John 5:20

John 5:20, in plain English

The Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He does. And Jesus says the best is yet to come: even greater works that will astonish everyone.

Why it's here

The healing at the pool was remarkable, but Jesus is saying it is just the tip of the iceberg. The works ahead, raising the dead and judging all people, will be even more staggering.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks about the love between Himself and the Father and promises that the most amazing works are still ahead.

Where it sits in the story

If healing a man after thirty-eight years of paralysis amazed them, they are not ready for what comes next. Jesus is just getting started.

The scholarly reading

The Father's love (philei) for the Son is the basis for showing Him 'all He does' (panta deiknusin). The promise of 'greater works' (meizona... erga) points forward to the resurrection and judgment authority Jesus will soon describe.

Language and setting

The verb deiknusin ('shows') is present tense, indicating an ongoing revelation from Father to Son. The 'greater works' likely refer to raising the dead (v.21) and executing judgment (v.22), which transcend physical healing.

Voice

Jesus reveals that the Father's love is the source of His revelatory knowledge, and promises even more astonishing demonstrations of divine power.

Significance

The foundation of everything Jesus does is the Father's love. And Jesus promises that what His opponents have seen so far is just the beginning. Greater works are coming, works that will leave them amazed.

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.

21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.

22Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,

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.