What does John 5:19 mean?

Explanation

John 5:19 is part of the dialogue Jesus has with the Jewish leaders following the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath.

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes His dependency on and unity with the Father.

This is to assert that His works are not independent or separate from God's will, but rather are a visible expression of it.

The use of "Verily, verily" (truly, truly) signifies the gravity and certainty of His statement.

The core message is that Jesus acts in perfect harmony with the Father; they are united in purpose, action, and nature.

The phrase "The Son can do nothing of himself" underlines the son's submission and obedience to the Father, while "what he seeth the Father do" implies that Jesus has full knowledge of the Father's actions and intentions.

Historical Context

The Gospel of John was likely written towards the end of the first century A.D.

This passage comes from an account where Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath, an action that Jewish leaders saw as a violation of religious law.

To the Jews, Jesus was not only breaking Sabbath law but also making Himself equal with God by calling God His Father.

In this context, Jesus' proclamation reinforces His divine authority and counters the accusation of blasphemy levied against Him by the Jewish leaders.

Theological Insights

Christian theologians often use this verse to discuss the relationship between Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father, marking it as one of the key texts that speak to the concept of the Trinity, a cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

It depicts not only the unity between Jesus and God but the distinction of persons within the Godhead.

This passage further underscores the concept of divine revelation; Jesus is the revelation of God Himself as He does precisely what the Father does.

It clarifies that Jesus' ministry was an extension and expression of God's own work.

Practical Applications

On a practical level, believers may draw from this passage the idea of imitating Christ in submission to God's will. It teaches the importance of seeking to understand and do what God desires, rather than following one's own independent path.

This suggests a life committed to observing and participating in actions that reflect divine love and justice, as exemplified by Jesus' life and ministry.

Cross-References

• John 10:30 - "I and my Father are one."
• John 14:10 - "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
• John 8:28 - "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."
• Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
• John 12:49-50 - "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to examine include:

• "ἀμὴν ἀμὴν" (amen amen) translated as "Verily, verily," a Hebrew word of confirmation often used by Jesus for emphasis.
• "οὐδὲν" (ouden) meaning "nothing," underscoring the complete inability to act independently.
• "ἴδῃ" (idē) or "seeth," a word denoting seeing or perceiving, often with an understanding or comprehension beyond the mere physical act of seeing.
• "ποιεῖ" (poiei) which is often translated as "do" or "make," conveying action that is taken.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this passage with other ancient religious texts and myths, Jesus' unique relationship with God stands in contrast to polytheistic myths where gods often act independently and sometimes in conflict with one another.

The unity of action between Jesus and the Father sets apart the Judeo-Christian understanding of God from these mythologies, emphasizing a monotheistic framework where God is one yet revealed in distinct persons.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives might not directly relate to this verse since it addresses theological principles rather than empirical truths.

However, concepts such as the conformity of action and unity in nature that Jesus exemplifies can be metaphorically likened to principles in nature where entities act in harmonious systems, reflective, perhaps, in the interconnectedness observed in ecosystems or in the synchronized behavior of some species.

Commentaries

A diversity of commentaries reflects on John 5:19. Notably:

• Matthew Henry’s commentary emphasizes the perfect understanding and agreement between the Father and the Son, underscoring that the Son's actions are a mirror of the Father's will.
• The MacArthur Study Bible notes that Jesus' claims defied the Jewish leaders’ preconceived notions, explaining that Jesus' words were meant to reveal His divine nature and authority.
• The ESV Study Bible elaborates on the unity of God’s work through Jesus, pointing out that Jesus’ activities on earth are the very activities of God.
• The Pulpit Commentary outlines the Son’s unique ability to see the Father and thus act within the divine scope, as no human could claim such an intimate relationship or perfect alignment with God’s actions.

These varied perspectives all wrestle with the deep implications of Jesus’ words on His identity, mission, and reflection of the Father’s will.