John 5:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore, Yeshua said this to them: “Yes, indeed! I tell you that the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does, the Son does too.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

American Standard Version:

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 what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G3767} answered^{G611} Jesus^{G2424} and^{G2532} said^{G2036} unto them^{G846}, Verily^{G281}, verily^{G281}, I say^{G3004} unto you^{G5213}, The Son^{G5207} can^{{G1410}{G3756}} do^{G4160} nothing^{G3762} of^{G575} himself^{G1438}, but^{G3362} what^{G5100} he seeth^{G991} the Father^{G3962} do^{G4160}: for^{G1063} what things soever^{{G3739}{G302}} he^{G1565} doeth^{G4160}, these^{G5023} also^{G2532} doeth^{G4160} the Son^{G5207} likewise^{G3668}.

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Commentary for John 5:19

John 5:19 is a part of the Gospel of John, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. This verse is situated within the narrative where Jesus is explaining his relationship with God the Father, particularly in the context of his healing on the Sabbath, which had provoked controversy among the Jewish leaders.

In this verse, Jesus makes a profound claim about his dependency on God the Father. The phrase "Verily, verily" (or "Truly, truly" in some translations) is used to emphasize the importance of what follows. Jesus asserts that he, as the Son, does not act independently but aligns his actions with those of the Father. He states that he can do nothing on his own initiative; rather, he imitates and replicates the works of God. This declaration underscores the unity and cooperation between Jesus and God the Father, suggesting that Jesus' actions are a direct reflection of God's will and power.

The historical context of this statement is crucial. The Jewish leaders were challenging Jesus' authority, especially his apparent disregard for Sabbath laws. Jesus' response in John 5:19 serves to affirm his divine authority and mission, which is not self-derived but comes from God the Father. This verse is a cornerstone in the Christian understanding of the Trinity, emphasizing the functional subordination of Jesus the Son to God the Father during his earthly ministry, while also maintaining their ontological unity as one God in three persons.

In summary, John 5:19 conveys the themes of the Son's unity with the Father, the Son's dependence on the Father's authority and power, and the Son's role as the perfect revelation of the Father. This verse is foundational for Christology, the branch of theology that deals with the nature and work of Jesus Christ, and it has significant implications for understanding the nature of God and the relationship between the Father and the Son within the Godhead.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G281
   There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀμήν
   Transliteration: amḗn
   Pronunciation: am-ane'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (אָמֵן); properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it):--amen, verily.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5213
   There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῖν
   Transliteration: hymîn
   Pronunciation: hoo-min'
   Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
   
10. Strong's Number: G5207
    There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: υἱός
    Transliteration: huiós
    Pronunciation: hwee-os'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1410
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμαι
    Transliteration: dýnamai
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
13. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
    
15. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1438
    There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: heautoû
    Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
    Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
    
17. Strong's Number: G3362
    There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐὰν μή
    Transliteration: eàn mḗ
    Pronunciation: eh-an' may
    Description: i.e. ἐάν and μή; if not, i.e. unless:--X before, but, except, if, no, (if, + whosoever) not.
    
18. Strong's Number: G5100
    There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τὶς
    Transliteration: tìs
    Pronunciation: tis
    Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
    
19. Strong's Number: G991
    There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βλέπω
    Transliteration: blépō
    Pronunciation: blep'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
    
20. Strong's Number: G3962
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατήρ
    Transliteration: patḗr
    Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
    
21. Strong's Number: G1063
    There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γάρ
    Transliteration: gár
    Pronunciation: gar
    Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
    
22. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
23. Strong's Number: G302
    There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἄν
    Transliteration: án
    Pronunciation: an
    Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
    
24. Strong's Number: G1565
    There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
    Transliteration: ekeînos
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
    
25. Strong's Number: G5023
    There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταῦτα
    Transliteration: taûta
    Pronunciation: tow'-tah
    Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
    
26. Strong's Number: G3668
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὁμοίως
    Transliteration: homoíōs
    Pronunciation: hom-oy'-oce
    Description: adverb from ὅμοιος; similarly:--likewise, so.