For the moment the interest of the hearers was awakened. They exclaimed, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" They had been performing many and burdensome works in order to recommend themselves to God; and they were ready to hear of any new observance by which they could secure greater merit. Their question meant, What shall we do that we may deserve heaven? What is the price we are required to pay in order to obtain the life to come?

For en kort stund vakte dette tilhørernes interesse. De udbrød: "Hvad skal vi gøre for at udføre Guds gerninger?" De havde udrettet mange og byrdefulde gerninger for at vinde Guds velbehag, og de var rede til at høre, om der var noget nyt, de skulle overholde, og hvorved de kunne gøre sig fortjent til noget bedre. Deres spørgsmål betød: Hvad skal vi gøre for at gøre os fortjent til Himmelen? Hvad er prisen, man kræver, at vi skal betale for at kunne opnå det kommende liv?