King James Bible
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
The crowd responds to Jesus after witnessing the feeding of the five thousand and his teaching about seeking eternal food. Their approach shows eagerness but also reveals they still think in terms of human effort rather than divine grace. This question exposes a works-based mindset common in first-century Judaism, where righteousness was often measured by adherence to laws and rituals. The crowd assumes salvation requires specific actions they must perform. The phrase reveals their misunderstanding—they believe God's works are tasks to accomplish rather than faith to receive. This sets up Jesus' pivotal response in verse 29, where he redefines 'God's work' as believing in the One sent.