John 6:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Complete Jewish Bible:

So they said to him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?”

Berean Standard Bible:

Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”

American Standard Version:

They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G3767} said they^{G2036} unto^{G4314} him^{G846}, What^{G5101} shall we do^{{G4160}{G4160}}, that^{G2443} we might work^{G2038} the works^{G2041} of God^{G2316}?

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Commentary for John 6:28

John 6:28 is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is engaging with a crowd of people who had followed him after witnessing the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. The verse captures a pivotal moment in the dialogue between Jesus and the crowd, who are eager to understand how they can align their actions with God's will.

In the historical context of first-century Palestine, Jewish religious life was centered around the Torah and its commandments. The people's question to Jesus, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" reflects their desire to perform acts that are pleasing to God, likely influenced by the prevailing views of the time that emphasized adherence to the law and the performance of good deeds.

The themes present in this verse include the human quest for divine approval, the nature of true discipleship, and the distinction between works that are self-righteous and those that are God-ordained. The crowd's inquiry also touches on the perennial question of how one can live a life that is in accordance with God's purpose.

Jesus' subsequent response in verse 29 highlights the central theme of faith in God's chosen one—Jesus himself—as the primary work of God. This shifts the focus from the law to a personal relationship with Christ, emphasizing belief in Jesus as the key to doing the works of God. This exchange challenges the common understanding of religious practice, proposing a new covenant centered on faith in Jesus Christ, which was a radical departure from the traditional Jewish emphasis on law and ritual.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2038
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐργάζομαι
   Transliteration: ergázomai
   Pronunciation: er-gad'-zom-ahee
   Description: middle voice from ἔργον; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2041
   There are 161 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔργον
   Transliteration: érgon
   Pronunciation: er'-gon
   Description: from a primary (but obsolete) (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).