John 10:32

KJV

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} them {G846}, Many {G4183} good {G2570} works {G2041} have I shewed {G1166} you {G5213} from {G1537} my {G3450} Father {G3962}; for {G1223} which {G4169} of those {G846} works {G2041} do ye stone {G3034} me {G3165}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered them, “You have seen me do many good deeds that reflect the Father’s power; for which one of these deeds are you stoning me?”

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”

American Standard Version

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 10:32 captures a pivotal moment of confrontation where Jesus, facing an attempt to stone Him for perceived blasphemy, challenges His accusers by appealing to the undeniable evidence of His divine ministry. He highlights the multitude of "good works" He has publicly displayed, all originating from His Father, and demands to know which of these benevolent acts warrants their violent intent, thereby exposing their spiritual blindness and the injustice of their accusation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' profound and provocative declaration in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus' Unity with the Father"), "I and my Father are one." This statement, interpreted by the Jewish leaders as blasphemy—making Himself equal with God—provokes their immediate response of picking up stones to execute Him. The preceding discourse in [John 10:1-21](/john/10-1-21 "John 10:1-21 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") establishes Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for His sheep, contrasting His life-giving ministry with the destructive nature of thieves and robbers. His "good works" in verse 32 are thus presented as the tangible evidence of His identity as this divine Shepherd and His unity with the Father, directly challenging the leaders' rejection of His claims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of picking up stones signifies the Jewish leaders' intent to carry out capital punishment by stoning, which was the prescribed penalty under Mosaic Law for blasphemy ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Punishment for Blasphemy")). Their immediate resort to this severe punishment underscores their profound offense at Jesus' claim of oneness with God, which they viewed as a direct violation of monotheism. This confrontation takes place in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) ([John 10:22](/john/10-22 "John 10:22 - Feast of Dedication")), a time of heightened religious and nationalistic fervor, which often amplified tensions between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. The leaders' actions reflect their rigid interpretation of the law and their inability to accept a Messiah who did not conform to their pre-conceived notions.
* **Key Themes:** The Authority of Jesus' Works: Jesus consistently points to His "many good works" (miracles, healings, compassionate acts, profound teachings) as irrefutable evidence of His divine commission and unity with the Father. These works were not merely moral acts but powerful demonstrations of God's presence and power through Him, serving as a divine attestation to His claims, as seen throughout [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"). Spiritual Blindness and Rejection: The verse starkly highlights the spiritual blindness of Jesus' accusers. Despite overwhelming proof of His benevolent and divine power, they chose to interpret His words as blasphemy and His actions as worthy of death. This illustrates a hardened heart that refuses to acknowledge truth, even when plainly demonstrated, a theme echoed in [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light") where men prefer darkness to light. Jesus' Defense of His Divinity: By challenging them to identify which "good work" justified their stoning, Jesus subtly yet powerfully reaffirms that His actions align perfectly with God's character, thereby validating His claims of unity with the Father. His works were a testimony to His true identity, as He stated elsewhere, "[believe me for the very works' sake](/john/14-11 "John 14:11 - Believe Me for the Works' Sake")."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Works (Greek, _érgon'_):** From Strong's G2041, "toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act." In this context, "works" refers to the totality of Jesus' deeds—His miracles, healings, teachings, and compassionate acts—which were the visible manifestations of His divine power and purpose. These were not random occurrences but intentional demonstrations of God's presence and will through Him.
* **Shewed (Greek, _deiknýō'_):** From Strong's G1166, "to show (literally or figuratively)." This verb emphasizes that Jesus' works were not hidden or secret but were openly displayed and publicly demonstrated for all to witness. The term implies a clear, undeniable presentation of evidence, underscoring the accessibility and visibility of His divine actions.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** From Strong's G3962, "a 'father' (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)." Jesus consistently attributes the origin and authority of His works to God the Father. This emphasizes His unique filial relationship with God, reinforcing His claim of divine unity and underscoring that His ministry is not self-initiated but divinely commissioned and empowered.
* **Stone (Greek, _litházō'_):** From Strong's G3034, "to lapidate." This refers to the act of execution by stoning, a capital punishment under Jewish law, specifically for offenses like blasphemy. Jesus' question highlights the severity of their intent and the profound misjudgment of His actions, as they sought to kill Him for deeds that were inherently good and divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered them,"**: This phrase indicates Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the Jewish leaders' hostile action of picking up stones. Rather than fleeing or remaining silent, Jesus confronts their intent head-on, demonstrating His courage and control over the situation.
* **"Many good works have I shewed you from my Father;"**: Jesus appeals to the undeniable and abundant evidence of His ministry. The phrase "many good works" (καλός ἔργα) refers to the multitude of noble, beneficial, and divinely empowered actions He performed. By stating these works are "from my Father," Jesus explicitly links His actions to God's authority and character, reinforcing His claim of divine unity and the legitimacy of His mission.
* **"for which of those works do ye stone me?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question. Jesus challenges His accusers to identify a single "good work" that warrants capital punishment. This question exposes the irrationality, malice, and spiritual blindness of their intent, implying that His works should lead to belief and glorification of God, not condemnation and violence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse prominently employs **Rhetorical Question**, as Jesus poses a question not to gain information but to make a forceful point and expose the illogic and injustice of His accusers' actions. This device effectively shifts the burden of proof back onto them, highlighting their lack of legitimate grounds for stoning Him. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the very works Jesus performed—which were inherently "good" (beneficial, healing, life-giving) and revealed God's character—are met with an intent to inflict death. This stark contrast underscores the spiritual darkness and perversion of justice by the religious leaders. Furthermore, Jesus' statement functions as an **Argument from Evidence**, where He appeals to the observable, undeniable facts of His ministry as proof of His divine commission and character, implicitly countering their charge of blasphemy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:32 profoundly connects the visible actions of Jesus to His divine identity and mission. It underscores the theological principle that God reveals Himself through His deeds, and that Jesus' works are not merely human acts but divine manifestations, demonstrating the Father's presence and power. The confrontation highlights the recurring biblical tension between divine revelation and human rejection, where even undeniable evidence of God's activity can be met with hostility due to hardened hearts and spiritual blindness. This verse also foreshadows the ultimate rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, where His "good work" of atonement would be met with the ultimate act of human malice, yet ultimately leading to God's redemptive purpose.

* [John 14:10-11](/john/14-10-11 "Believe Me for the Works' Sake")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Jesus' Ministry of Good Works")
* [Matthew 11:2-5](/matthew/11-2-5 "John the Baptist's Question and Jesus' Answer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:32 challenges us to critically examine the evidence of Jesus' life and ministry. Are we open to recognizing God's work, even when it defies our expectations or challenges our pre-conceived notions? Jesus' willingness to confront His accusers, even at great personal risk, demonstrates His unwavering commitment to truth and His Father's will. For us, this means being prepared to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. It also calls us to examine our own "works"—are they truly "good," reflecting the character of Christ and glorifying God, or are they self-serving and counterproductive to the Kingdom? Our actions, like Jesus's, should be a compelling testimony to the divine grace at work within us, inviting others to encounter the living God. We are called to be people whose lives bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, demonstrating God's goodness and love in a world that often misunderstands or rejects Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "good works" of Jesus resonate most deeply with you, and how do they inform your understanding of His identity and mission?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Jewish leaders, be prone to spiritual blindness or prejudice that prevents us from seeing God's work in unexpected places or people?**
* **How can our own "good works" (motivated by faith and love) serve as a powerful testimony to Christ in a world that often misunderstands or rejects Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Jewish leaders want to stone Jesus?**

Answer: The Jewish leaders sought to stone Jesus because they interpreted His statement in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus' Unity with the Father"), "I and the Father are one," as blasphemy. Under Mosaic Law, claiming equality with God was considered blasphemy and punishable by stoning, as outlined in [Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Punishment for Blasphemy"). They believed Jesus, a man, was making Himself God, which to them was the ultimate offense against their monotheistic faith.

**What did Jesus mean by "good works"?**

Answer: When Jesus referred to "many good works," He was speaking of all His actions that demonstrated divine power, compassion, and authority. This included His miracles (healing the blind, raising the dead, casting out demons), His profound teachings, and His acts of mercy. These works were "good" (Greek: _kalos_) not just in a moral sense, but also beautiful, noble, and excellent, clearly revealing the character and power of God the Father working through Him. He pointed to these works as irrefutable evidence of His divine origin and unity with the Father, as He also stated in [John 14:11](/john/14-11 "Believe Me for the Works' Sake").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 10:32, though a moment of intense confrontation, points powerfully to Christ's ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the perfect Son, consistently performed "good works" that revealed the Father's character and kingdom. Yet, these very works, intended to bring life and light, were met with the ultimate rejection and the intent to stone Him. This foreshadows His crucifixion, the supreme "good work" of atonement, where He, the innocent Lamb of God, was "stoned" in a sense by the world's sin and rejection, enduring the wrath of God on our behalf ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Wounded for Our Transgressions")). His resurrection, however, vindicated His claims and His works, proving Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, who truly is "one with the Father" ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The "good works" He performed culminate in the ultimate work of salvation, inviting all who believe to partake in His divine life, not through works of the law, but through faith in the One whose works were perfect and complete, demonstrating God's grace and preparing us for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do ([Ephesians 2:8-10](/ephesians/2-8-10 "Saved by Grace Through Faith for Good Works")).

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 5:36

But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

2 Chronicles 24:20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

2 Chronicles 24:22

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon [it], and require [it].

John 10:37

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

John 5:19

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.