Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

JOHN 10:32KJV
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John 10:32 (KJV)

What does John 10:32 mean?

John 10:32 shows Jesus challenging the people who are preparing to stone him. He points to the many good things he has done from his Father and asks which one has led them to turn against him.

After the people take up stones in verse 31, Jesus addresses them directly. His question sets his good works beside their violent response, asking them to explain the connection between the two.

The Greek behind John 10:32

  • “good” — καλός (kalos): The Greek often describes something as fine, beautiful, or admirable. Here the word presents Jesus’ works as worthy of approval, sharpening the contrast with the stones in his listeners’ hands.
  • “shewed” — δείκνυμι (deiknymi): The word carries the sense of showing or making something visible. Jesus points to works his listeners have been able to see, not merely to claims he has made.

Why John 10:32 matters

  • Jesus connects his works to his Father. By saying that the works are “from my Father,” he presents them as having their source in the one he calls Father.
  • The reply in verse 33 shows why the people are ready to stone him. They say their reason is not a good work but what they regard as an offense against God, because Jesus, a man, makes himself God.
  • The question prepares for Jesus’ later appeal to his works. In verses 37–38, he tells his listeners to consider those works when weighing what he says about his relationship with the Father.

Where else these words appear

“stone” Greek G3034 · used in 8 verses

  • John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
  • John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
  • Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

“shewed” Greek G1166 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
  • James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

“which” Greek G4169 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
  • Mark 11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
  • John 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

“good” Greek G2570 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
  • 1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;