John 5:19 NLT

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:19-20

The Father and the Son. Most of our Lord's discourses concern man and his spiritual life, are moral and practical. But this passage is, in the true and proper sense of the term, theological, informing us of the relations between the persons of the Godhead, and revealing, so to speak, the inner springs of our Saviour's ministry, by giving us a glimpse into the Divine nature and purposes. I. THE FATHER IS EVER CARRYING ON BENEFICENT OPERATIONS IN HUMAN SOCIETY .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:19-29

(b) Christ vindicated his equality with the Father. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 5:19

The Son can do nothing of himself - Jesus, having stated the extent of his authority, proceeds here to show its “source and nature,” and to prove to them that what he had said was true. The first explanation which he gives is in these words: “The Son” - whom he had just impliedly affirmed to be equal with God - did nothing “of himself;” that is, nothing without the appointment of the Father; nothing contrary to the Father, as he immediately explains it. When it is said that he can “do nothing”... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 5:17-20

John 5:17-20. Jesus answered “By the Jews, who in the preceding verses are said to have persecuted Jesus, we are to understand the rulers, as appears from John 5:33, where Jesus, speaking to the persons who sought to kill him, (John 5:18,) says unto them, Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But the messengers that were sent to John were priests and Levites, (John 1:19,) persons of character who would not have undertaken the office, unless by the appointment of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 5:1-29

IN JERUSALEM AGAIN46. Healing at Bethesda and its outcome (John 5:1-29)Jesus came from Galilee to Jerusalem for a Jewish religious festival. While there he visited a pool where many blind and crippled people hoped to find healing (John 5:1-5). One of the men asked Jesus for help, not to heal him (for he did not know who Jesus was) but to assist him into the pool. Jesus responded by healing him instantly (John 5:6-9). As the healing took place on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders were anxious to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 5:19

Then = Therefore. Verily, verily. The fifth occurance. See note on John 1:51 . do . His works were like His words. See note on John 7:16 . nothing . Greek. ou ouden. A double negative. of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 . but = if not. Greek. ean me. seeth. Greek. blepo. App-133 . the Father . See note on John 1:14 . do = doing. these also . Read "also "after "Son". likewise = in like manner. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 5:19

Jesus 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 whatsoever things he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.In the words of Hovey, the action of Jesus here was:To convince his foes, if they will suffer themselves to be convinced that his action has been in harmony with the will of God. In doing this, he is not called upon to emphasize his personal distinction from the Father (that was... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 5:19

John 5:19. Then answered Jesus,— Jesus did not deny the conclusion in Joh 5:18 but shewed that, in all things, he acted agreeably to the will of God the Father, and that he was equal in power to God, doing whatever he saw the Father do; an honour which flowed to him from the immense and eternal love of the Father,and which was a clear and convincing proof of the Father's love towards him. The Son can do nothing of himself, means "nothing in opposition to the economy of the Father read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 5:19

19, 20. the Son can do nothing of himself—that is, apart from and in rivalry of the Father, as they supposed. The meaning is, "The Son can have no separate interest or action from the Father." for what things, &c.—On the contrary, "whatever the Father doeth that same doeth the Son," likewise—"in the like manner." What claim to absolute equality with the Father could exceed this: not only to do "the same things," but to do them as the Father does them? read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 5:19

Jesus introduced his reply with another solemn affirmation. He began by assuring the Jewish leaders that He was not claiming independence from the Father. He was definitely subordinate to Him, and He followed the Father’s lead (cf. John 4:34; John 5:30; John 8:28; John 12:50; John 15:10; Luke 5:17). Jesus described His relationship to the Father as similar to that of a son growing up in a household who learns a trade from his father while remaining submissive to him. The Son of God receives... read more