John 6:28

John 6:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
• New International Version (NIV)Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

Context of John 6:28

26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, Ye seek me not because ye have seen signs, but because ye have eaten of the loaves and been filled. 27Work not [for] the food which perishes, but [for] the food which abides unto life eternal, which the Son of man shall give to you; for him has the Father sealed, [even] God. They said therefore to him, What should we do that we may work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he has sent. 30They said therefore to him, What sign then doest thou that we may see and believe thee? what dost thou work?

John 6:28 word by word

εἶπον οὖν πρὸς αὐτόν· τί ποιῶμεν ἵνα ἐργαζώμεθα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ θεοῦ;¶Read the interlinear

• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• workἔργονergon · workG2041
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for John 6:28

• Deuteronomy 5:27Come thou near, and hear all that Jehovah our God will say; and speak thou to us all that Jehovah our God will speak to thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
• Jeremiah 42:3that Jehovah thy God may shew us the way wherein we should walk, and the thing that we should do.
• Micah 6:7Will Jehovah take pleasure in thousands of rams, in ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
• Matthew 19:16And lo, one coming up said to him, Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have life eternal?
• Luke 10:25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up tempting him, and saying, Teacher, having done what, shall I inherit life eternal?
• Acts 2:37And having heard [it] they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, What shall we do, brethren?
• Acts 9:6But rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
• Acts 16:30And leading them out said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?

Commentaries on John 6:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28That we might work the works of God? - That is, Divine works, or such as God can approve.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28What 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-35Verses 28-35 Constant exercise of faith in Christ, is the most important and difficult part of the obedience required from us, as sinners seeking salvation. When by his grace we are enabled to live a life of faith in the Son of God, holy tempers follow, and acceptable services may be done. God, even his Father, who gave their fathers that food from heaven to support their natural lives, now gave them the true Bread for the salvation of their souls. Coming…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26-59This dialogue took place in the synagogue at Capernaum shortly before Passover (6:4, 59). During Passover, Jews would read the story of the exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 1–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 28-3128-31. What shall we do ... the works of God--such works as God will approve. Different answers may be given to such a question, according to the spirit which prompts the inquiry. (See Ho 6:6-8; Lu 3:12-14). Here our Lord, knowing whom He had to deal with, shapes His reply accordingly.Read the comment

Topics related to John 6:28

• Jesus, the Christ
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Accursed
• Capernaum
• Meat
• Murmur
• Andrew
• Jesus Christ
• Johannine Theology
• John, Gospel of

Commentaries on John 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings