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The Father, the Son and the Witnesses
Jesus responds to persecution with a sustained teaching about his relationship with the Father, his authority to give life and judge, and the testimony people are refusing to accept.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
The passage follows opposition to Jesus because he did these things on the Sabbath. His answer begins with the Father still working and moves into one connected discourse about the Son’s works, the Father’s gift of life and judgment, and the witnesses that testify about him.
John 5:16–47Main takeaway
Jesus says the Father has given the Son life, judgment and confirming testimony, and he exposes unbelief as a refusal to receive the one the Father sent.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Persecution and Jesus’ claim about the FatherJesus is persecuted because he did these things on the Sabbath. He answers, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
Explanation
Jesus is persecuted because he did these things on the Sabbath. He answers, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.” His hearers take this seriously, because he not only broke the Sabbath in their view, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
02The Son does what the Father doesJesus says the Son can do nothing from himself, but only what he sees the Father doing. The Father shows the Son all he does.
Explanation
Jesus says the Son can do nothing from himself, but only what he sees the Father doing. The Father shows the Son all he does. Jesus then names the Father’s gifts to the Son: to give life, to carry out judgment, and to receive honour. Hearing Jesus’ word and believing the One who sent him brings eternal life.
03Life now, resurrection later, and righteous judgmentJesus speaks of an hour that “now is” when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice and live.
Explanation
Jesus speaks of an hour that “now is” when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice and live. He also speaks of a future hour when all in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, either to resurrection of life or of judgment. His judgment is righteous because he seeks the Father’s will.
04Witness begins with another, then John, works and the FatherJesus first says that if he testifies about himself, his witness is not valid, and that “another” testifies about him truly.
Explanation
Jesus first says that if he testifies about himself, his witness is not valid, and that “another” testifies about him truly. He mentions John’s testimony for their sake, “that you may be saved”. Yet Jesus says his works are greater testimony, and the Father himself has testified. Still, they do not have God’s word living in them because they do not believe the one he sent.
05Scriptures, human glory and MosesJesus says the Scriptures testify about him, yet they will not come to him for life. He adds that he does not receive glory from people, and says they do not have God’s love in them.
Explanation
Jesus says the Scriptures testify about him, yet they will not come to him for life. He adds that he does not receive glory from people, and says they do not have God’s love in them. Seeking glory from one another blocks belief. Finally, he says Moses, on whom they have set their hope, accuses them, because his writings should have led them to believe Jesus’ words.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Jesus say the Son receives from the Father in this passage?
02Why does Jesus bring up John’s testimony if he says his testimony is not from man?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
John 5:16–47
16For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
17But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
18For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise.
20For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
22For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
23that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
24“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
25Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live.
26For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
27He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
28Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.
31“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.
32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
37The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
38You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.
39“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
40Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
41I don’t receive glory from men.
42But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.
43I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
46For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.
47But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”