Paragraph 10:25–30

Jesus answered those who were challenging him. He told them clearly that he was one with his Father.

10:25a

I already told you: This clause indicates that Jesus already told the people who he was. It is good to translate this clause with emphasis. For example:

I did tell you (New International Version)

Jesus replied: These words introduce Jesus’ response to those who had just challenged him. In some languages it is more natural to say whom he answered. For example:

Jesus answered them (God’s Word)

but: The common Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but here introduces something that is not expected.

you did not believe: This clause indicates that the people listening to Jesus did not believe what he said. The problem was not that Jesus had not told them if he was the Messiah. The problem was that they did not believe him. In some languages it is natural to say whom or what they would not believe. For example:

but you don’t believe me (God’s Word)
-or-
you refused to believe me (Contemporary English Version)

10:25b

The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf: Jesus indicated that the miracles he did were evidence of who he was. They showed that he told the truth when he said that he was the Messiah or Savior. Here is another way to translate this clause:

The deeds I do by my Father’s authority speak on my behalf. (Good News Translation)

The works I do…testify on My behalf: Jesus returned to the metaphor of the law court that he used in 5:36. He spoke of his works as though they were witnesses in a trial, giving evidence that he spoke the truth. This is a figure of speech. There are two ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the figurative language. For example:

The works that I do…bear witness about me. (English Standard Version)

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

The proof is the work I do…. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The miracles I do…show who I am. (New Century Version)

Translate this in a way that makes the meaning clear in your language.

The works I do: This phrase refers to Jesus’ healing miracles. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

The miracles I do (New International Version)

in My Father’s name: This phrase means “by God’s authority and power.” The miracles that Jesus did showed that he was the Messiah because only God’s power could do those things. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

by my Father’s authority (Contemporary English Version)

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