The works of God are the works that God requires to obtain the food that remains, even eternal life. The people were still thinking on the physical level. They thought Jesus was talking about some physical work that would yield eternal life. Moreover they assumed that they could do it and that by doing it they could earn eternal life. They ignored Jesus" statement that He would give them eternal life (cf. Romans 10:2-4). There is something within the fallen nature of human beings that makes working for eternal life more attractive than receiving it as a gift. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 6:22-29 - Insincere Seekers Of Truth
The mention in John 6:23 of Christ's giving thanks, recalls the vivid impression made by that solemn act, and the great importance which those who witnessed it attached to it. When the multitudes, disembarking on the other side of the Lake found Jesus there, though they knew that He had not accompanied His disciples in the one boat that left the farther shore on the previous night, His presence had the effect of an apparition. See John 6:25. Our Lord's answer to the question of the crowd deals with the motive that dictated it. He exposed the spurious and carnal impulses that actuated them, and contrasted the satisfaction of natural hunger, John 6:26, with that true and effectual seeking which leads to the nourishment of the spirit, John 6:27. What a difference between these people, with their gross aspirations and carnal desires, and the spiritual Israel, which could say with the psalmist, "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God!" All the labor described in John 6:27 is to maintain a pure heart and exercise an appropriating faith. God sealed Christ by His declaration at the water of baptism and the miracles which were wrought through the Father's power, John 14:10. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 6
1Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes 15Thereupon the people would have made him king; 16but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples; 26reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word; 32declares himself to be the bread of life to believers 66Many disciples depart from him 68Peter confesses him 70Judas is a devil
Greek Commentary for John 6:28
What must we do? [Τι ποιωμεν] Present active deliberative subjunctive of ποιεω poieō “What are we to do as a habit?” For the aorist subjunctive That we may work the works of God Final clause with ινα hina and the present middle subjunctive, “that we may go on working the works of God.” There may have been an element of vague sincerity in this question in spite of their supercilious attitude. [source]
What shall we do? [τί ποιοῦμεν] Literally, what do we do? The best texts read ποιῶμεν , what are we to do? [source]
Works [] The question is from the legal standpoint, works being regarded as the condition of obtaining the living bread. [source]
What do the individual words in John 6:28 mean?
They saidthereforetoHimWhatmust we dothatwe may be doingtheworks-of God
Greek Commentary for John 6:28
Present active deliberative subjunctive of ποιεω poieō “What are we to do as a habit?” For the aorist subjunctive That we may work the works of God Final clause with ινα hina and the present middle subjunctive, “that we may go on working the works of God.” There may have been an element of vague sincerity in this question in spite of their supercilious attitude. [source]
Literally, what do we do? The best texts read ποιῶμεν , what are we to do? [source]
The question is from the legal standpoint, works being regarded as the condition of obtaining the living bread. [source]