John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀπεκρίνατο
answered
G611
Ἀπεκρίνατο
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 37
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 37
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 37
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
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
8 of 37
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
9 of 37
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 37
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὐ
G3756
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
The Son
G5207
υἱὸς
The Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
15 of 37
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ποιεῖ
do
G4160
ποιεῖ
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
16 of 37
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἀφ'
of
G575
ἀφ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 37
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἑαυτοῦ
himself
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
18 of 37
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
οὐδὲν
nothing
G3762
οὐδὲν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
19 of 37
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
20 of 37
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μή
G3361
μή
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
21 of 37
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
the Father
G3962
πατέρα
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
25 of 37
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ποιεῖ
do
G4160
ποιεῖ
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
26 of 37
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἃ
G3739
ἃ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
27 of 37
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
28 of 37
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐκεῖνος
he
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
he
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
30 of 37
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ποιεῖ
do
G4160
ποιεῖ
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
31 of 37
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 12:49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.John 8:28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.John 14:10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.John 10:18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.John 9:4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.Psalms 138:3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.Psalms 50:6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
Historical Context
The double 'verily' (amen, amen) introduces solemn truth. Jesus' explanation reveals intra-Trinitarian relationships: the Son observes and replicates the Father's work. This answers the charge that He acts independently of God—quite the opposite, He acts in perfect union with Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' inability to act independently demonstrate unity rather than inferiority?
- What does this verse teach about the relationship between Father and Son in the Trinity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus explains His relationship to the Father: 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' This isn't inferiority but unity. The Son doesn't act independently because Father and Son always act in harmony. Jesus sees and imitates the Father's actions perfectly. This is not inability but intimate cooperation.