John 5:16-47
Jesus defends his healing on the Sabbath
This passage, which follows Jesus’ healing of the man at the pool in Bethesda, is Jesus’ response to criticisms from “the Jews” that he was breaking the Law. 1
1. Read 5:16-25. Jesus mounts his defense against the charge of Sabbath-breaking by talking about what God does on the Sabbath. What two tasks does Jesus list as being done by the Father or Son on the Sabbath in 19-25? Judging and giving life. When are these two tasks done? At birth and death. Why is this relevant to Jesus’ defense (see v. 17)? How was this argument received (see v. 18)? Poorly! How does the Son give life? (See 5:1-15 and 3:3.)
Read 26-30. Note that 26-30 parallels 19-25:
26 The power of life shared by the Father and the Son 21 27 The power of judgment shared by the Father and the Son 22 28 The reaction of surprise 20 28 An hour is coming (and is now here) 25 29 Those who have done right (have listened) shall live 25 30 The Son does nothing by himself; the Son sees or hears what he must do 19
Jesus temporarily switches In v. 27 from the Father/Son terminology to that of the Son of Man. This term would be known to his hearers both as a term used frequently in Ezekiel meaning “mortal,” as well as in Daniel, referring to a humanoid figure in Daniel’s vision who executes sovereignty and judgment over the world (Dan 7:13).
2. Jesus said the Son did what he saw the Father doing. How did Jesus see this? How do you?
3. Why does the Father give Jesus the task of judging men? Extra credit: Who has the task of judging angels? (See 1 Cor 6:3.)
4. Jesus says the Son seeks not his own will, but the Father’s. Does this imply a difference?
5. Read 31-40. The Law sets a precedent in capital cases requiring that a witness be corroborated (Deut 17:6, Num 35:30). What four witnesses does Jesus claim? 1. JtB; 2. his miracles; 3. the Father, perhaps at his baptism, or the transfiguration, perhaps, as in 1 Jn 5:9-10, in the hearts of believers; 4. the scriptures. Read 1 John 5:9-12. How was the Father a witness? How did Paul make use of the multiple-witness precedent? (See, e.g. 2 Cor 13:1, 1 Tim 5:19, Heb 10:28; see also Matt 18:16.)
6. Jesus counts this miracles as one of his witnesses. Does this mean that no one else could do such miraculous things?
7. Read 41-47. “The Jews” make Moses, i.e. the Law of Moses—the pentateuch—Jesus’ accuser, claiming that he has violated the Sabbath (v. 46). Where does Moses testify on Jesus’ behalf? How about the rest of scripture?
8. Bearing in mind that they were not by nature any more sinful or obstinate than we are, why did the Jewish leaders have trouble believing in Jesus? See Mat 23:23, Luke 18:9. In what ways does your desire for spiritual security keep you from being vulnerable to God?
1 Remember that John uses “the Jews” as “almost a technical title for the religious authorities, particularly those in Jerusalem, who are hostile to Jesus” [Raymond Brown, The Anchor Bible: The Gospel According to John (Doubleday: NY) 1966].
9. How do you keep the Sabbath holy? Are you following Jesus’ example? Given that you are a son of God, not the Son of God, should you? (See Is 58:13, Col 2:16, Mt 12:5-8.)