John 5:18

John 5:18, in plain English

This made the leaders even more determined to kill Him. He was not only breaking the Sabbath in their eyes, but calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Why it's here

They understood what Jesus was saying. This was not a casual reference to God as Father. It was a claim to be God's unique Son, sharing His very nature.

Who's speaking

The Gospel writer explains that the authorities correctly understood the magnitude of Jesus' claim and responded with murderous intent.

Where it sits in the story

The stakes are now life and death. Jesus has made the ultimate claim: He is not just a prophet speaking for God. He is the Son who shares the Father's nature and authority. The authorities know exactly what He means, and they want Him dead for it.

The scholarly reading

The authorities correctly perceive Jesus' double claim: breaking the Sabbath and calling God His 'own Father' (patera idion), thereby 'making Himself equal with God' (ison heautou poiōn tō theō). This becomes the theological basis for their desire to kill Him.

Language and setting

The phrase patera idion ('His own Father') implies a unique filial relationship beyond the general sense in which all Israelites called God 'Father.' The authorities understand this as a claim to ontological equality with God.

Voice

The narrator explains the authorities' interpretation of Jesus' words and their escalated response: they now seek to kill Him.

Significance

The authorities understand the implications of Jesus' words more clearly than many modern readers. Calling God 'My own Father' in this context was a claim to share God's nature. Their response, the desire to kill Him, shows they understood exactly what Jesus was saying.

16Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him.

17But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

18Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

19So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

20The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.

Read all of John 5 — A man who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years is told to pick up his mat and walk. The Pharisees are more concerned about the day of the week.