John 5:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 5:17-30

We have here Christ's discourse upon occasion of his being accused as a sabbath-breaker, and it seems to be his vindication of himself before the sanhedrim, when he was arraigned before them: whether on the same day, or two or three days after, does not appear; probably the same day. Observe, I. The doctrine laid down, by which he justified what he did on the sabbath day (John 5:17): He answered them. This supposes that he had something laid to his charge: or what they suggested one to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 5:19-29

5:19-29 This is the truth I tell you--the Son cannot do anything which proceeds from himself. He can only do what he sees the Father doing. In whatever way the Father acts, the Son likewise acts in the same way; for the Father loves the son and has shown him everything that he does. And he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be moved to wondering amazement. For, as the Father raises the dead and makes them alive, so also the Son makes alive those whom he wishes. Neither... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 5:19

Then answered Jesus, and said unto them ,.... They charged him with blasphemy for calling God his Father, and making himself equal to him: and his answer is so far from denying the thing, or observing any mistake, or misrepresentation of his words, that he allows the whole, and vindicates himself in so saying: verily verily, I say unto you ; nothing is more certain; it may be depended on as truth; I who am truth itself, the "Amen", and faithful witness, aver it with the greatest... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:19

The Son can do nothing of himself - Because of his inseparable union with the Father: nor can the Father do any thing of himself, because of his infinite unity with the Son. What things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son - God does nothing but what Christ does. What God does is the work of God, and proper to no creature - Jesus does whatsoever God does, and therefore is no created being. The Son can do nothing but what he sees the Father do: now, any intelligent creature may do... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:19

Verse 19 19.Jesus therefore answered. We see what I have said, that Christ is so far from vindicating himself from what the Jews asserted, though they intended it as a calumny, that he maintains more openly that it is true. And first he insists on this point, that the work which the Jews cavilled at was a divine work, to make them understand that they must fight with God himself, if they persist in condemning what must necessarily be ascribed to him. This passage was anciently debated in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:1-47

1. Christ proved, by signs and wonders and testimonies, to be Source of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:17-23

Our Lord's vindication of his conduct. It is summarized in a single significant sentence: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." I. THE TRUE MEANING OF OUR LORD 'S DECLARATION . 1 . His Father ' s life is characterized by unceasing activity. He may have ceased to put forth power in the way of creative energy, but he is still active in the spheres of providence and redemption. 2 . Christ ' s work is coordinate with that of the Father, and not merely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:17-47

(3) The reply of Jesus to the hostile Jews. The discourse of the Lord Jesus, in reply to the persecuting spirit and deadly purpose of the Jewish authorities, is now given at length. There is a fulness and order and progress observable throughout of immense importance as establishing the sacred origin of the words. The simplicity of the style, quite Hebraic in its freedom from conjunctive forms, discriminates it from the Philonic presentation of certain analogous but different ideas. If, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:19

Jesus therefore answered and said to them ; i.e. replied to their secret thoughts, and to the sentiments of animosity and hostility which they did not conceal. He spake in language of extraordinary solemnity and august claim. The v erily, verily , with which he prefaced the opening sentence, and which he repeated (cf. John 5:24 , John 5:25 , as in John 3:3 and elsewhere) on subsequent occasions, denoted the high ground of authoritative revelation on which he took his stand. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:19-20

(a) He declares himself to be " the Sore " read more

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