John 10:38, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to a hostile phase of the ministry when unbelief, hate, and scorn were being inspired against Christ. When He uttered cutting truth reproving sins the people became enraged, and they were urged on to take the life of the Son of God. More than once they took up stones to cast at Him, but angels guarded Him and bore Him away from the angry multitude to a place of safety. At another time as plain truth dropped from His holy lips the multitude laid hold of Him and led Him to the brow of a hill intending to cast Him down. A contention arose among themselves as to what to do with Him, and angels hid Him from sight so that passing through the midst of them He went His way.

In the immediate setting the Pharisees tried to provoke Him to say or do something that would give occasion to condemn Him. Several times they attempted to stone Him, but He quietly withdrew until they lost sight of Him. The leaders kept seeking every pretext to cut Him off from influencing the people.

His works were done by the Father and in His Father's name, especially His miracles of mercy, and they bear witness to Him and reveal His divine character. Even those who do not believe His words are to consider His works, so that through them they may know and believe that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. His works of mercy, together with His authoritative words and pure and holy teachings, prove who He is. Those who witnessed them could recognize that He was not a Sabbath-breaker or blasphemer, and the multitudes who saw His works and heard His teachings knew this.

The mutual indwelling of the Father in Christ and Christ in the Father means the Son and the Father are distinct persons yet one in divine unity. Christ's works and authoritative words reveal that unity and show His power to carry out His work. In claiming to be the Son of God He intended to claim divine prerogatives and equality with the Father, and He did not correct that understanding in His hearers. His works confirm His divine relationship with the Father and His claim to be the Son of God.