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 replied to them, “I can guarantee this truth: You’re not looking for me because you saw miracles. You are looking for me because you ate as much of those loaves as you wanted. 27Don’t work for food that spoils. Instead, work for the food that lasts into eternal life. This is the food the Son of Man will give you. After all, the Father has placed his seal of approval on him.” The people asked Jesus, “What does God want us to do?” 29Jesus replied to them, “God wants to do something for you so that you believe in the one whom he has sent.” 30The people asked him, “What miracle are you going to perform so that we can see it and believe in you? What are you going to do?

John 6:28 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• said theyλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• shall we doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• we might workἐργάζομαιergazomai · to workG2038
• the worksὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for John 6:28

• Deuteronomy 5:27⌞Moses,⌟ go and listen to everything that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We’ll listen and obey.”
• Jeremiah 42:3Let the Lord your God tell us where we should go and what we should do.”
• Micah 6:7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with endless streams of olive oil? Should I give him my firstborn child because of my rebellious acts? Should I give him my young child for my sin?
• Matthew 19:16Then a man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?”
• Luke 10:25Then an expert in Moses’ Teachings stood up to test Jesus. He asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
• Acts 2:37When the people heard this, they were deeply upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
• Acts 9:6Get up! Go into the city, and you’ll be told what you should do.”
• Acts 16:30Then he took Paul and Silas outside and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to 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