Lesson 6: The Father’s Testimony

Opening Questions:

1. What do we learn about Jesus’ power/authority in this chapter?
2. What do you find compelling about the Father’s testimony (vss. 30-47)?
3. What questions do you have about the text?

John 1.10-11 spoke of how the world did not know Jesus, even His own did not received Him. Thus far in our study of John we haven’t seen much rejection of Jesus, aside from the Jews questioning Jesus about His actions in the Temple (see John 2.18-20). This changes with John 5-7. We now begin to see why the Jews rejected Jesus and even why many of His own followers forsook Him. Chapter 5 focuses on why the Jews began seeking a reason to kill Jesus (vss. 16,18), but as Jesus encountered their opposition He was given opportunity to expound on the greatest evidence for His claims: the testimony of His Father.

The Healing (vss. 1-9)

Many get hung up over the details of this story, but the most important detail (aside from the awesome power of Jesus) is that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath (vs. 9). It is possible that this was not Jesus’ first Sabbath controversy (vs. 16, see also Mark 2.23-3.6). The setting was “a feast of the Jews”, possibly referring to the Passover, and Jesus had come to the pool of Bethesda (or Bethsaida. Literally means “house of mercy”) where there were many who were “blind, lame and paralyzed” (vs. 3). One man in particular drew Jesus’ attention. This man had been lame for thirty-eight years, so Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” The man’s response in vs. 7 likely reflects a legend that had developed around the pool over time. Jesus healing the man showed that true life and the grace of God aren’t found in legends, but in Jesus!

The Jews Respond To Jesus Healing On The Sabbath (vss. 10-16)

The lame man had not violated any prohibition in the OT, only those of the rabbis. “The assumption in the Scripture seems to be that ‘work’ refers to one’s customary employment; but judging by Mishnah (Shabbath 7:2; 10:5), dominant rabbinic opinion had analyzed the prohibition into thirty-nine classes of work, including taking or carrying anything from one domain to another (except for cases of compassion, such as carrying a paralytic)” (Carson). This account provides a clear picture of how blind the Jews were. A true “sign” had been performed by Jesus. This should have been an occasion to glorify God and come closer to His Chosen One. But, they were blinded by their tradition and thus hardened against Jesus.

Jesus’ exhortation to the healed man in vs. 14 is significant. There are certainly things worse than physical sickness, even ailments as horrible as being an invalid for 38 years. Tragically, by rejecting Jesus the Jews were insuring that something worse would happen to them (see John 12.48).

The Jews Respond To Jesus’ Claim That God Is His Father (vss. 17-18)

Jesus’ answer in vs. 17 was both clever and bold. It was clever, because the Jews had debated the matter and concluded that God did in fact work on the Sabbath. “The consensus amongst the rabbis, too, was that God works on the Sabbath, for otherwise providence itself would weekly go into abeyance. About the end of the first century, four eminent rabbis (Rabban Gamaliel II, R. Joshua, R. Eleazar b. Azariah, and R. Akiba) discussed the point, and concluded that although God works constantly, he cannot rightly be charged with violating the Sabbath law, since (1) the entire universe is his domain (Is. 6:3), and therefore he never carries anything outside it; (2) otherwise put, God fills the whole world (Je. 23:24); and in any case (3) God lifts nothing to a height greater than his own stature (Exodus Rabbah 30:9; cf. Genesis Rabbah 11:10). Whether he breaks the Sabbath or not, God works continuously: all were agreed on that point. Assuming it, Jesus applies it to himself” (Carson).

Jesus’ answer was bold because His claim that Jehovah was His Father was a claim to equality with the Father (see John 10.30-33). The Jews certainly understood Jesus’ claim, and sought to kill Him for it. Jesus thus made the assertion found in John 1.1, and the Jews rejected it… despite evidence to the contrary!

Jesus Asserts His Unity With The Father (vss. 19-30)

This passage may offer the best explanation of John 1.1 we will find. How is it that Jesus is both with God and is God? In this passage Jesus emphasized the absolute unity that exists between Him and the Father, all the while recognizing the distinction of “persons”. While the Jews were seeking to kill Jesus based on His statement in vs. 17, Jesus offered a fuller explanation:

• The ONLY reason Jesus could do His work (even those works on the Sabbath) was because He does what the Father does (vs. 19).
• He can do the work of the Father because the Father loves the Son (vs. 20).
• The Father would show the Son greater works, including:
  • Raising the dead to life (vs 21)
  • Committing judgment into the hands of the Son (vss. 22-23; cf. Acts 17.30-31; 2Corinthians 5.10).
  • Since the Father would show the Son these greater works, both a spiritual resurrection (vss. 24-27; cf. Ephesians 2.1-5) and a physical resurrection would take place (vss. 28-29; cf. Revelation 20.11-15).
• Vs. 30 sums up all that Jesus has said. He works because it is the will of the Father. If it were not the Father’s will, He could not do it… He would not do it!

Of particular importance in this section are Jesus’ words in vs. 23: “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” The Jews’ rejection of Jesus was a rejection of the Father, and thus they would be subject to judgment because God had given that to the Son (vs. 27).

The Testimony Of The Father (vss. 31-47)

How could Jesus substantiate the claims He made? Likely in reference to the Law, Jesus stated that His testimony alone was not sufficient (vs. 31; cf. Numbers 35.30; Deut. 19.15). The Father was also testifying on Jesus’ behalf (vs. 32)! Jesus provided several ways in which the Father bore testimony for His Son:

• The ministry of John (vss. 33-35). While Jesus said His testimony was not from man, John’s testimony was still powerful for he was sent by God (1.6-8).
• The works of the Father (vs. 36). The works Jesus had already done, like healing the lame man (vss. 1-9) and the greater works Jesus would do (vs. 20), all testify that the Father was with Him.
• Through the Scriptures (vss. 37-47). Jesus dwelt on this area of testimony because the Jews believed a knowledge of the Scriptures would give them eternal life (vs. 39). However, while the Jews might have searched the Scriptures, they did not allow God’s word to abide in them (vss. 37-38). If they had, they would have believed in Jesus because the Scriptures spoke about Him (vss. 45-47; cf. Genesis 12.3; 22.18; 49.10; Numbers 24.17; Deuteronomy 18.15-18; etc.).

Jesus had come in His Father’s name and if they were to receive glory from the Father, they must believe in Him (vss. 43-44).