Devine Scripture

John 5:17

What does John 5:17 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:17 means

Jesus answers, “My Father worketh even until now, and I work.” He claims that God’s benevolent activity has not ceased; sustaining creation and showing mercy are ongoing. By calling God “My Father” and aligning His work with the Father’s, Jesus asserts a unique relationship and shared authority. He is not a violator of Sabbath but the Son who participates in the Father’s divine prerogatives. This is not mere defense of an act; it is a declaration of identity. The implication is daring: the rest of God is not inactivity but holy governance; therefore Jesus’ healing is true Sabbath work. His words invite the hearers to rethink Sabbath in light of the Son.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But his answer was: My Father is still working even now, and so I am working.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus answered them, `My Father till now doth work, and I work;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Jesus answered them: My Father worketh until now; and I work.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.

Context

Persecution for Sabbath activity (verse 16) elicits Jesus’ succinct defense: His work is the Father’s work. This claim becomes the catalyst for heightened hostility (verse 18) and opens the way for the extended teaching that follows (verses 19–30). The leaders’ accusation provokes revelation: Jesus explains the Son’s perfect dependence on the Father (verse 19), the Father’s love and greater works (verse 20), and the Son’s authority to give life and judge (verses 21–27). This verse forms the hinge moving from narrative conflict to doctrinal exposition, making clear that the issue is not merely law but the identity of the Son in relation to the Father.

v.16And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

v.17This passage

v.18For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 1:3

    who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

  • Colossians 1:16

    for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;

  • Genesis 2:1

    And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

  • John 14:10

    Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

  • Matthew 10:29

    Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

  • Acts 17:28

    for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

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