PER071

Jesus the Messiah affirms his equality with the Father

The article analyses Jesus' proclamation of his equality with God, drawing on the healing of a disabled man and highlighting the impact of his theological assertions in Jerusalem during Passover.

3 min Jesus Messiah Equality Passover festival Jerusalem 2 verses 1 book

Resources

Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew (King James Version) not cited in the book
Mark
Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book
Luke
Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book
John
John 5.17-30 (King James Version)

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.

Technical details

Bar chart for the year 31

Location: The city of Jerusalem in Judea

Date: The of March 29, AD 31

Method: We continue with John

Note on the approach: John alone records this festival

The healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda

The assertions of Jesus the Messiah, claiming equality with the Father, that is, , can only arouse his detractors' hostility.

Jesus the Messiah affirms his equality with the Father

Jesus the Messiah affirms his equality with the Father

Comments

We continue our analysis of John's account, and it becomes clear that this is more than simply a description of another miracle. Indeed, the healing of this man, disabled for 38 years, is relegated to the background to make room for a demonstration that is crucial in the author's mind. Jesus the Messiah will meet this man again some time later (John 5.14), probably in the Temple court.

We thus reach the conclusion of John's demonstration: Jesus the Messiah places himself on an equal footing with God, proclaiming himself the Son of God. For a Jew, God cannot have a son, so this father-son relationship is perceived as blasphemy.

John's reasoning gradually unfolds. Jesus the Messiah could not perform all these miracles if he were not also God. John directly quotes the Teacher's words, which establish a direct connection between God the Father and himself, God the Son.

In conclusion, Jesus the Messiah affirms that the power he displays comes directly from God, who sent him into the world. After such a declaration, the religious leaders, along with all those listening, must decide where they stand: are they with the Son of God or against him? But since the Son is also God, this amounts to asking: are they with God or against God?