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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} them {G846}, I told {G2036} you {G5213}, and {G2532} ye believed {G4100} not {G3756}: the works {G2041} that {G3739} I {G1473} do {G4160} in {G1722} my {G3450} Father's {G3962} name {G3686}, they {G5023} bear witness {G3140} of {G4012} me {G1700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered them, “I have already told you, and you don’t trust me. The works I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf,

Berean Standard Bible

“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus directly addresses the persistent unbelief of the Jewish leaders who demand a plain declaration of His identity. He asserts that His previous words and, more significantly, the powerful "works" He performs in His Father's name, serve as undeniable and continuous testimony to who He is, yet their lack of faith prevents them from accepting this clear evidence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a tense exchange during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem. Jesus is walking in Solomon's Porch at the Temple, a public area where He is confronted by Jewish leaders. Their demand in [John 10:24](/john/10-24 "John 10:24 - The Jewish Leaders Confront Jesus") for Jesus to "tell us plainly if you are the Christ" follows immediately after His profound discourse on being the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11-18 "John 10:11-18 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), where He speaks of His intimate relationship with His sheep and His Father, and His authority to lay down and take up His life. Jesus' response in [John 10:25](/john/10-25 "John 10:25 - Jesus' Works Testify of Him") is not a simple "yes," but a profound redirection to the evidence already presented, setting the stage for His further claims of unity with the Father in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One") and the subsequent attempt to stone Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, was a celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC after its defilement by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. It was a time of heightened nationalistic and Messianic fervor among the Jewish people, who longed for a political deliverer to free them from Roman rule. The Jewish leaders' demand for a "plain" declaration of Messiahship was likely an attempt to force Jesus into a seditious statement that could be used against Him, or to confirm their own preconceived notions of a conquering king, rather than a spiritual savior. Solomon's Porch, a covered colonnade on the eastern side of the Temple courts, was a common gathering place, making it an ideal location for public discourse and confrontation. The concept of divine "works" or signs was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, as seen in the miracles performed by Moses and the prophets, which served to authenticate their divine commission.
* **Key Themes:** [John 10:25](/john/10-25 "John 10:25 - Jesus' Works Testify of Him") contributes significantly to several key themes in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the persistent **Evidence and Unbelief** that characterizes the interaction between Jesus and the religious authorities. Despite Jesus' clear self-revelation through both His words and deeds, their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness prevent them from believing. Secondly, the verse underscores **The Testimony of Works**, emphasizing that Jesus' miracles, healings, and other divine acts are not merely human feats but irrefutable proof of His divine origin and authority. These "works" (Greek: _erga_) are performed "in my Father's name," which leads to the third crucial theme: **Jesus' Divine Sonship and Unity with the Father**. This phrase signifies that Jesus' actions are empowered by the Father and reveal the Father's character and will, demonstrating the profound unity between Jesus and God, a concept further elaborated in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **works (Greek, _érgon_):** From a primary (but obsolete) verb meaning "to work," this noun refers to toil, an effort, or an occupation, but by implication, it means an act or deed. In the context of Jesus, "works" refers not merely to physical labor but to His supernatural deeds, miracles, and divine acts that demonstrate His power and identity as the Son of God. These are the tangible expressions of His divine mission.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** Derived from "faith" (πίστις, _pistis_), this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," implying credit or trust. When Jesus states "ye believed not," He is pointing to their fundamental lack of trust and commitment to Him, a refusal to accept the truth of His identity despite the compelling evidence He has provided. It signifies a spiritual rather than merely intellectual rejection.
* **bear witness (Greek, _martyréō_):** From _martys_ (a witness), this verb means "to be a witness" or "to testify." It implies providing authoritative and compelling evidence, much like a witness in a court of law. Jesus asserts that His works serve as irrefutable, continuous testimony to His divine identity and the truth of His claims, functioning as direct evidence from the Father Himself.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma_):** More than just a label, "name" in this context refers to the character, authority, and very presence of the Father. When Jesus performs works "in my Father's name," it means He acts with the Father's authority, by the Father's power, and in a way that reveals the Father's nature and purpose. It underscores the intimate and inseparable relationship between the Son and the Father.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not:"**: Jesus' opening statement is a direct and poignant rebuke. He implies that He has already communicated His identity and mission through His teachings and previous actions. The phrase "ye believed not" highlights their spiritual blindness and willful rejection, indicating that their unbelief is not due to a lack of information but a hardened heart unwilling to accept the truth.
* **"the works that I do in my Father's name,"**: This clause specifies the nature of the evidence Jesus refers to. His "works" encompass His miracles, healings, and all His divine deeds. The crucial qualifier "in my Father's name" emphasizes that these actions are not performed by His own independent power, but by the authority and power of God the Father, revealing the Father's character and will through the Son. This phrase underscores His unique divine relationship and commission.
* **"they bear witness of me."**: This final clause states the purpose and effect of Jesus' works. They serve as compelling, irrefutable testimony to His divine identity, His Messiahship, and His unique relationship with the Father. The works are not merely impressive feats but divine signs, designed by God to authenticate Jesus' claims and reveal Him as the Christ.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is evident in Jesus' response; the Jewish leaders demand a "plain" statement, yet Jesus points to the "plain" evidence of His works, which they have already seen and rejected. Their demand for clarity is met with a rebuke that highlights their willful ignorance. **Metonymy** is present in the phrase "in my Father's name," where "name" stands for the Father's authority, character, and very essence. This signifies that Jesus' actions are not merely authorized by the Father but are an extension of the Father's own power and will. The verse also functions as an **Argument from Evidence**, where Jesus appeals to the observable reality of His miraculous deeds as concrete proof of His claims, challenging His accusers to consider the undeniable facts. Finally, the pervasive **Testimony/Witness Motif** (Greek: _martyria_) central to John's Gospel is highlighted, as Jesus explicitly states that His works "bear witness" of Him, echoing the testimony of John the Baptist, the Father, and the Scriptures throughout the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:25 profoundly connects to the broader theological theme of divine self-revelation and humanity's response to it. God consistently reveals Himself through various means – creation, prophecy, and ultimately in Christ – yet humanity often rejects this revelation due to spiritual blindness or a hardened heart. Jesus' works are not just demonstrations of power but acts of divine love and truth, designed to draw people to Him and to the Father. The Jewish leaders' unbelief, despite overwhelming evidence, serves as a stark warning against intellectual stubbornness and spiritual resistance to God's clear communication. True faith, as presented in John's Gospel, is not a blind leap but a responsive trust based on the credible testimony of Jesus' words and deeds, empowered by the Spirit.

* [John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - The Works Testify of Jesus")
* [Matthew 11:4-5](/matthew/11-4-5 "Matthew 11:4-5 - Jesus' Works as Proof for John the Baptist")
* [Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus, Attested by God through Miracles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse challenges us to examine the foundation of our own faith. Are we, like the Jewish leaders, demanding more signs or different forms of revelation, or are we willing to believe based on the clear and consistent evidence God has already provided? Jesus' "works" continue to testify today through the transformative power of the Gospel, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing work of God in the world and in individual lives. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is not based on mere speculation but on the historical and divine reality of Jesus' life, miracles, and resurrection. For those seeking truth, it invites a deeper consideration of the compelling evidence presented by Christ's ministry. We are called to cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to God's revelation, rather than demanding further proof or clinging to preconceived notions that hinder genuine belief.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works" of God—whether in creation, in history, or in your personal life—do you see as clear testimony to His presence and power?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting belief or demanding more evidence, despite what God has already revealed?**
* **How can you cultivate a heart that is more receptive and responsive to the ongoing testimony of Jesus' works and words?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Jesus just say "Yes, I am the Christ" to the Jewish leaders?**

Answer: Jesus' reluctance to give a simple "yes" was not because He was unclear about His identity, but because the term "Christ" (Messiah) was heavily laden with political and nationalistic expectations among the Jewish people. A direct affirmation without context would have been severely misunderstood, potentially leading to a premature popular uprising or an immediate accusation of sedition against Rome. Instead, Jesus consistently redefined Messiahship through His actions and teachings, demonstrating that He was a spiritual deliverer, not a political one. By pointing to His "works," He allowed His divine actions, empowered by the Father, to define His Messiahship in a way that words alone could not, challenging their narrow understanding and exposing their spiritual blindness. His works provided the true, undeniable nature of His claim, which a mere verbal affirmation, open to misinterpretation, could not.

**What kind of "works" is Jesus referring to in this verse?**

Answer: When Jesus speaks of "the works that I do," He is referring to the full scope of His divine activity, not just isolated miracles. This includes His miraculous healings (e.g., [John 5:1-9](/john/5-1-9 "John 5:1-9 - Healing at Bethesda")), His power over nature (e.g., [John 6:16-21](/john/6-16-21 "John 6:16-21 - Jesus Walks on Water")), His ability to feed thousands (e.g., [John 6:1-14](/john/6-1-14 "John 6:1-14 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), and especially His power over life and death (e.g., raising Lazarus in [John 11:38-44](/john/11-38-44 "John 11:38-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus")). Beyond these overt miracles, "works" also encompasses His authoritative teaching, His perfect life of obedience to the Father, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection. These were not mere human feats but divine acts, demonstrating His unique relationship with the Father and His identity as the Son of God, sent to accomplish the Father's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "works" of Jesus, performed "in my Father's name," are central to His Christ-centered fulfillment. These deeds are not merely historical events but are integral to God's redemptive plan, revealing the very character and power of God the Father through the Son. Jesus' miracles, teachings, and ultimately His death and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of His identity as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. They testify to His authority to forgive sins, grant eternal life, and establish God's kingdom. Just as [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God's Final Word in His Son") declares that God has spoken to us "by his Son," Jesus' works are the tangible expression of this divine communication, a visible manifestation of the invisible God. These works culminate in His supreme work on the cross, where He accomplished salvation for humanity, and in His resurrection, which validated all His claims and demonstrated His victory over sin and death. Thus, Jesus' works bear witness not just to His identity, but to His saving mission, inviting all to believe in Him as the one through whom all things were created and reconciled, as beautifully articulated in [Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ"). His entire life, from His humble incarnation to His glorious ascension, is a continuous "work" of God for the redemption of the world, embodying the obedient self-emptying and ultimate exaltation described in [Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "Philippians 2:5-11 - The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 10:38

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.

John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 5:17

¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

John 5:43

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

John 14:11

Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Acts 10:38

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

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.