John 5:17-47 | What's happening (and who's involved)?
Directly following the last account we went through, Jesus responds to the angry Jewish leaders who are accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. What we ultimately see is a clashing on different understandings of the Sabbath, but it leads into an incredible discourse from Jesus where He highlights some very important things about Himself.
Concerning the equality, this is ultimately what the Jews of the time sought to accuse Jesus of blasphemy over. The issue with Jesus "disobeying" the Sabbath was one matter. Jesus' response was another one. Jesus had the authority to heal and to instruct the man to take up his mat. Jesus makes the allusion very clear in highlighting Himself as the Son of God, and He does this is a way that makes Him distinct from the children of Israel. He is not simply a Son because He belongs to these people that the Lord has taken under His wing. He is the Son of God. This gives Him right and authority over all that is in the Father's hands. The consequences of this means that if they really believe in the Father, then they will believe Him. Then if they reject Him, they reject the Father.
To further His case, He highlights various witnesses that testify of what He says. It is important that we understand what qualifies as a witness. "15 One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." (Deut. 19:15) These witnesses are not just people. It can be physical evidence as well. Take a murder trial as an example. The murder weapon being in possession of a particular individual serves as a witness against them. A person who saw the event unfold would be a witness against him. A boot print that matches the exact pattern of his boot would also serve as a witness. So even though there was only one person who could testify, there were three witnesses that rise against him.
Jesus brings up four witnesses that testify of who He is.
To continue to reject Jesus upon what He says is then to reject all of the above. Jesus' claim is exactly that. They are rejecting Him and these witnesses.
What observations are you making about this passage?
- Equality with God in Nature, Power, and Authority
- The Witnesses of this fact
Concerning the equality, this is ultimately what the Jews of the time sought to accuse Jesus of blasphemy over. The issue with Jesus "disobeying" the Sabbath was one matter. Jesus' response was another one. Jesus had the authority to heal and to instruct the man to take up his mat. Jesus makes the allusion very clear in highlighting Himself as the Son of God, and He does this is a way that makes Him distinct from the children of Israel. He is not simply a Son because He belongs to these people that the Lord has taken under His wing. He is the Son of God. This gives Him right and authority over all that is in the Father's hands. The consequences of this means that if they really believe in the Father, then they will believe Him. Then if they reject Him, they reject the Father.
To further His case, He highlights various witnesses that testify of what He says. It is important that we understand what qualifies as a witness. "15 One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." (Deut. 19:15) These witnesses are not just people. It can be physical evidence as well. Take a murder trial as an example. The murder weapon being in possession of a particular individual serves as a witness against them. A person who saw the event unfold would be a witness against him. A boot print that matches the exact pattern of his boot would also serve as a witness. So even though there was only one person who could testify, there were three witnesses that rise against him.
Jesus brings up four witnesses that testify of who He is.
- John the Baptist (v. 31-35)
- Jesus' own works (v. 36)
- The Father (v. 37-38)
- The Scriptures (v. 39-47)
To continue to reject Jesus upon what He says is then to reject all of the above. Jesus' claim is exactly that. They are rejecting Him and these witnesses.
What observations are you making about this passage?
Posted in John
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Proverbs 27:5Proverbs 27:6Proverbs 27:7Proverbs 27:8Proverbs 27:9Proverbs 27:10Proverbs 27:11Proverbs 27:12Proverbs 27:13Proverbs 27:14Proverbs 27:15-16Proverbs 27:17Proverbs 27:18Proverbs 27:19Proverbs 27:20Proverbs 27:21Proverbs 27:22Proverbs 27:23Proverbs 27:24Proverbs 27:25-27Proverbs 28:1Proverbs 28:2Proverbs 28:3Proverbs 28:4Proverbs 28:5Proverbs 28:6Proverbs 28:7-8Proverbs 28:9Proverbs 28:10Proverbs 28:11Proverbs 28:12
February
Proverbs 28:13Proverbs 28:14Proverbs 28:15Proverbs 28:16Proverbs 28:17Proverbs 28:18Proverbs 28:19Proverbs 28:20Proverbs 28:21Proverbs 28:22Proverbs 28:23Proverbs 28:24Proverbs 28:25Proverbs 28:26Proverbs 28:27Proverbs 28:28Proverbs 29:1Proverbs 29:2Proverbs 29:3Proverbs 29:4Proverbs 29:5Proverbs 29:6Proverbs 29:7Proverbs 29:8Proverbs 29:9Proverbs 29:10Proverbs 29:11Proverbs 29:12
March
Proverbs 29:13Proverbs 29:14Proverbs 29:15Proverbs 29:16Proverbs 29:17Proverbs 29:18Proverbs 29:19Proverbs 29:20Proverbs 29:21Proverbs 29:22Proverbs 29:23Proverbs 29:24Proverbs 29:25Proverbs 29:26Proverbs 29:27Proverbs 30:1-3Proverbs 30:4Proverbs 30:5Proverbs 30:6Proverbs 30:7-9Proverbs 30:10Proverbs 30:11Proverbs 30:12Proverbs 30:13Proverbs 30:14Proverbs 30:15aProverbs 30:15b-16Proverbs 30:17Proverbs 30:18-19Proverbs 30:20Proverbs 30:21-23
No Comments