What does John 5:18 mean?

Explanation

John 5:18 presents a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, which highlights the escalating tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities.

The verse states that the Jewish leaders sought to kill Jesus not only because they believed he violated the Sabbath but because he also claimed that God was his Father, thus making himself equal with God.

In this passage, breaking the Sabbath refers to Jesus having healed a man on the Sabbath (John 5:1-17), which the Jewish leaders construed as work and, therefore, a violation of the Sabbath law.

The deeper theological implication of this verse is Jesus' relationship with God the Father.

The language used by Jesus, affirming that God is His Father, was interpreted by the Jewish leaders as a claim to divinity, which was considered blasphemous and worthy of death according to Jewish Law.

The equality with God that Jesus spoke of challenged the very core of Jewish monotheism and religious identity, setting the stage for further confrontation as the narrative of the Gospel unfolds.

Historical Context

John's Gospel was written in a historical context where early Christians were articulating their understanding of who Jesus was and how he related to God the Father.

This Gospel is thought to be composed in the late first century, at a time when the followers of Jesus were increasingly distinct from mainstream Judaism.

The Jewish law strictly observed the Sabbath rest, which was a sacred commandment derived from the creation story in Genesis and codified within the Ten Commandments.

According to the Mosaic Law, violating the Sabbath was a serious offense.

Jesus' actions on the Sabbath and his subsequent teachings threatened the established religious order and the authority of Jewish leaders, leading to the growing opposition to him.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, John 5:18 has been interpreted in different ways.

Trinitarian Christians see this verse as evidence of Jesus' divine nature as the Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity.

Jesus' claim of sonship is interpreted to mean that he has the same nature as God the Father, which is central to Trinitarian doctrine.

Non-Trinitarian perspectives, such as those held by Unitarians, may interpret the passage differently, not seeing it as a claim to ontological equality with God. Instead, this can be viewed as a claim to a special relationship or a divine mandate without implying shared divinity.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 5:18 challenges believers to consider the implications of Jesus' claims about his relationship with God.

It invites reflection on the significance of observing religious law and tradition while also considering the deeper intentions behind them, such as compassion and mercy, exemplified by Jesus healing on the Sabbath.

It also poses the question of how to respond to new revelations or teachings that challenge established beliefs and the importance of discerning divine truth even when it leads to conflict or change.

Cross-References

• John 10:30-33: "I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."

• John 19:7: "The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."
• Exodus 31:14: "Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "equal" is "ἴσον" (ison), which implies being the same or alike in quantity, quality, or status.

The Greek verb "ἐποίει" (epoiei), often translated as "making" in this verse, has a sense of asserting or affirming something to be true. Analyzing these keywords sheds light on how the original audience would have understood the gravity of Jesus' claims.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context of the time, claims to divinity or to be a divine emissary were not uncommon in the ancient world. Various ancient myths featured gods taking on human form or individuals being elevated to divine status.

However, within Judaism, such a claim was abhorrent because it transgressed the fundamental belief in one God and the prohibition against idolatry.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly pertain to the theological claims of this verse, as claims of divinity and sonship with God are matters of faith rather than empirical evidence. Science primarily engages with the natural world and does not confirm or deny religious doctrine.

However, archaeological and historical research can provide insights into the cultural and historical setting of the biblical texts.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered insights into John 5:18.

Some commentaries focus on the legalistic approach of the Jewish leaders and contrast it with Jesus' focus on the intention behind the law. Others delve into the Christological significance of the verse, discussing how it reflects early Christian belief in Jesus' divine nature.

For example, the New Bible Commentary highlights that this verse reflects a misunderstanding by the Jewish authorities of Jesus' ministry and mission.

The commentary by Matthew Henry expands on the Jews' increasing hostility toward Jesus, seeing their strict adherence to the letter of the law as preventing them from understanding its spirit.

Henry also suggests that Jesus' claim to a unique relationship with God was the main catalyst for their desire to kill him.