John 5:17 Themes and Topics

But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I.

Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

then said they to him, what art thou? and Jesus answered them, I am what I just now told you. I have many things to say against you: but I only say He that sent me is worthy of belief; and what I have heard of Him, that only I publish to the world. but they did not perceive that he meant the father. read more.
Jesus said therefore to them, when ye have lift up the son of man, then shall ye know what I am, and that I do nothing of my self, but speak as my father hath instructed me. he that sent me, is with me: the father hath not left me alone, for I always do what is agreeable to him.

But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God. upon which Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself, except he sees the father do it: for whatever he doth, that the son does likewise. read more.
for the father loveth the son, and sheweth him all that he himself doth: and he will shew him greater works than these, so that you will be surprized.

Jesus answer'd, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. but I have already told you, that tho' you have seen me, you do not believe. all those whom my father gives me, shall come to me; and I will not reject any that come to me. read more.
for I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

it was not for any sin of his, said Jesus, or of his parents: but that the works of God might be displayed thro' him. I must perform the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night is coming, when no man can work.

Jesus answered him, he that loves me, will observe my precepts: and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. he does not love me, who does not observe my precepts: for the doctrine which you have heard, is not mine, but the father's who sent me. this is what I have to tell you, for the little time that I am with you. read more.
but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you. I bid you farewell! I give you my last farewell; but I do not give it out of common formality: don't be concern'd for me, or apprehensive for your selves. ye have heard me say, "I am going away, and shall come again unto you." if ye loved me, ye would rejoice at my going to the father: for the father is greater than I. this I have told you now, before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe. my conversation will now be but short with you, for the prince of the world is coming: not that he has any thing against me, but that the world may know that I love the father, by my executing the commands which my father gave me: arise, let us go hence.

Jesus having said this, lift up his eyes to heaven, and said, "father, the hour is come; glorify thy son, that thy son also may glorify thee. for thou hast given him power over all men, that he might give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. and this is life eternal, to acknowledge thee to be the only true God, and Jesus to be the Messiah whom thou hast sent. read more.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

And indeed it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats, should take away the guilt of sin. wherefore at his appearing in publick, he saith, "sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: read more.
then said I, lo I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God." after having said, "victims, oblations, holocausts, and sacrifice for sin, thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein," tho' they are all prescrib'd by the law; he immediately adds, "lo, I come to do thy WILL, O God." he abolishes the first to establish the second: in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.

at the relation of which they unanimously lift up their voice to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God who hast made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is therein: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, "why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ." read more.
for it was truly against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, that Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, united themselves in this city,

Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and demanded letters for the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any of this sect, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him, read more.
and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? and he said, who art thou, Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Then trembling with the fright Saul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and the Lord said to him,]

I am the genuine vine, and my father is the vintager. every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he takes away: as for the branch that bears fruit, he prunes it clean, to make it more fruitful. you are already clean by the instructions I have given you. read more.
be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me. I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing. if a man abide not in me, he is cast away as withered branches that are gather'd up to be thrown into the fire, where they are burned. if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and you shall obtain it. my father will be honour'd by your bearing much fruit, and you will have the honour of being my disciples. as the father has loved me, and I have loved you: so do you persevere in your love to me. your love to me will be in keeping my commandments: even as I love my father by keeping his commandments. These things have I spoken to you, that you might have some present comfort, and that hereafter your joy might be compleat. this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. there cannot be greater love than that of a man, who lays down his life for his friends. you will be my friends, if you do what I have commanded you. henceforth I do not treat you as servants; for the servant is unacquainted with his master's affairs: but I have treated you as friends; for what I have learnt of my father, I have communicated to you. it was not you that chose me, but I that chose you, and establish'd you, that your travels may be fruitful, and your fruit be lasting: so that whatever ye shall ask of the father for my sake, he will give it you. Above all I enjoin you, to love one another. if the world hate you, consider that it hated me before it hated you. if you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world does hate you. remember what I told you, "the servant is not greater than his master." if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have been spies upon my discourse, they will be so upon yours. but all these things will they do unto you, out of hatred to my name, because they know not him that sent me. if I had not appear'd, and inform'd them, they would have been innocent: but now they have no excuse for their sin. he that hateth me, hateth my father also. if I had not done among them such works as no other ever did, they had been innocent: but though they have seen them, yet they hate both me and my father. so that the passage is fulfilled that is written in their law, "they hated me without a cause."

then the man departed to acquaint the Jews, that it was Jesus who had cured him. upon which occasion the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he did such things on the sabbath-day. But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. read more.
therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God.

as I was upon the road, advanc'd near Damascus, about mid-day, all of a sudden a great light from heaven broke all around me. I fell to the ground, and heard a voice pronounce these words, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" I answered, who art thou, Lord? it answered, "I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou dost persecute."

But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God. upon which Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself, except he sees the father do it: for whatever he doth, that the son does likewise.

it is I that give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any one force them out of my hand. my father who gave them me, is greater than all: so that no one is able to force them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one.

But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God. upon which Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself, except he sees the father do it: for whatever he doth, that the son does likewise.

it is I that give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any one force them out of my hand. my father who gave them me, is greater than all: so that no one is able to force them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one.

where they brought a man with a withered hand: and asked him this insnaring question, is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day? and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out? is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day? read more.
then saith he to the man, stretch out thy hand: and be stretched it out; and it was made as sound as the other.

As he was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath-day, a woman was present, who had been kept infirm by a spirit eighteen years: and stooped in such a manner, she was not able to hold up her head strait. Jesus seeing her, called her to him, and said, woman you are freed from your disorder. read more.
then he laid his hands upon her: and instantly she stood upright, and glorified God. but the ruler of the synagogue being highly incensed at Jesus's healing on the sabbath-day, said to the people, there are six days for work, you should come therefore for cure on those days, and not on the sabbath. to which Jesus replied, thou hypocrite, who is there among you that scruples to untie his ox or his ass, and lead him from the stall to water on the sabbath-day? and must not this daughter of Abraham, whom satan has held bound these eighteen years, be disengag'd from this bond, on a sabbath-day? at which all his adversaries were confounded. but the people were highly pleased, at the glorious actions which he perform'd.

then the man departed to acquaint the Jews, that it was Jesus who had cured him. upon which occasion the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he did such things on the sabbath-day. But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. read more.
therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God.

now there happen'd to be a man just by him, who had a dropsy. Jesus therefore addressing himself to the doctors of the law, and to the Pharisees, said, is it allowable to perform a cure on the sabbath-day? to which they made no answer. but he laid his hand upon the man, cured him, and dismissed him. read more.
Then continuing his discourse, which of you, said he, if his child or his ox fell into a pit, would not immediately draw him out, though it were on the sabbath-day?

Jesus answered them, I perform'd one single miracle on the sabbath, and does that alarm you? Moses enjoin'd you circumcision (or rather not Moses, but the patriarchs) accordingly you circumcise a man on the sabbath-day. if to avoid the violation of the Mosaic law, a man be exposed to circumcision on the sabbath-day, are ye angry at me, because I cured a man, whose whole body was indisposed on the sabbath-day? read more.
judge not according to appearances, but judge according to equity.

Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I was continually teaching in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort, and in secret have I said nothing.

Verse Concepts

Then they entred again into Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the Scribes, and rulers of the Jews came about him, and asked him, by what authority do you behave thus? and who gave you that authority? Jesus replied to them, if you will answer one question, that I shall propose to you, then I will tell you by what authority I act thus. read more.
the baptism of John, was it of divine, or of human institution? answer me that. upon this they reasoned thus with themselves; if we should say, it was divine, he will urge, why then did you not believe him? if we should say, it was a human institution, we run a risk from the people. (for they all believed John was a true prophet.) they therefore gave Jesus this answer, we cannot tell. neither do I, said Jesus, acquaint you by what authority I act thus.

As Jesus was teaching in the temple, he address'd himself to them, saying, why do the Scribes maintain that Christ is the son of David? for David himself, who was inspired by the holy spirit, has this expression, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand till I make thy enemies thy foot-stool." now since David himself calls him Lord, how can he be David's son? and the common people heard him with pleasure. read more.
in the sequel of the discourse, he said to them, beware of the Scribes, who affect to walk about in their long robes, to be saluted in publick places, and to have the first seats in their synagogues, and at their feasts: who yet devour widows estates under the shew of making long prayers, such shall receive greater condemnation. At length, as Jesus was sitting over-against the treasury, he observed the peoples throwing money into the chest; when many of the rich gave large sums. and there came a certain poor widow, who threw in two mites, to the value of a farthing. upon which he call'd to his disciples, and said to them, I declare unto you, that this poor widow has given more than any of those, who have given to the treasury. for all the rest contributed out of their superfluous substance; but she has contributed what she wanted for her bare subsistence.

I was daily among you, teaching in the temple, and you did not then seize upon me. but the scriptures are thereby accomplished.

Verse Concepts

sometime after Jesus met him in the temple, and said to him, you see you were cured: sin no more, lest you suffer something worse. then the man departed to acquaint the Jews, that it was Jesus who had cured him. upon which occasion the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he did such things on the sabbath-day. read more.
But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I.

but about the middle of the feast, Jesus went publickly into the temple, and taught. at which the Jews were surprized, saying, how came be acquainted with the scriptures, a man of no education? Jesus answered them, the doctrine I deliver is not my own, but his that sent me. read more.
if any man is inclin'd to do his will, he shall know whether the doctrine be from God, or whether I speak from my self. he that speaks from himself, has a view to his own glory: but he that has a view to his glory that sent him, deserves credit, and is a stranger to all imposture. was it not Moses who gave you the law, and yet none of you observe that law? for what do ye attempt to kill me? the people answered, saying, you are mad: who attempts to kill you? Jesus answered them, I perform'd one single miracle on the sabbath, and does that alarm you? Moses enjoin'd you circumcision (or rather not Moses, but the patriarchs) accordingly you circumcise a man on the sabbath-day. if to avoid the violation of the Mosaic law, a man be exposed to circumcision on the sabbath-day, are ye angry at me, because I cured a man, whose whole body was indisposed on the sabbath-day? judge not according to appearances, but judge according to equity. Then some that belong'd to Jerusalem, said, is not this he whom they seek to kill? yet there he is talking publickly without any opposition: are not the rulers convinc'd that he is the Messiah? however, we know from what quarter this man comes: but when Christ comes it will be unknown whence he came. Jesus then pursuing his discourse in the temple, rais'd his voice, and said, you know both who I am, and whence I am: however, I am not come of my self, but he that sent me is worthy of belief, him you are unacquainted with.

as Jesus therefore was walking in the temple in Solomon's portico, the Jews came about him, and said, how long will you keep us in suspense? if you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye did not believe me: the works that I do in my father's name, they testify of me. read more.
but, as I said before, you do not believe; because ye are not of my sheep. my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. it is I that give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any one force them out of my hand. my father who gave them me, is greater than all: so that no one is able to force them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one. then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, many good works have I shewed you from my father; for which of those works would you stone me? the Jews answered him, saying, it is not for any good work that we stone thee; but for blasphemy, inasmuch as you, being a man, pretend to be a God. Jesus answered them, is it not written in your law, "I said ye are Gods?" if the law stiles them Gods, who received the orders of God, and if the scripture is of any authortiy, how can you say that I blaspheme, I whom the father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, because I said I am the son of God? if I do not the works of my father, believe me not. but if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that the father is in me, and I in him.