John 5:17

KJV

¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} them {G846}, My {G3450} Father {G3962} worketh {G2038} hitherto {G2193}{G737}, and I {G2504} work {G2038}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I too am working.”

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

American Standard Version

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 5:17, Jesus boldly defends His Sabbath healing by asserting His divine prerogative and intimate relationship with God the Father. Faced with accusations of Sabbath-breaking and blasphemy, Jesus declares that just as His Father is continuously at work in sustaining creation and fulfilling His purposes, so too is He, the Son, actively engaged in divine work, particularly acts of mercy and redemption. This statement profoundly reveals Jesus' shared nature and authority with God, challenging the legalistic interpretations of His accusers and setting the stage for a deeper revelation of His identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows Jesus' miraculous healing of a man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years at the Pool of Bethesda, an event detailed in [John 5:1-9](/john/5-1-9 "John 5:1-9 - The Healing at Bethesda"). The controversy arises because Jesus instructed the healed man to pick up his mat and walk, an act the Jewish religious leaders considered a violation of the Sabbath law ([John 5:10-12](/john/5-10-12 "John 5:10-12 - The Sabbath Controversy Begins")). Their opposition escalates to persecution, as noted in [John 5:16](/john/5-16 "John 5:16 - Persecution for Sabbath Healing"), because Jesus not only performed the healing but also implicitly endorsed the "work" of carrying the mat. Jesus' declaration in [John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - Jesus' Defense of His Sabbath Work") is His direct, profound response to this escalating hostility, shifting the argument from a mere interpretation of the law to a revelation of His divine identity and authority.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish understanding of the Sabbath, derived from the Old Testament commands ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")), had evolved into a complex system of oral traditions and rabbinic interpretations by the time of Jesus. The Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish oral laws, meticulously defined what constituted "work" (melakhah), prohibiting thirty-nine principal categories of labor. Healing, especially when not life-threatening, was often considered a violation. The religious leaders believed God "rested" on the seventh day after creation ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")), implying a complete cessation of activity. Jesus' statement directly challenges this rigid interpretation by appealing to a higher truth: God's continuous, providential activity in sustaining the universe and working out His purposes, even on the Sabbath.

* **Key Themes:** John 5:17 is central to several major themes woven throughout [John's Gospel](/john/1 "The Gospel of John"). Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Divine Authority and Identity**, as He claims a prerogative that transcends human legalism, grounding His actions in the very nature of God. This leads directly to the theme of **Jesus' Equality with the Father**, a concept that deeply offends the Jewish leaders, as seen in [John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - The Jewish Leaders' Reaction to Jesus' Claim"). The verse also contributes to the theme of the **Ongoing Work of God**, emphasizing that God is not a static deity but is actively involved in His creation, providentially caring for it and working out His will. Finally, it highlights the **True Meaning of the Sabbath**, challenging a rigid, legalistic interpretation and emphasizing that acts of compassion and God's redemptive work are not violations but expressions of its true spirit, as Jesus often demonstrated (e.g., [Mark 2:27-28](/mark/2-27-28 "Mark 2:27-28 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **worketh (Greek, _ergázomai'_):** This verb signifies to toil, labor, or be engaged in an occupation. In the context of God, it refers to His continuous, active involvement in creation, providence, and redemption. For Jesus, it denotes His shared divine activity with the Father, particularly in acts of mercy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It emphasizes ongoing, purposeful action rather than mere existence.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** While a common term, Jesus' use of "My Father" (Ho Patēr mou) is deeply significant. It expresses an intimate, unique, and personal relationship, highlighting His divine Sonship. This claim of a singular relationship with God as "My Father" was understood by the Jewish leaders as an assertion of equality with God, which they considered blasphemous.
* **and I (Greek, _kagṓ'_):** This compound pronoun, combining "and" (kai) with "I" (egō), strongly emphasizes Jesus' personal involvement and shared agency with the Father. It is not merely a statement of similarity but of identification in action and purpose, underscoring His co-working and co-equality with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jesus answered them":** This phrase marks Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the Jewish leaders' accusations and persecution for His Sabbath healing. It signifies that Jesus is not merely defending Himself but is using the occasion to reveal a profound truth about His identity and relationship with God.
* **"My Father worketh hitherto":** Jesus asserts that God the Father has been continuously and actively engaged in His divine work from creation until the present moment. This "work" is not manual labor but the ongoing sustenance of the universe, the governance of human affairs, and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes. It challenges the rigid Jewish interpretation of God's "rest" after creation, implying that God is perpetually active in upholding and directing all things.
* **"and I work":** With this powerful declaration, Jesus claims to share in this continuous, divine activity of the Father. His "work" on the Sabbath, particularly acts of healing and mercy, is presented not as a violation of the law but as an expression of His inherent divine nature and His unity of purpose with God. This statement is a direct assertion of His equality with the Father in authority, power, and ongoing divine action.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:17 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological weight. The verse employs **Assertion**, as Jesus makes a definitive and unequivocal statement about His relationship with the Father and His divine activity. This assertion functions as a **Claim of Deity**, implicitly declaring His co-equality with God, which is further highlighted by the Jewish leaders' reaction in the subsequent verse ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - The Jewish Response to Jesus' Claim")). There is a clear **Juxtaposition** between the human, legalistic understanding of Sabbath rest and the divine, continuous work of God and Jesus. The use of **Personal Pronouns** ("My Father," "I") emphasizes the unique and intimate relationship between Jesus and God, underscoring Jesus' self-awareness of His divine Sonship and shared essence. The brevity and directness of the statement also contribute to its impact, making it a concise yet profound theological declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:17 stands as a foundational theological statement, revealing the active nature of God and the divine identity of Jesus. It challenges the notion of a static, distant deity, portraying God as perpetually involved in the sustenance and governance of His creation. More profoundly, Jesus' claim to "work" just as His Father "works" is a direct assertion of His divine nature and co-equality with God. This statement is not merely a defense of His actions but a revelation of His very being, indicating a shared will, purpose, and authority with the Father. It redefines the Sabbath, shifting focus from rigid legalism to the compassionate, life-giving work of God, demonstrating that true rest is found in aligning with God's active redemptive purposes.

* [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One")
* [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Upholds All Things")
* [Psalm 121:3-4](/psalms/121-3-4 "Psalm 121:3-4 - God Never Slumbers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:17 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God is not a passive observer but is ceaselessly at work in the world and in our individual lives. This truth should instill confidence in His providential care, even when circumstances seem chaotic or His activity is not immediately apparent. For us, Jesus' example challenges any tendency towards rigid, legalistic interpretations of faith that might hinder compassion or the advancement of God's kingdom. We are called to discern and participate in God's ongoing work, aligning our lives, ministries, and acts of service with His active purposes, rather than being bound by traditions that might stifle genuine spiritual engagement. Understanding Jesus' divine authority and His intimate, co-working relationship with the Father deepens our worship and trust in Him as the sovereign Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's continuous work impact your view of His providence in your life and in the world today?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Jewish leaders, prioritize human traditions or rigid interpretations over God's compassionate and redemptive work?**
* **How does Jesus' claim of equality with the Father inform your worship and understanding of His identity and mission?**

### FAQ

**What does "worketh hitherto" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Worketh hitherto" (KJV) translates the Greek phrase *héōs árti ergázetai*, meaning "is working until now" or "has been working continually." In this context, Jesus is asserting that God the Father has been, and continues to be, actively involved in sustaining creation, governing the universe, and carrying out His divine purposes without interruption. While God "rested" on the seventh day from the work of creation ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")), He never ceased His providential work of upholding all things ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds the Universe")) and interacting with humanity. Jesus uses this truth to justify His own "work" on the Sabbath, implying that His actions are in harmony with the Father's continuous divine activity.

**Why was Jesus' statement so offensive to the Jewish leaders?**

Answer: Jesus' statement was offensive to the Jewish leaders for two primary reasons. First, it challenged their strict interpretation of the Sabbath law, which prohibited most forms of "work." By claiming His Father "worketh hitherto" and that He, too, "works," Jesus suggested that His healing on the Sabbath was not a violation but an extension of God's own ongoing, life-giving activity. Second, and more critically, His declaration "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" implied an unparalleled and intimate relationship with God, suggesting equality in nature and authority. As [John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jewish Leaders' Reaction") clarifies, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." This claim of divine equality was considered blasphemy, punishable by death under their law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:17 profoundly reveals Jesus as the active, co-equal Son of God, whose "work" is intrinsically linked to the Father's eternal purposes, culminating in the grand narrative of redemption. From the very beginning, the [Word was with God and was God](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator"), actively involved in creation and its ongoing sustenance. Jesus' declaration, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," foreshadows His entire redemptive mission. His work of healing, teaching, and ultimately, suffering and resurrection, is the Father's work being accomplished through the Son. This continuous divine activity reaches its apex in Christ's atoning sacrifice, where He perfectly fulfills the Father's will for salvation. The "work" Jesus refers to is not merely earthly miracles but the comprehensive work of bringing humanity back into fellowship with God, a work that began with creation, continued through the covenant, and was fully realized in His life, death, and resurrection. Indeed, His final cry on the cross, "[It is finished](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")," signifies the completion of this ultimate divine work, establishing a new covenant and ushering in an era where believers are invited to participate in the ongoing work of the Father and the Son, empowered by the Spirit. Just as [Christ upholds all things by the word of His power](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds the Universe"), He continues to work, drawing all people to Himself and perfecting His saints.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 14:10

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

1 Corinthians 12:6

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Genesis 2:1

¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.