If I am not doing the works of My Father
This phrase emphasizes Jesus' claim to divine authority and mission. The "works" refer to the miracles and teachings of Jesus, which are consistent with the character and will of God the Father. In the context of John's Gospel, these works include healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead, all of which demonstrate His divine nature and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 35:5-6). The phrase also highlights the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, as seen in John 5:19, where Jesus states that He can do nothing by Himself but only what He sees the Father doing.

then do not believe Me.
Here, Jesus presents a logical argument to His audience. If His actions were not aligned with God's will, then they would have reason to doubt His claims. This statement challenges the listeners to evaluate His works as evidence of His divine mission. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, signs and wonders were often seen as validation of a prophet's message. Jesus invites scrutiny of His works as a basis for belief, aligning with the Jewish expectation of signs as seen in Deuteronomy 18:21-22, where a prophet's authenticity is tested by the fulfillment of their words. This phrase underscores the importance of faith based on evidence and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah through His works.

1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders and the people, asserting His divine authority and connection to God the Father.

2. Jewish Leaders
The audience to whom Jesus is speaking. They are skeptical of Jesus' claims and are often in opposition to His teachings.

3. Jerusalem
The city where this discourse takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and the setting for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles.

4. The Father (God)
Referred to by Jesus as the source of His works, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of His mission.

5. Miracles/Works
The acts performed by Jesus that testify to His divine nature and mission, serving as evidence of His claims.The Importance of Works as Evidence
Jesus emphasizes that His works are a testament to His divine mission. Believers should recognize the importance of actions as evidence of faith and divine calling.

Discernment in Belief
Jesus challenges His audience to discern the truth of His claims based on His works. Christians are called to use discernment in evaluating teachings and claims, ensuring they align with Scripture and the character of God.

The Unity of Jesus and the Father
Jesus' works are directly linked to the Father, highlighting the unity between them. Believers are encouraged to seek unity with God through obedience and alignment with His will.

Faith Rooted in Evidence
While faith is essential, Jesus shows that it can be supported by evidence. Christians should be prepared to provide reasons for their faith, grounded in Scripture and the works of God.

Living Out Faith Through Actions
Just as Jesus' works testified to His identity, believers are called to live out their faith through actions that reflect God's love and truth.(37) If I do not the works of my Father.--He has met the charge of blasphemy on technical grounds. In this and the following verse He advances from that defence to the ultimate test. Whether He is a blasphemer or not depends upon whether He represents God or not, and to prove this He appeals again to the works. Are they or are they not the works of the Father? (John 10:32; comp. John 5:17; John 5:36; John 9:3; John 14:10.)

Verse 37. - "I and the Father are one," and "I am the Son of God." These two mighty utterances are equivalent to the following: "I do the works of my Father." My works are his works, his works are mine. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." The recognition of the Divine is a sign of the regenerated mind, and a test of fitness for a place in Christ's flock (cf. "I know my sheep, and my sheep know me"). The Jews had not recognized the true reciprocal relation between the Father and Son. He had come out from God, and been sent from the Father to produce this impression, to make known the Father by his Sonship; and he had taken steps to convince even unbelieving men of the identity of his nature and Spirit with that of the Father. He is content to rest his claims upon their belief, on the character of his works. He is content to leave the question as to whether he be a blasphemer or one with the Father, a sinner of sinners or Son of God, on the evidence of his works - on the God-like, Father-like character of his entire ministry (cf. ver. 32; John 5:17, 36; John 9:3). If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. "If the evidence be insufficient, I acquit you of blame in not taking me at my word. My own words and Person and life might be enough for you; but if my works are not in perfect harmony with the best you know of the Father, believe me not." Christ's appeal to the reason of his hearers, to the sufficiency of the evidence he had given, would justify unbelief in case of a proved failure.

Parallel Commentaries ...


If
Εἰ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

I am not doing
ποιῶ (poiō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

works
ἔργα (erga)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Father,
Πατρός (Patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

[then] {do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

believe
πιστεύετέ (pisteuete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

Me.
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Gospels: John 10:37 If I don't do the works (Jhn Jo Jn)