John 6:30

KJV

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

KJV (with Strong's)

They said {G2036} therefore {G3767} unto him {G846}, What {G5101} sign {G4592} shewest {G4160} thou {G4771} then {G3767}, that {G2443} we may see {G1492}, and {G2532} believe {G4100} thee {G4671}? what {G5101} dost thou work {G2038}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to him, “Nu, what miracle will you do for us, so that we may see it and trust you? What work can you perform?

Berean Standard Bible

So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?

American Standard Version

They said therefore unto him, What then doest thou for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following Jesus' miraculous feeding of over five thousand and His subsequent crossing of the Sea of Galilee, the crowd, having pursued Him, confronts Jesus with a demand for a further, continuous sign. Their inquiry, "What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?" reveals a profound spiritual misunderstanding, indicating a desire for tangible, ongoing proof of His authority, akin to Moses providing manna, rather than a genuine faith in His person and divine identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, immediately preceding Jesus' profound "Bread of Life" discourse in [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - The Bread of Life Discourse"). The crowd's demand for a sign comes directly after they have been miraculously fed by Jesus (the "feeding of the five thousand" in [John 6:1-14](/john/6-1-14 "John 6:1-14 - Feeding the Five Thousand")) and after Jesus has walked on water ([John 6:16-21](/john/6-16-21 "John 6:16-21 - Jesus Walks on Water")). Jesus had just challenged their pursuit, stating they sought Him not because they saw the signs, but because they ate of the loaves and were filled ([John 6:26](/john/6-26 "John 6:26 - The Crowd's Motive")). He then urged them to "labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life" ([John 6:27](/john/6-27 "John 6:27 - Seek Enduring Food")). Their question in [John 6:30](/john/6-30 "John 6:30 - The Demand for a Sign") is a direct response to this spiritual redirection, demonstrating their continued focus on physical provision and a superficial understanding of His works.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people of Jesus' time were deeply steeped in the Old Testament narratives and messianic expectations. There was a widespread belief that the Messiah would perform signs reminiscent of Moses, particularly providing miraculous food, just as Moses had provided manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna from Heaven")). The crowd's question, "What sign shewest thou then... what dost thou work?" echoes this expectation, implicitly challenging Jesus to perform a continuous, spectacular miracle like the manna, which they perceived as a greater sign than the single feeding He had just performed. Their desire for a "sign" (Greek: _sēmeîon_) was not merely for a wonder, but for a divine authentication of His authority and messianic claims, interpreted through their preconceived notions of what the Messiah would do.

* **Key Themes:** [John 6:30](/john/6-30 "John 6:30 - The Demand for a Sign") contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Demand for Signs** as a common human tendency to seek tangible proof rather than exercising genuine faith. Despite witnessing profound miracles, the crowd's spiritual perception remained veiled, underscoring the theme of **Spiritual Blindness**. They saw the acts but failed to grasp the identity of the One performing them, demonstrating a focus on earthly provisions over spiritual truth, a contrast Jesus addresses in [John 6:27](/john/6-27 "John 6:27 - Seek Enduring Food"). This demand sets the stage for Jesus' revelation of Himself as the **Bread of Life** ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), contrasting their desire for perishable food with His offer of eternal sustenance. Ultimately, the verse starkly illustrates the tension between **Faith vs. Sight**, questioning whether belief is contingent on continuous miraculous displays or on a deeper trust in Christ's person and word, a theme echoed later in [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed are those who believe without seeing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This term (G4592) denotes an indication, especially one that is ceremonially or supernaturally significant. In John's Gospel, _sēmeîon_ is more than just a miracle or wonder; it is a pointer, a symbol that reveals a deeper spiritual truth about Jesus' identity and mission. The crowd, however, sought a sign primarily for its physical benefit or as a continuous spectacle, missing its revelatory purpose.
* **see (Greek, _eídō'_):** Derived from G1492, this verb means "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication, "to know." The crowd's desire "that we may see" indicates a longing for empirical evidence, a visual confirmation that would compel belief. Yet, their seeing was superficial, failing to lead to true spiritual understanding or recognition of Jesus' divine nature.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this word signifies "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," implying credit or trust. The crowd states their desire to "believe thee," but their conditionality—"what sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?"—reveals a transactional understanding of faith, dependent on continuous external validation rather than a surrender to Jesus' authority and person.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They said therefore unto him":** This clause indicates the crowd's direct response and challenge to Jesus' previous statements, particularly His admonition to seek enduring food. The "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) highlights the logical, albeit flawed, progression of their thought process based on their material desires.
* **"What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?":** This is the core of their demand. They are asking for a specific, compelling, and perhaps ongoing miracle that would serve as irrefutable proof, enabling them to "see" (perceive, understand) and consequently "believe" in Him. The phrasing suggests a test or a challenge, implying that Jesus' previous signs were insufficient or not of the kind they expected.
* **"what dost thou work?":** This is a parallel question, reinforcing their demand for a demonstration of power and authority. The word "work" (G2038, _ergázomai_) implies a continuous or characteristic activity, further emphasizing their desire for an ongoing, Moses-like provision rather than a singular, profound act.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Rhetorical Question** is prominently featured, as the crowd's questions are not merely requests for information but expressions of doubt, challenge, and a veiled accusation that Jesus has not yet performed a sufficient "work" or "sign." There is profound **Irony** in their demand for a sign, given that Jesus had just performed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, which was itself a powerful sign pointing to His divine provision. The crowd's spiritual blindness is underscored by this irony; they saw the miracle but missed the **Symbolism** of the bread and the identity of the Giver. Their request for a "sign" (σημεῖον) also functions as a **Motif** throughout John's Gospel, highlighting the tension between superficial belief based on wonders and true faith in Jesus' person.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:30 serves as a critical juncture, exposing the superficiality of a faith dependent on constant external validation rather than a deep, abiding trust in God's revealed truth. The crowd's demand for a sign, despite having just witnessed Jesus' miraculous provision, underscores humanity's persistent struggle with spiritual discernment. They sought a tangible, continuous, and self-serving miracle, echoing Israel's demand for manna in the wilderness, thereby missing the deeper spiritual reality Jesus embodied. This passage highlights that true faith is not predicated on a continuous stream of sensational proofs but on the conviction of who Jesus is—the divine Son who offers eternal life. It challenges believers to move beyond a transactional understanding of God, where blessings are conditional on signs, to a relational understanding rooted in His character and word.

* [Matthew 12:38-39](/matthew/12-38-39 "Matthew 12:38-39 - The Sign of Jonah")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - Jews Demand Signs, Greeks Seek Wisdom")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The crowd's persistent demand for a sign in [John 6:30](/john/6-30 "John 6:30 - The Demand for a Sign"), even after witnessing profound miracles, offers a timeless mirror for our own spiritual journey. It challenges us to examine the basis of our faith. Do we, like the crowd, seek continuous, tangible proofs or sensational experiences before we fully trust? Or do we cultivate a deep, abiding confidence in Christ's person and His word, even when circumstances are unclear or when the miraculous is not immediately evident? True faith is not a passive reception of external validation, but an active, ongoing commitment to Jesus as the source of eternal life. This passage calls us to move beyond a superficial desire for signs and to seek the spiritual nourishment that comes from knowing and following Jesus, the true "Bread of Life," recognizing that blessed are those who believe without seeing ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed are those who believe without seeing")). Our spiritual growth is often found not in the pursuit of more signs, but in a deeper understanding and application of the signs already given, particularly the ultimate sign of Christ's resurrection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the crowd, be seeking external validation or continuous "signs" rather than cultivating a deeper, more trusting faith in Jesus?**
* **How do my expectations of God's work align or conflict with the spiritual truths Jesus reveals, especially regarding provision and sustenance?**
* **What does it mean for me to "labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life" ([John 6:27](/john/6-27 "John 6:27 - Seek Enduring Food")) in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the crowd demand another sign when Jesus had just performed the miraculous feeding?**

Answer: The crowd's demand in [John 6:30](/john/6-30 "John 6:30 - The Demand for a Sign") reveals their spiritual shortsightedness and a misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission. While they had just been fed, their perspective was primarily physical and transactional. They were seeking a continuous, Moses-like provision of food, similar to the manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna from Heaven")), which they perceived as a greater and more enduring sign than the single miraculous meal. They wanted Jesus to prove His authority on their terms, demonstrating a lack of true faith in Him as the Son of God, even after witnessing His power. Jesus later clarifies their motive: they sought Him "not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled" ([John 6:26](/john/6-26 "John 6:26 - The Crowd's Motive")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The crowd's demand for a sign in [John 6:30](/john/6-30 "John 6:30 - The Demand for a Sign") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a continuous display of physical wonders, but in Jesus Himself as the singular, all-sufficient sign of God's presence and provision. While they sought perishable bread, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The ultimate sign Jesus offers is not a temporary miracle, but His very person and His atoning work on the cross, culminating in His resurrection. This is the "sign of Jonah" ([Matthew 12:39-40](/matthew/12-39-40 "Matthew 12:39-40 - The Sign of Jonah")), signifying His death, burial, and resurrection as the definitive proof of His divine authority and saving power. Through His sacrifice, Jesus provides eternal spiritual nourishment, fulfilling the deepest longings of humanity far beyond any physical bread. He is the ultimate revelation of God, the one through whom we "see" God's glory ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) and "believe" unto eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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 12:37

¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

John 2:18

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

John 6:36

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

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.

Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Hebrews 2:4

God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?