John 5:19-23

THE DEITY STATED

Text 5:19-23

19

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things so ever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.

20

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

21

For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.

22

For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

23

that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.

Queries

a.

What are the greater works of John 5:20?

b.

To whom does the Son give life?

c.

What is the significance of honoring the Son?

Paraphrase

So Jesus answered the Jews, saying, I tell you truly, The Son is not able to do anything of His Own accord, but He does only those things which He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father is doing, these things also the Son is doing in like manner. The Father loves the Son and discloses to the Son everything which He Himself is doing; and the Father will disclose greater works than these which you have just seen. He will disclose these greater works to the Son in order that you may be caused to wonder. Just as the Father raises the dead and makes them live, so also the Son gives life to whomever He wills. Furthermore, the Father judges no one; but He has given all the prerogatives of judgment unto the Son in order that all men may honor and worship the Son just as they honor and worship the Father. The man who does not honor and worship the Son does not honor and worship the Father Who sent the Son.

Summary

Jesus claims equality with the Father, and bases His claim upon His power to give life and His authority to judge.

Comment

Jesus-' answer to the Jews-' accusation that He makes Himself equal to God is Yes, absolutely yes. His answer is a tremendously daring claim that He does exactly what God does. He said much the same in John 5:30; John 7:28; John 8:28; John 14:10, and already implied it in John 5:17. Unless He sees the Father doing something, He does not do it. Although He is on earth, Jesus is aware constantly of what the Father wishes to have done, and He fulfills only what is the Father's will (cf. Matthew 11:27; John 8:29). Whatever Jesus does emanates from the Father. When, therefore, the Jews attacked Him for breaking their Sabbath traditions, they were in reality declaring war on God. Notice here that the Son sees all that the Father does; in the next verse (John 5:20), the Father shows the Son all that He is doing. There is absolute harmony and oneness.

John 5:20 shows the active part of the Father in this relationship. The Father is not passiveHe does not merely allow Jesus to discover what He can of the Father's will, but the Father discloses His will to the Son. Jesus then tells His enemies of the greater works the Father will show them. If the Jews are astonished at the healing of a helpless invalid, they will be caused to wonder even more at the greater works to come. What are these greater works? Some think (a) Jesus refers only to the general resurrection and judgment; (b) others, that He speaks of specific resurrections, e.g., Lazarus, the widow's son, etc., plus the final resurrection of all and the judgment; (c) still others, that He refers to the raising of the spiritually dead, the raising of the bodily dead, and the judgment. The last interpretation seems to be more compatible with the entire context. It is interesting to note the promise of Jesus to the disciples (John 14:12) that they shall do even greater works than Christ in His earthly ministry. Did not their tremendously fruitful labors in giving life to dead souls overshadow the Lord's restoring life to mortal bodies? How can making dead souls live be greater than restoring life to mortal bodies? When Christ seeks to give life to the spiritually dead, they are able to exercise their wills and reject life. But in the final bodily resurrection, all will be fitted with bodies in which to spend eternity whether they desire them or notthe saved unto eternal bliss, the disobedient to eternal condemnation.

The emphasis of John 5:21 is on ascribing to Jesus equal power with God to make alive (as the source of life). The Israelites ascribed to Jehovah's being the source of life, especially having the power to raise the dead (cf. Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6).Jesus is simply claiming again to be equal with Jehovah God. The emphasis of this verse is not on any particular resurrection of the dead, but upon the astounding claims of Jesus. Not only has Jesus the power to give life, but He also exercises the prerogative of arbitrary choice. He will give life to whomsoever He desires. In the light of the entire New Testament revelation we know that Jesus desires to give spiritual life to all who trust and obey Him. It is not the Lord's will that stands in the way of any man's eternal destiny, but man's own stubborn will (cf. John 5:40).

The Father has also relegated to the Son all the prerogatives of judgment (cf. John 3:17; Matthew 25:31-46). If the Son has authority to establish the church, to legislate its terms of entrance and its sustaining ordinances, He necessarily judges all who refuse His church. All who are not receiving life through His kingdom are necessarily condemned by their refusal (cf. John 3:18).

John 5:23 seems to be the climax to this particular context. First, there is the statement that the Father and Son are equal in Person; second, the claim substantiated by equality of works; now, the resultequality of honor, To honor is to do homage to, to reverence, to worship. Jesus is God! This was pointedly directed toward the unbelieving Jews, but every professing Christian ought to etch these words upon his heart! Any person professing to follow the One True God must also reckon with this very plain demand. This must be the test of every religious profession and practice, whether by individuals or organizations. Any that do not honor Jesus Christ as Lord are dishonoring God, and are condemned by this verse. Those who do not worship Jesus Christ do not worship God at all. Jesus Christ is ALL or nothing! He cannot be followed as a mere human teacher, nor esteemed even as a prophet commissioned by God. He must be exalted and worshipped as Creator, Redeemer and Judge.

Quiz

1.

How does Jesus claim deity here?

2.

Give three interpretations of greater works (John 5:20).

3.

How is making dead souls live greater than restoring life to physical bodies?

4.

Name two prerogatives which the Father has given to the Son.

5.

Does any person honor God if he does not worship Jesus?

6.

Can a Christian conscientiously belong to any organization which refuses to honor Jesus Christ as Lord?

7.

Explain your answers to questions 5 and 6.