10:37a

If I am not doing the works of My Father: The word If here introduces a situation that is not true. This is an unreal or unfulfilled condition. Consider how it is natural to suggest situations that are possible but not true. For example:

If I were not doing what my Father ⌊wants me to do⌋
-or-
If I fail to do what my Father does (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
If my deeds are not the deeds of my Father (Revised English Bible)

the works of My Father: This phrase refers to the works or deeds of God. Jesus does the same things as his Father God, just as God wants him to. The fact that Jesus and his Father do the same works is evidence that they are one. Refer to the notes on 5:19–20, 36, and 9:4. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things my Father does (God’s Word)
-or-
the things my Father wants me to do (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be natural to translate the noun works as a verb. For example:

I do as my Father does

10:37b

then do not believe Me: This command indicates what people should do if the condition in 10:37a were true/fulfilled. People should not believe Jesus if he did not do what God wanted. However, Jesus did what his Father wanted him to do. So people should believe him.

Translate this clause in a way that indicates that the only reason that people should not believe Jesus is if he did not do what God wanted. However, do not imply that Jesus did not do what God wanted because that is not true. For example:

If I am not doing my Father’s work, there is no need to believe me (New Jerusalem Bible)

do not believe Me: Here the word believe refers to believing what Jesus said. It probably does not include the idea of trusting in him. Jesus said believe Me, not “believe in me.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

do not believe my words
-or-
do not believe what I say

General Comment on 10:37a–b

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 10:37a and b. For example:

Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. (New International Version)

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