John 5

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

What does John 5:26 mean?

Explanation

John 5:26 highlights the divine relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. It underscores the unique quality of having life inherent within oneself – a characteristic that Christian theology attributes only to the divine.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking about the authority and life that the Father has given Him. Literally, this means that just as the Father possesses life in and of Himself and is not dependent on any external source for life, so too the Son has been granted the capacity to have life in Himself.

This implies a divine bestowal of authority and ability upon Jesus, indicating that He has the divine attribute of being self-existent and a source of life, similar to God the Father.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

At the time John's Gospel was written, the early Christian community was grappling with the identity of Jesus and His relationship to God the Father.

This passage is part of a broader discourse in John 5 where Jesus speaks about His authority and unity with the Father following a controversy over His healing of a man on the Sabbath day.

The concept of Jesus possessing life in Himself may have been a way of asserting His divinity against various religious views of the time, including Jewish monotheism, which maintained a strict understanding of God as one and not incarnate.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian Christian perspective, this verse is often cited in discussions about the divinity of Christ and His consubstantiality (of the same substance) with the Father.

It serves as an affirmation of the Son's divine nature, equating the life present in Jesus with the life found in God the Father.

On the other hand, some non-Trinitarian groups may interpret this verse as pointing to a hierarchical relationship, where the Son derives His life from the Father by the Father's will rather than by nature.

Furthermore, this verse can be viewed in light of discussions on the economic and immanent Trinity, corresponding to the relational roles and the internal life of the Triune God, respectively.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 5:26 might inspire believers to reflect on the source of their own spiritual life and vitality in Jesus.

Since Jesus is said to have life in Himself, Christians might find encouragement in the belief that through their relationship with Jesus, they too have access to a divine source of life.

It suggests a calling to seek a deeper communion with Jesus to experience the fullness of life that He embodies and imparts.

Cross-References

John 1:4 – "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
John 10:28 – "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
John 14:6 – "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Colossians 2:9 – "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
1 John 5:11 – "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

Language Study

The key phrases within John 5:26 in the original Greek are:

"life in himself" (zōēn en heautō) – The word "zōēn" is the Greek noun for life, particularly life that is true and full, often associated with divine or eternal life.

"En heautō" indicates possession or containment within oneself.

"hath given" (dedōken) – A form of the verb "to give," which in this context implies a deliberate and authoritative act of bestowing something.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse to other ancient religious texts, one could look at parallels of deities sharing or granting divine attributes. In Egyptian mythology, for example, certain gods were believed to possess the secret of eternal life.

However, the Judeo-Christian context is unique in presenting a monotheistic framework where such a sharing of divine life takes place within the unity of one God manifested in multiple persons.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the idea of "life in oneself" as described in this verse is a metaphysical claim that does not align with biological understandings of life, which is characterized by processes like metabolism, reproduction, and evolution.

However, discussions around the origin of life and consciousness occasionally bring scientists and theologians into dialogue about what constitutes life at its most fundamental level and whether there is a non-material aspect to it.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 5:26 offer various insights:

Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that this verse highlights the divine honor and authority of the Son, demonstrating His equality with the Father.
The Expositor's Greek Testament posits that this passage emphasizes the self-existence of the Son, which is not derivative but a testament to His being of the same essence as the Father.
William Barclay notes the distinct relationship between the Father and the Son, suggesting that although the Son has life in Himself, it is a gift from the Father, reflecting divine love and generosity.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament interprets the verse as an indication of Jesus' authority to grant life and enact judgment, reflecting His role in salvation history.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 5:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?