The Meaning of John 6:29 Explained

John 6:29

KJV: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

YLT: Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that ye may believe in him whom He did send.'

Darby: Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he has sent.

ASV: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Jesus  answered  and  said  unto them,  This  is  the work  of God,  that  ye believe  on  him  whom  he hath sent. 

What does John 6:29 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The only work that God requires of people for salvation is faith in His Son (cf. John 3:11-17). The work that Jesus specified was not something physical at all. It was what God requires, namely, trust in Jesus (cf. Romans 3:28). Jesus" reply was a flat contradiction of the idea that people can earn salvation with their good deeds. This is another of the many great evangelistic verses in John"s Gospel ( John 1:12; John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47; et al.).

Context Summary

John 6:22-29 - Insincere Seekers Of Truth
The mention in John 6:23 of Christ's giving thanks, recalls the vivid impression made by that solemn act, and the great importance which those who witnessed it attached to it. When the multitudes, disembarking on the other side of the Lake found Jesus there, though they knew that He had not accompanied His disciples in the one boat that left the farther shore on the previous night, His presence had the effect of an apparition. See John 6:25. Our Lord's answer to the question of the crowd deals with the motive that dictated it. He exposed the spurious and carnal impulses that actuated them, and contrasted the satisfaction of natural hunger, John 6:26, with that true and effectual seeking which leads to the nourishment of the spirit, John 6:27. What a difference between these people, with their gross aspirations and carnal desires, and the spiritual Israel, which could say with the psalmist, "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God!" All the labor described in John 6:27 is to maintain a pure heart and exercise an appropriating faith. God sealed Christ by His declaration at the water of baptism and the miracles which were wrought through the Father's power, John 14:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 6

1  Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes
15  Thereupon the people would have made him king;
16  but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples;
26  reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word;
32  declares himself to be the bread of life to believers
66  Many disciples depart from him
68  Peter confesses him
70  Judas is a devil

Greek Commentary for John 6:29

The work of God that ye believe [το εργον του τεου ινα πιστευητε]
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul speaks of “your work of faith” So here Jesus terms belief in him as the work of God. These Jews were thinking of various deeds of the Pharisaic type and rules. Jesus turns their minds to the central fact. “This simple formula contains the complete solution of the relation of faith and works” (Westcott). Note the present active subjunctive πιστευητε — pisteuēte “that ye may keep on believing.” On him whom he hath sent The pronominal antecedent Note εκεινος — ekeinos for God (emphatic he). [source]
Believe []
Faith is put as a moral act or work. The work of God is to believe. Faith includes all the works which God requires. The Jews' question contemplates numerous works. Jesus' answer directs them to one work. Canon Westcott justly observes that “this simple formula contains the complete solution of the relation of faith and works.” [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 6:29

John 1:12 Believe on [πιστευούσιν εἰς]
The present participle, believing, indicates the present and continuous activity of faith. The word is used by John, sometimes with the dative case simply meaning to believe a person or thing; i.e., to believe that they are true or speak the truth. Thus, to believe the Scripture (John 2:22); believe me (John 4:21); believe Moses, his writings, my words (John 4:46). At other times with a preposition, εἰς , into, which is rendered believe in, or believe on. So here, John 6:29; John 8:30; 1 John 5:10. See the two contrasted in John 6:29, John 6:30; John 8:30, John 8:31; 1 John 5:10. To believe in, or on, is more than mere acceptance of a statement. It is so to accept a statement or a person as to rest upon them, to trust them practically; to draw upon and avail one's self of all that is offered to him in them. Hence to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is not merely to believe the facts of His historic life or of His saving energy as facts, but to accept Him as Savior, Teacher, Sympathizer, Judge; to rest the soul upon Him for present and future salvation, and to accept and adopt His precepts and example as binding upon the life. [source]
John 4:34 To do the will [ινα ποιησω το τελημα]
Non-final use of ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive as subject or predicate nominative as in John 6:29; John 15:8; John 17:3. The Messianic consciousness of Jesus is clear and steady (John 5:30; John 6:38). He never doubted that the Father sent him. And to accomplish his work ινα — Hina understood with τελειωσω — teleiōsō in like idiom, first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω — teleioō (from τελειος — teleios), to bring to an end. See John 5:36. In John 17:4 (the Intercessory Prayer) he will say that he has done He will carry through the Father‘s programme (John 3:16). That is his “food.” He had been doing that in winning the woman to God. [source]
John 5:22 He hath given all judgment unto the Son [την κρισιν πασαν δεδωκεν τωι υιωι]
Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi state of completion (as in John 3:35; John 6:27, John 6:29; John 10:29, etc.). See this prerogative claimed for Christ already in John 3:17. See the picture of Christ as Judge of men in Matt 25:31-46. [source]
John 6:35 I am the bread of life [Εγω ειμι ο αρτος της ζωης]
This sublime sentence was startling in the extreme to the crowd. Philo does compare the manna to the τειος λογος — theios logos in an allegorical sense, but this language is far removed from Philo‘s vagueness. In the Synoptics (Mark 14:22; Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:19) Jesus uses bread He is the bread of life in two senses: it has life in itself, the living bread (John 6:51), and it gives life to others like the water of life, the tree of life. John often has Jesus saying “I am” As also in John 6:41, John 6:48, John 6:51; John 8:12; John 10:7, John 10:9, John 10:11, John 10:14; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 15:1, John 15:5. He that cometh to me The first act of the soul in approaching Jesus. See also John 6:37. Shall not hunger Strong double negative ου με — ou me with first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive, “shall not become hungry.” He that believeth on me The continuous relation of trust after coming like πιστευητε — pisteuēte (present tense) in John 6:29. See both verbs used together also in John 7:37. Shall never thirst So the old MSS. the future active indicative instead of the aorist subjunctive as above, an even stronger form of negation with πωποτε — pōpote (John 1:18) added. [source]
John 6:54 He that eateth [ο τρωγων]
Present active participle for continual or habitual eating like πιστευετε — pisteuete in John 6:29. The verb τρωγω — trōgō is an old one for eating fruit or vegetables and the feeding of animals. In the N.T. it occurs only in John 6:54, John 6:56, John 6:58; John 13:18; Matthew 24:38. Elsewhere in the Gospels always εστιω — esthiō or επαγον — ephagon (defective verb with εστιω — esthiō). No distinction is made here between επαγον — ephagon (John 6:48, John 6:50, John 6:52, John 6:53, John 6:58) and τρωγω — trōgō (John 6:54, John 6:56, John 6:57, John 6:58). Some men understand Jesus here to be speaking of the Lord‘s Supper by prophetic forecast or rather they think that John has put into the mouth of Jesus the sacramental conception of Christianity by making participation in the bread and wine the means of securing eternal life. To me that is a violent misinterpretation of the Gospel and an utter misrepresentation of Christ. It is a grossly literal interpretation of the mystical symbolism of the language of Jesus which these Jews also misunderstood. Christ uses bold imagery to picture spiritual appropriation of himself who is to give his life-blood for the life of the world (John 6:51). It would have been hopeless confusion for these Jews if Jesus had used the symbolism of the Lord‘s Supper. It would be real dishonesty for John to use this discourse as a propaganda for sacramentalism. The language of Jesus can only have a spiritual meaning as he unfolds himself as the true manna. [source]
John 6:69 We have believed [ημεις πεπιστευκαμεν]
Perfect active indicative of πιστευω — pisteuō “We have come to believe and still believe” (John 6:29). And know Same tense of γινωσκω — ginōskō “We have come to know and still know.” Thou art the Holy One of God Bernard follows those who believe that this is John‘s report of the same confession given by the Synoptics (Mark 8:27.; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18.), an utterly unjustifiable conclusion. The details are wholly different. Here in the synagogue in Capernaum, there on Mt. Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. What earthly difficulty is there in supposing that Peter could make a noble confession twice? That is to my mind a wooden conception of the apostles in their growing apprehension of Christ. [source]
Hebrews 3:1 The apostle and high priest [τὸν ἀπόστολον καὶ ἀρχιερέα]
In calling Jesus apostle, the writer is thinking of Moses as one sent by God to lead Israel to Canaan. Comp. lxx, where ἀποστέλλειν tosend is often used of Moses. See Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+10:16&sr=1">Luke 10:16; John 3:17; John 5:36; John 6:29. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Works [εργα]
The whole life and conduct as in John 6:29.And thy toil and patience (και τον κοπον και την υπομονην σου — kai ton kopon kai tēn hupomonēn sou). “Both thy toil and patience,” in explanation of εργα — erga and see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where all three words (εργον κοποσ υπομονη — ergonεργα — koposκοποι — hupomonē) occur together as here. See Revelation 14:13 for sharp distinction between υπομονη — erga (activities) and κοπος — kopoi (toils, with weariness). Endurance (και οτι — hupomonē) in hard toil (κοπος — kopos).And that Further explanation of δυνασαι — kopos (hard toil).Not able (βαστασαι — ou dunēi). This Koiné form for the Attic βασταζω — dunasai (second person singular indicative middle) occurs also in Mark 9:22; Luke 16:2.Bear First aorist active infinitive of πειραζω — bastazō for which verb see John 10:31; John 12:6; Galatians 6:2. These evil men were indeed a heavy burden.And didst try (δυνηι εχεις — kai epeirasas). First aorist active indicative of τους λεγοντας εαυτους αποστολους — peirazō to test, a reference to a recent crisis when these Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6) were condemned. The present tenses (και ουκ εισιν — dunēiκαι ουκ οντας — echeis) indicate the continuance of this attitude. Cf. 1 John 4:1.Which call themselves apostles Perhaps itinerant missionaries of these Nicolaitans who posed as equal to or even superior to the original apostles, like the Judaizers so described by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul had foretold such false teachers (Gnostics), grievous wolves, in Acts 20:29; in sheep‘s clothing, Jesus had said (Matthew 7:15).And they are not (και ευρες — kai ouk eisin). A parenthesis in Johannine style (John 2:9; John 3:9; 1 John 3:1) for ευρισκω — kai ouk ontas to correspond to επειρασας — legontas didst find (πσευδεις — kai heures). Second aorist active indicative of πσευδης — heuriskō Dropping back to the regular structure parallel with epeirasas (pseudeis). Predicate accusative plural of pseudēs self-deceived deceivers as in Revelation 21:8. [source]

What do the individual words in John 6:29 mean?

Answered - Jesus and said to them This is the work - of God that you should believe in Him whom has sent He
Ἀπεκρίθη ‹ὁ› Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἵνα πιστεύητε εἰς ὃν ἀπέστειλεν ἐκεῖνος

Ἀπεκρίθη  Answered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποκρίνομαι  
Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.
‹ὁ›  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
εἶπεν  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
Τοῦτό  This 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἔργον  work 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
πιστεύητε  you  should  believe 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
ὃν  Him  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἀπέστειλεν  has  sent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποστέλλω 
Sense: to order (one) to go to a place appointed.