John 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Therefore
G1223
διὰ
Therefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οὖν
G3767
ἐζήτουν
sought
G2212
ἐζήτουν
sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
5 of 27
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σάββατον
the sabbath
G4521
σάββατον
the sabbath
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
15 of 27
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατέρα
Father
G3962
πατέρα
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
18 of 27
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἴδιον
was his
G2398
ἴδιον
was his
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
19 of 27
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
ἔλεγεν
said
G3004
ἔλεγεν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
that God
G2316
θεῷ
that God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
22 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
24 of 27
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ποιῶν
making
G4160
ποιῶν
making
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
25 of 27
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Cross References
John 10:33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.John 10:30I and my Father are one.John 19:7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.John 5:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.John 14:23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.Philippians 2:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.John 8:54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Historical Context
Jews called God 'Father' collectively (Isaiah 64:8), but Jesus' usage implied unique, intimate sonship. The charge of 'making himself equal with God' is precisely what Jesus claimed. John 5:19-47 is Jesus' defense of this claim, not a retraction. The religious leaders understood correctly and rejected deliberately.
Questions for Reflection
- Why was Jesus' claim to unique Sonship with the Father considered blasphemy?
- How does this verse confirm Jesus' self-understanding as divine?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Jews' response confirms they understood Jesus' claim: 'Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.' Calling God 'Father' in the intimate sense Jesus used claimed unique relationship. They correctly understood—Jesus asserted equality with God. This wasn't misunderstanding; Jesus' claim was clear and they rejected it as blasphemy.