14:10a

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used as a rebuke. Jesus rebuked/scolded Philip because he spoke like someone who did not believe that Jesus and the Father were one. He wanted and expected Philip to believe that he and the Father were united.

There are at least two ways to translate this rebuke:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Don’t you believe that I, myself, am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

You (sing.) should believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is most natural in your language.

you…believe: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you…believe is singular and refers just to Philip. Some languages indicate whether “you” is singular or plural. If your language does not do that, you may want to make it clear that Jesus spoke only to Philip. For example:

Do you not believe, Philip…? (Good News Translation)

I am in the Father and the Father is in Me: This expression indicates that Jesus and the Father are united. They are one God, sharing the same nature and qualities. See the notes on 10:38, where there is a very similar expression. Here are some other ways to express this idea:

I live in the Father and the Father lives in me
-or-
that I am united with my Father and my Father is united with me

14:10b

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own: This clause indicates that Jesus did not just teach his own ideas. He did not preach a message that he had created himself, based on his own authority and decision. See the notes on 7:16–17. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

The words I say to you are not just my own. (New International Version)
-or-
What I’m telling you doesn’t come from me. (God’s Word)
-or-
I am not myself the source of the words I speak to you. (Revised English Bible)

The words I say to you: This expression refers to Jesus’ teaching or message.

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to all of the disciples. If your language does not indicate whether “you” is singular or plural, you may want to make it clear another way. For example:

Jesus said to his disciples (Good News Translation)

I do not speak on My own: This clause here indicates that Jesus did not speak words and ideas that he had created himself. The Greek text emphasizes the phrase on My own which means “without help” or “from myself.” See the notes on 7:17c and refer to your translation of that verse. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I do not speak on my own authority (English Standard Version)
-or-
The words I say to you don’t come from me (New Century Version)
-or-
I am not myself the source of the words I speak to you (Revised English Bible)

14:10c

Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works: This clause contrasts with 14:10b. Rather than speak from his own wisdom, Jesus spoke from the wisdom of God the Father living in him. The Father was the source and power of what Jesus said and did. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dwelling means “lives” or “remains.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but the Father lives in me and does his own work (New Century Version)

His works: The word works here includes both miracles and teaching. God acted through Jesus’ miracles and through his teaching. Try to translate this word using an expression that can include speech as well as actions. For example:

The Father, who lives in me, does what he wants. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 14:10b–c

14:10b is a negative statement and 14:10c is a positive statement of the same truth. In some languages it is more natural to state the positive first. For example:

10c The Father who lives in me works/acts ⌊through me⌋ . 10b The message I have been teaching is not my own.

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