John 5 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

5:18 his own Father. Referring to a special relationship. The Jews did not object to the idea that God is the Father of all, but they strongly objected to Jesus’ claim that he stood in a special relationship to the Father—a relationship so close as to make himself equal with God.

5:19 can do nothing by himself. Because of who and what he was, it was not possible for Jesus to act except in dependence on the Father (see 4:34 and note).

5:21 the Father raises the dead. A firm belief among the Jews (except the Sadducees), who also held that the Father did not give this privilege to anyone else. Jesus claimed a prerogative that, according to his opponents, belonged only to God. the Son gives life. Probably refers to Christ’s gift of abundant life here and now (10:10), though possibly also to the future resurrection (see 11:25 and note).

5:22 entrusted all judgment to the Son. The Jews believed that the Father is Judge of the world, so this teaching seemed heretical to them. For other NT assertions that Jesus will be the eschatological Judge, see Mt 25:31–33; Ac 10:42; 17:31; 2Co 5:10; 2Ti 4:1; 1Pe 4:5 and note.

5:26 has life in himself. Must be understood against the background of the OT, where life is spoken of as belonging to God and as being his gift (see Dt 30:20; Job 10:12; 33:4; Ps 16:11; 27:1; 36:9 and note). The Son has been given the same kind of life the Father possesses.

5:27 authority to judge. Granted to the Son by the Father (see v. 22 and note). Son of Man. See note on 1:51.

5:29 done what is good . . . live . . . done what is evil . . . condemned. As always in Scripture, judgment is based on what people have done in their lives (see Ro 2:6–8; Rev 20:12 and notes). Salvation, of course, is a gift from God in response to faith (see v. 24), but true faith in Christ results in changed lives, lived in obedience to Christ as Lord (see Ro 10:9–10; Jas 2:14–26 and notes).

5:30 By myself I can do nothing. Jesus stresses his dependence on the Father (see note on v. 19). He judges only as he hears from the Father, which makes his judgment fair.

5:37 the Father . . . has himself testified . . . his voice. Probably a reference to God’s voice in the Scriptures (see vv. 38–39). God had also given his voice of approval at Jesus’ baptism (see Mt 3:17 and note).

5:46 he wrote about me. The authors of the NT books sometimes expressly stressed and everywhere assumed that the OT, rightly read, pervasively points to Christ (see Lk 24:25–27, 44–46 and note on 24:44). Here Jesus applies this truth specifically to the writings traditionally ascribed to Moses. He may have had Dt 18:15, 18 especially in mind but probably was thinking more broadly of the whole scope of what the Pentateuch disclosed concerning God’s saving program in history, which Jesus the Messiah came to complete.