King James Bible
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
This response follows the crowd's question about what works God requires (v. 28). Jesus addresses their performance-based understanding of righteousness, preparing to redefine their concept of divine work. Rather than listing religious duties or moral acts, Jesus identifies a singular "work." The phrase can mean both the work God requires and the work God himself accomplishes, suggesting faith itself originates from divine initiative. Jesus redirects all religious effort toward trusting in himself as God's sent one—the Messiah. This echoes John's Gospel theme that eternal life comes through believing in Jesus rather than through human achievements.