MY FATHER IS ALWAYS AT HIS WORK

Passage: John 5:16-23

Key verse: 17

NIV

The Authority of the Son

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father(A) is always at his work(B) to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him;(C) not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.(D)

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself;(E) he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son(F) and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these,(G) so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,(H) even so the Son gives life(I) to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,(J) 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.(K)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 And this was why the Jews (A)were persecuting Jesus, (B)because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Jesus Is Equal with God

18 This was why the Jews (C)were seeking all the more to kill him, (D)because not only was he (E)breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God (F)his own Father, (G)making himself equal with God.

The Authority of the Son

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, (H)the Son (I)can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[a] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For (J)the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And (K)greater works than these will he show him, so that (L)you may marvel. 21 For as the Father (M)raises the dead and (N)gives them life, so (O)also the Son gives life (P)to whom he will. 22 (Q)For the Father judges no one, but (R)has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they (S)honor the Father. (T)Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

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Footnotes
  1. John 5:19 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. He called God his Father (16-18)

Jesus did God's work; he gave new life to a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. When the Jews criticized him for working on the Sabbath, he pointed out that his Father God was working, so he worked too. Then they tried to kill him for making himself equal with God. Jesus the Son of God lived among men; he did whatever he saw his Father doing; he did nothing that was pointless. He shows us how to please God. Pleasing God sometimes displeases people.

2. God gives life (19-23)

The Father gives life, for he is the Creator. He sent Jesus to be the life-giver. Those who destroy life and tear down faith are not from God. God who raised Jesus from the dead is still at work giving life to people dead in sin. God is the judge; he entrusted judgment to his Son. Those who judge Jesus are judging themselves; they dishonor the Father and the Son.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for working in my heart to give me life. Help me to share in your life-giving work by being a Bible teacher.

One Word: The Father and the Son give life