John 6:28
in John 6Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God?
KJV
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
⋯
This verse in John 6
Commentary
15 notes on this verseNot of good purpose is the enquiry, nor yet as one might suppose does the question proceed from desire of knowledge on their part, but is rather the result of exceeding arrogance. For as if they would deign to learn nought beyond what they knew already, they well nigh say something of this sort, Sufficient, good Sir, to us are the writings of Moses: we know as much as we need of the things at which he who is skilful in the works of God ought to aim.
This site's exposition
the works of God
on John 6:28-29
What must we do assumes a list of tasks to be finished. Jesus names one thing, believing in the One the Father has sent, and He calls that believing the work of God. They ask in the plural and He answers in the singular.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" For He had said to them, "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life." "What shall we do?" they say; by observing what, shall we be able to fulfil this precept?
For the Lord had said in the gospels, Work not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which abideth unto life eternal, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him the Father, even God, hath sealed. They said therefore unto Him, What must we do that we may work the works of God? And He said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent. In setting forth the mystery of His Incarnation and His Godhead our Lord has also uttered the teaching of our faith and hope that we should work for food, not that which perisheth but that which abideth for ever; that we should remember that this food of eternity is given us by the Son of Man; that we should know the Son of Man as sealed by God the Father; that we should know that this is the work of God, even faith in Him Whom He has sent. And Who is it Whom the Father has sent? Even He Whom the Father has sealed. And Who is He Whom the Father has sealed? In truth, the Son of Man, even He who gives the food of eternal life. And further who are they to whom He gives it? They who shall work for the food that does not perish. Thus, then, the work for this food is at the same time the work of God, namely, to believe on Him Whom He has sent.
As though they had heard nothing, they said, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" This they said, not that they might learn and do them, (as the sequel shows,) but to induce Him again to supply them with food, and desiring to persuade Him to satisfy them.
The Medieval Church2 voices
They understood that the meat, which remaineth unto eternal life, was the work of God: and therefore they ask Him what to do to work the work of God, i. e. obtain the meat: Then said they unto Him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God?
899 Next (v 28), we see the nature of spiritual food. First, the Jews pose their question; in the second place, we have the answer of Jesus Christ (v 29). 900 Concerning the first, we should note that the Jews, since they had been taught …
8 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church3 voices
i. e. By keeping what commandments shall we be able to fulfil the law of God?
The Jews want to learn about the work of God not in order to perform it, but in order to obtain an occasion for talk.
Here the instruction of those who doubt is touched upon: for not understanding Christ's correction, they begin to doubt and to inquire. On account of this he says: "They said therefore to him," namely the Jews: "What shall we do, that we may work the …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Then said they unto him,.... Understanding by what he said, that they must labour and work, though not for perishing food, yet for durable food; and as they imagined, in order to obtain eternal life by working: what shall we do that we might work the works of God?
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? - That is, such things as God will approve. This was the earnest inquiry of men who were seeking to be saved. They had crossed the Sea of Tiberias to seek him; they supposed him to be the Messiah, and they sincerely desired to be taught the way of life; yet it is observable that they expected to find that way as other sinners commonly do - by their works. The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last that the sinner ever surrenders.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
These verses form the beginning of one of the most remarkable passages in the Gospels. None, perhaps, of our Lord's discourses has occasioned more controversy, and been more misunderstood, than that which we find in the Sixth Chapter of John. We should observe, for one thing, in these verses, the spiritual ignorance and unbelief of the natural man. Twice over we see this brought out and exemplified.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
These verses form the beginning of one of the most remarkable passages in the Gospels. None, perhaps, of our Lord's discourses has occasioned more controversy, and been more misunderstood, than that which we find in the Sixth Chapter of John. We should observe, for one thing, in these verses, the spiritual ignorance and unbelief of the natural man. Twice over we see this brought out and exemplified. When our Lord instructed his hearers to "labor for the food which endures to eternal life," they immediately began to think of 'works to be done', and a goodness of their own to be established. "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" Doing, doing, doing, was their only idea of the way to heaven. Again, when our Lord spoke of Himself as One sent of God, and the need of believing on Him at once, they turn round with the question,"What sign show you? what do you work?" Fresh from the mighty miracle of the loaves and fishes, one might have thought they had had a sign sufficient to convince them. Taught by our Lord Jesus Christ himself, one might have expected a greater readiness to believe. But alas! there are no limits to man's dulness, prejudice, and unbelief in spiritual matters. It is a striking fact that the only thing which our Lord is said to have "marveled" at during His earthly ministry, was man's "unbelief." (Mark 6:6.) We shall do well to remember this, if we ever try to do good to others in the matter of religion. We must not be cast down because our words are not believed, and our efforts seem thrown away. We must not complain of it as a strange thing, and suppose that the people we have to deal with are peculiarly stubborn and hard. We must recollect that this is the very cup of which our Lord had to drink, and like Him we must patiently work on.
That we might work the works of God? - That is, Divine works, or such as God can approve.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἶπον | eipon | They said | G2036 → | 925 times |
| οὖν | oun | therefore | G3767 → | 497 times |
| πρὸς | pros | to | G4314 → | 700 times |
| αὐτόν· | auton | Him; | G846 → | 5565 times |
| τί | ti | What | G5101 → | 563 times |
| ποιῶμεν | poiomen | shall we do | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἐργαζώμεθα | ergazometha | we may be doing | G2038 → | 41 times |
| τὰ | ta | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἔργα | erga | works | G2041 → | 168 times |
| τοῦ | tou | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεοῦ;¶ | theou | of God? | G2316 → | 1312 times |
εἶπονThey said
eiponG2036 →925 times
οὖνtherefore
ounG3767 →497 times
πρὸςto
prosG4314 →700 times
αὐτόν·Him;
autonG846 →5565 times
τίWhat
tiG5101 →563 times
ποιῶμενshall we do
poiomenG4160 →569 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἐργαζώμεθαwe may be doing
ergazomethaG2038 →41 times
τὰthe
taG3588 →19766 times
ἔργαworks
ergaG2041 →168 times
τοῦ<the>
touG3588 →19766 times
θεοῦ;¶of God?
theouG2316 →1312 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Luke 10:25One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
it leads to
- Matthew 22:34–39
And when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together.
- Luke 18:18
Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Matthew 22:34–39
Through
Acts 9:6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
it leads to
- Acts 22:10
Then I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me. ‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Acts 22:10
Through
Acts 2:37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
it leads to
- Luke 3:10
The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Luke 3:10
Through
Matthew 19:16Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”
it leads to
- Mark 10:17–30
As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- John 3:15
that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
- Luke 18:18–30
Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Jude 1:21
keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.
- Mark 10:17–30
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies28
- Bread
- The Bronze Serpent
- Cut Off from Among His People
- Eternal Life
- Eternal Security, and the Five Warnings of Hebrews
- Feeding the Five Thousand, John 6:1-15
Show the next 6 titles
Show the next 6 titles
About John
This page draws on 15 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alcuin of York, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John 25; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on John, Chapter 6; Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 3; Hilary of Poitiers, ON THE TRINITY 8.42; J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, John; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Calvin, Commentary on the Gospel according to John; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of John 45; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on John and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on John.