John 5:18
What does John 5:18 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:18 means
The Jews seek even more to kill Jesus, understanding His claim. They charge Him not only with breaking the Sabbath but with calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. John clarifies that the leaders rightly perceive the weight of Jesus’ words. Jesus is not merely a teacher; He claims divine status. Their murderous intent reveals the depth of their rejection. Ironically, their rage confirms the truth they resist: only if Jesus shares the Father’s nature can He speak as He does and do what He does. The verse frames the rest of the discourse: Jesus will explain equality that is not rivalry but perfect unity of will and work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause the Jews had an even greater desire to put Jesus to death, because not only did he not keep the Sabbath but he said God was his Father, so making himself equal with God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because of this, then, were the Jews seeking the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the sabbath, but he also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hereupon therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he did not only break the sabbath but also said God was his Father, making himself equal to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For this therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but also said thatGod was his own Father, making himself equal withGod.
Context
Jesus’ statement about working as His Father works (verse 17) escalates the conflict to its peak: the leaders now seek to kill Him for making Himself equal with God. This stark reaction sets the stage for Jesus’ detailed explanation (verses 19–30) of the Son’s relationship to the Father—dependence, love, shared works, life-giving, and judgment. It also prepares for His appeal to multiple witnesses (verses 31–47). The verse clarifies that the controversy is fundamentally about Christ’s divine identity, not merely Sabbath regulations. Thus, everything that follows must be read as Jesus unpacking what it means that He calls God His own Father.
v.17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.
v.18This passage
v.19Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:54
Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;
- Matthew 12:5
Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?
- John 5:23
that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
- John 5:16
And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.
- John 7:19
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me?
- Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
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