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.

• 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?