What does John 10:38 mean?

Explanation

John 10:38 is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is speaking to the Jewish authorities who question his authority and identity.

In this verse, Jesus appeals to his works as evidence of his divine nature and unity with God the Father. He essentially says that even if the people do not believe his words, the works he performs should be enough to convince them that he is in the Father and the Father is in him.

This suggests a profound metaphysical relationship between Jesus and God, emphasized through his actions, presumably referring to his miracles and teachings that reflect the will and power of God.

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is usually dated to the end of the 1st century AD.

At this time, the Christian community was defining its beliefs and often found itself in conflict with Jewish religious authorities.

The Gospel of John reflects a stage where understanding the nature of Jesus and his relationship to God the Father was of central importance.

John often stresses Jesus's divine aspects more than the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

The verse reflects a tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders about his identity and the claim that he was sent by and was in union with God.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse in varied ways:

• Trinitarian Christianity typically views this verse as evidence of the intricate unity between God the Father and Jesus the Son, suggesting that both are distinct but not separate persons within the Godhead.
• Non-Trinitarian Christians might see this as a figurative expression of unity in purpose and will rather than an ontological unity.
• Critical scholars may interpret this verse as part of John's high Christology, which served to establish Jesus's divine identity, a concept that evolved over the decades following Jesus's earthly ministry.

Practical Applications

This verse carries several applications:

• Faith in Deeds: It encourages individuals to look at actions as a testament to one’s beliefs and character, and to let their own actions reflect their faith.
• Testing Truth: It suggests that truth can and should be tested through observable evidence.
• Inspiration for Unity: The unity between Jesus and the Father can serve as a model for believers in their relationships with God and with each other, seeking a unity of purpose and will.

Cross-References

• 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."
• 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."
• John 17:21: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key phrases include:

• εἰ ἐγὼ ποιῶ (ei egō poiō): "if I do" indicates the conditionality of Jesus's statement.
• πατὴρ ἐν ἐμοὶ, κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ (patēr en emoi, kagō en autō): "the Father is in me, and I in him" suggests a mutual indwelling, which is a central aspect of Trinitarian theology.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths and religions also frequently featured gods with complex relationships.

However, the concept of Jesus being both fully divine and fully human is quite distinct in Christianity.

Ancient Greek thought talked about unity with the divine through various means, but the Christian notion of unity is more personal and relational.

Jesus's claim of unity with God in such a literal sense was revolutionary and unprecedented in Jewish monotheistic beliefs.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives generally do not directly intersect with theological concepts like the unity of Jesus with God.

The "works" could be appreciated metaphorically in terms of the observable results of actions.

Science relies on observable evidence, and in that broad sense, Jesus's appeal to his works aligns with the idea of validation through evidence, although his works include supernatural claims that science does not affirm or deny.

Commentaries

• Matthew Henry's Commentary highlights the sufficiency of Christ's works as evidence of his divine commission and the obligation for the observer to understand and accept Christ's divine nature.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary discusses the credibility of the works Jesus performed in confirming his statements and the inherent unity between the Father and Christ.
• The New Bible Commentary might focus on the theological significance of Jesus's unity with the Father, as well as the implications for understanding the nature of the Messiah in the emerging Christian faith.