John 6:28 kjv
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
John 6:28 nkjv
Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"
John 6:28 niv
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
John 6:28 esv
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
John 6:28 nlt
They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?"
John 6 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 6:29 | Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him..." | Jesus' direct answer: the "work" is faith, not multiple deeds. |
| Acts 16:30-31 | "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus..." | Similar question about what to "do" for salvation, answered with belief. |
| Rom 3:20 | ...by works of the law no human being will be justified... | Clarifies that justification does not come from doing deeds of the law. |
| Rom 3:28 | For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. | Reinforces justification by faith, distinct from human works. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works... | Salvation is a gift of God's grace through faith, not earned by human deeds. |
| Gal 2:16 | ...a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ... | Reaffirms justification by faith, not law-keeping. |
| Mt 19:16 | "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" | Similar query from the rich young ruler about obtaining life through doing. |
| Luke 10:25 | And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" | Lawyer asks what "doing" is required for eternal inheritance. |
| Isa 64:6 | We are all like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. | Highlights the inadequacy of human righteous works before God. |
| Tit 3:5 | He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy... | Emphasizes salvation is based on God's mercy, not human righteous deeds. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him... | Faith is presented as foundational to pleasing God, superseding mere deeds. |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart... | God's primary command, which encompasses "works," but in love and devotion. |
| Micah 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Old Testament summary of what God truly requires, not just ritualistic acts. |
| Phil 3:9 | ...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ... | Paul rejects a righteousness based on law for one based on faith. |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Emphasizes that true spiritual "works" (fruit) stem from abiding in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 3:11-15 | Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest... | Discusses works built upon Christ as a foundation, to be tested. |
| John 6:27 | Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life... | Jesus has just redirected them from perishing physical work to enduring spiritual work. |
| John 9:3-4 | ...but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day... | Here, "works of God" refer to God's actions or works done through Jesus. |
| Luke 18:9-14 | Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector | Illustrates the danger of relying on self-righteous "works." |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | God's preference for internal heart transformation over external ritual works. |
| 1 Jn 3:23 | And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another... | God's ultimate commandment, connecting belief and love. |
John 6 verses
John 6 28 Meaning
John 6:28 captures the crowd's question to Jesus after witnessing the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Having previously chased Him for physical bread, their inquiry now shifts to spiritual matters, asking what specific actions or efforts they should undertake to perform deeds that would please or be ordained by God. This question reveals their human inclination to achieve divine favor or salvation through their own performance and "works."
John 6 28 Context
This verse is part of Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse in John chapter 6. Immediately prior, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish, demonstrating His power over creation and His role as the provider. The crowd, however, pursued Him further not out of a spiritual understanding but because they desired more physical bread, failing to grasp the deeper sign. Jesus challenged them in John 6:26-27 to seek the food that "endures to eternal life," which He would provide. The crowd's question in verse 28, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?", is their initial response, transitioning from their earthly desire to an inquiry about earning spiritual benefit, still viewing it through the lens of human labor and achievement. Historically, the Jewish people were accustomed to a covenantal framework centered on meticulous adherence to the Law (Torah) and performing various ritual "works" (mitzvot) as a means to gain God's favor and righteousness. Their question reflects this cultural understanding of how to relate to God.
John 6 28 Word analysis
- Then (Εἶπον οὖν - Eipon oun): "Eipon" means "they said" (from lego, to speak/say). "Oun" is a particle meaning "therefore, so then, accordingly." It signifies a continuation or a logical sequence from the preceding events and Jesus' prior statement.
- they: Refers to the crowd (Greek: ochlos) who had followed Jesus (Jn 6:24) and with whom He was just conversing (Jn 6:26-27). This represents humanity's innate tendency to approach God based on their own efforts.
- said to Him: Indicates a direct address to Jesus, seeking clarification or instruction.
- "What (Τί - Ti): An interrogative pronoun, asking for specification or identification of what kind of thing or what exactly. It underscores their desire for specific instructions.
- shall we do (ποιῶμεν - poiōmen): From poieō, meaning "to make, to do, to perform." It's in the present subjunctive, implying "what are we supposed to do?" or "what should we be doing?" It highlights their action-oriented mindset, rooted in human initiative and performance.
- that we may work (ἵνα ἐργαζώμεθα - hina ergazōmetha): "Hina" means "in order that, for the purpose that," indicating purpose. "Ergazōmetha" comes from ergazomai, "to work, to perform work, to be employed, to carry out a task." This word strongly emphasizes diligent labor or toil.
- the works (τὰ ἔργα - ta erga): "Erga" is the plural of ergon, meaning "work, deed, act." In this context, it refers to a set of actions or religious performances. They are not asking for a single "work" but multiple deeds or tasks.
- of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): The genitive case can denote possession ("belonging to God") or source/cause ("coming from God") or objective ("for God" or "related to God"). Here, it strongly implies "works required by God" or "works acceptable to God," those human actions believed to earn divine approval or blessing.
- Word Group Analysis:
- "What shall we do, that we may work...": This phrase reveals a legalistic or meritorious frame of reference. The crowd views relationship with God and receiving His favor as something to be earned through their own efforts, paralleling their efforts to earn daily bread. They are seeking a quid pro quo arrangement.
- "the works of God": This specific phrasing shows they understand God as the ultimate authority defining the necessary actions. However, they misinterpret the nature of these "works," thinking of human-initiated labor rather than God's divine provision and commanded belief. This phrase immediately sets up the contrast with Jesus' subsequent explanation, which centers not on multiple human "works," but on the single divine "work" of believing in the One sent by God (Jn 6:29).
John 6 28 Bonus section
The underlying polemic in John 6:28-29 is against the prevailing understanding of merit-based righteousness, characteristic of much contemporary Judaism where strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions ("works of the law") was emphasized as the path to divine favor. The crowd's question echoes the rich young ruler's inquiry in Matthew 19:16 ("What good deed must I do to have eternal life?"), revealing a universal human quest to achieve spiritual standing through one's own efforts. Jesus’ immediate response—shifting from their proposed plural works to the singular "work" of God, which is belief—marks a fundamental departure from the legalistic framework, setting the stage for the revelation of salvation by grace through faith.
John 6 28 Commentary
John 6:28 is a pivotal question that frames the subsequent discourse on the Bread of Life. The crowd's inquiry reflects a deeply ingrained human tendency to seek righteousness or divine favor through personal achievement and observance. They had just seen Jesus miraculously provide for their physical needs without their labor, yet they still defaulted to asking about "what to do." Their use of "works" in the plural (erga) implies a desire for a list of prescribed religious duties or a systematic program of earning merit with God. This aligns with a widespread cultural and religious mindset of that era, and indeed, of all time, where people attempt to "work their way" to God. Jesus' answer in the next verse profoundly redirects their focus from their own numerous deeds to the single, fundamental "work of God"—to believe in Him whom the Father has sent. This highlights the foundational difference between human-centered earning and God-centered grace and faith.