John 5:30–47

Read the passage.

Again, those of the unitarian persuasion will point to verse 30 to say, “You see? Jesus can’t do anything on his own, so how can he be God?” This conflates the different reasons someone would say what Jesus did, and only one of them applies, because He continues on. Jesus isn’t talking of inability because He lacks the power. This is a complete submission of His will to the Father’s will. The only things He lets himself do are those that the Father wants Him to do: a complete unification of purpose within the Godhead.

As He is on trial in the court of public opinion, Jesus lays out His case for His message and ministry. First, He recalls John’s testimony about Himself, and that the people believed John was telling them the words of God then as well. If only Jesus was saying things about Himself, there would be far less reason to believe Him. Jesus’s second “witness” is the number of miracles He had performed in public, both in Jerusalem and Galilee. God approves of what Jesus has been saying, so miraculous healings and other signs have occurred wherever Jesus goes.

Finally, the Scriptures themselves, God’s very Word to mankind, speak of Jesus and what He has come to do. However, while the Jews have been diligent students of the Torah and the prophets, they have not received the message because the Spirit has not revealed it to them. They are looking for God’s favor and eternal life, but miss finding it because their hearts are darkened by sin.

Reveal Your love to us so that we will not perish.