John 5:17-30
Chapter 5
For this reason, the Jews tried even harder to kill him, because Jesus not only broke the Sabbath rules but also claimed to be equal with God by calling God his own Father.
Jesus answered and said to them:
“Truly, I assure you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. And whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything he himself does; and he will show him even greater things than these, so that you will be amazed.
As the Father raises the dead and grants them life, so the Son gives life to those he chooses.
Similarly, the Father does not judge anyone, because he has entrusted all judgment to the Son.
He desires everyone to honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my words and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Truly, the hour is coming—and is already here—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
For just as the Father has life in himself, so also, he gave to his Son to have life in himself.
He gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Do not be surprised at this: a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice
and come out; those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, so I judge, and my judgment is correct because I do not seek my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Commentaries
Jesus’ Authority.
The Jews focus more on the violation of the Sabbath than on the healing of the lame man, and they begin to persecute Jesus. This persecution will also extend to his disciples (15:20). In his defense, Jesus does not get caught up in the details of rabbinic law but aligns himself with God, who always works in an eternal present: “My Father is always at his work, and I too am working” (17). Jesus affirms that his actions do not come from himself but from the Father, who is endlessly active and generous, acting out of love. Verse 24 is the culmination of this scene: whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (3:16.36).