• in my Father's name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ πατρός μου - en tō onomati tou patros mou): This is a crucial phrase. En tō onomati (in the name) denotes acting by the authority, character, and power of. It signifies Jesus' works are not self-generated but derive from and represent the very being and will of God the Father. His actions reveal the Father. It is a declaration of divine commissioning and authentication.

• these bear witness about me (ταῦτα μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ - tauta martyrei peri emou): Tauta (these things, referring to the works), martyrei (present indicative of martyreo, to testify, bear witness), peri emou (concerning me). Martyreo carries legalistic connotations—presenting evidence. The works function as incontrovertible proof, speaking directly to His identity as the Christ and the Son of God. The present tense martyrei indicates ongoing, present testimony.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I told you, and you do not believe": This pairing highlights the tragedy of their spiritual condition. Jesus has given ample verbal testimony, yet their inner disposition prevents acceptance. The blame for unbelief is placed on them, not on a lack of clarity from Jesus.
  • "The works that I do in my Father's name": This phrase links the external visible acts to their ultimate divine source and purpose. It underscores that Jesus' actions are not merely wonders but are acts of God, performed with God's authority and revealing God's character. They are inherently saturated with the Father's power and intent.
  • "these bear witness about me": This defines the specific purpose of the works. They are not random acts of power but deliberate, divine testimonies designed to validate Jesus' claims and reveal His unique identity and relationship with the Father. The works are the Father's endorsement of the Son.

John 10 25 Bonus Section

The term "works" (ἔργα) in John's Gospel often implies more than just isolated miracles; it represents the entirety of Jesus' mission as divinely empowered actions revealing the Father. Jesus often refers to them as the Father's works, done through Him (e.g., Jn 14:10). This emphasizes that Jesus is not simply an individual performing extraordinary feats but the direct agent of God Himself, enacting God's will and power on earth. Their rejection of these works is therefore a rejection of God. The phrase "in my Father's name" resonates with Old Testament instances where prophets or agents acted under divine mandate (e.g., priests ministering in the LORD's name), but for Jesus, it speaks to an unprecedented unity of will and power with God. His "works" serve as a consistent, living commentary on His verbal claims.

John 10 25 Commentary

John 10:25 serves as Jesus' decisive response to persistent, often hostile, questioning of His identity. The demand for a "plain" declaration of Messiahship by the Jewish leaders reflects a superficial desire for a mere verbal assertion, possibly motivated by political expectations or a pre-conceived notion of Messiah that did not align with Jesus' teachings. Jesus, however, shifts their focus from an isolated declaration to the living, active, and tangible evidence of His ministry.

He first highlights their current state: He has already declared His identity multiple times ("I told you"), but their problem is an entrenched "unbelief" that precedes and transcends the clarity of His statements. This is not about lacking information but about spiritual receptivity. The true testimony, Jesus argues, lies not solely in words but profoundly in His "works"—miracles and actions that defy human explanation and carry divine power. These "works" are not for self-glory, but are performed "in my Father's name," emphasizing that they originate from, are empowered by, and bear the full authority and character of God the Father. Therefore, they are an undeniable extension of God's activity among them.

Thus, the "works" themselves become eloquent "witnesses" (martyrei), testifying to Jesus' Messianic claims and His unique filial relationship with the Father. Their testimony is objectively powerful, rendering those who reject it without excuse. The verse succinctly encapsulates a core Johannine theme: the inseparability of Jesus' person, His words, and His deeds as a unified revelation of God. Those who fail to see the Father in the Son's works fail to believe the Son's words and are revealed as spiritually unperceiving, a tragic outcome given the clear evidence presented before them.