John 5:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G1223}{G5124}{G3767} the Jews {G2453} sought {G2212} the more {G3123} to kill {G615} him {G846}, because {G3754} he {G3089} not {G3756} only {G3440} had broken {G3089} the sabbath {G4521}, but {G235} said {G3004} also {G2532} that God {G2316} was his {G2398} Father {G3962}, making {G4160} himself {G1438} equal {G2470} with God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This answer made the Judeans all the more intent on killing him — not only was he breaking Shabbat; but also, by saying that God was his own Father, he was claiming equality with God.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

American Standard Version

For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:18 encapsulates the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, revealing the two primary accusations that fueled their intent to kill Him. These grievances were His perceived violation of the Sabbath law and, more profoundly, His audacious claim to a unique, intimate relationship with God, thereby asserting His own divine equality. This verse marks a critical juncture in John's Gospel, highlighting the profound theological implications of Jesus' identity and mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' healing of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath ([John 5:1-9](/john/5-1-9 "John 5:1-9 - The Healing at Bethesda")). The Jewish leaders' initial anger stemmed from Jesus' instruction to the healed man to "take up his bed and walk" ([John 5:8](/john/5-8 "John 5:8 - Take Up Your Bed")), which they considered a violation of their Sabbath regulations. When confronted, Jesus offered a defense that escalated the conflict: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" ([John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - Jesus' Defense")). John 5:18 then explains precisely *why* this statement, in addition to the Sabbath "breach," intensified their murderous intent, revealing their understanding of Jesus' claim to divine sonship and equality.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath was a foundational pillar of Jewish life and identity, rooted in the Mosaic Law ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day")). Over centuries, rabbinic traditions had developed an intricate system of rules and prohibitions, often exceeding the biblical command. Carrying a mat, for example, was considered "work." More critically, the claim to divine equality was deemed blasphemy, punishable by stoning under Jewish law ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Punishment for Blasphemy")). The Jewish leaders' reaction reflects their deep commitment to monotheism and their perception that Jesus was usurping God's unique prerogatives, a claim they considered the ultimate affront to their faith and the Law.

* **Key Themes:** John 5:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. The **Sabbath controversy** is a recurring motif, where Jesus consistently challenges legalistic interpretations, demonstrating that His authority transcends man-made rules and that the Sabbath is a day for divine activity and mercy ([Mark 2:27-28](/mark/2-27-28 "Mark 2:27-28 - The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath")). More significantly, this verse is central to the theme of **Jesus' divine identity and authority**. His declaration, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," is understood by His accusers as a direct assertion of equality with God, a theme John develops throughout his Gospel to affirm Jesus as the Son of God, fully divine ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God"), [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and the Father are One")). This also foreshadows the **escalating hostility and rejection** Jesus faces, which ultimately leads to His crucifixion, as the Jewish leaders' resolve to "kill him" becomes increasingly fixed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb, G2212, means "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, it clearly indicates a malicious and determined plotting against Jesus' life, moving beyond mere opposition to active conspiracy.
* **broken (Greek, _lýō'_):** G3089, meaning "to 'loosen' (literally or figuratively); break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-)loose, melt, put off." Here, it signifies not merely a minor infraction but a perceived fundamental "breaking" or "dissolving" of the Sabbath law, an act of significant transgression in the eyes of the Jewish authorities.
* **equal (Greek, _ísos'_):** G2470, meaning "similar (in amount and kind)." This word is crucial, as it indicates that the Jewish leaders understood Jesus' claims not as a metaphorical or adoptive sonship, but as a claim to co-equality in essence, nature, and authority with God. This was the ultimate blasphemy from their perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him":** This phrase immediately establishes the intensified animosity of the Jewish religious authorities. The word "therefore" links directly to Jesus' preceding statement in [John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - Jesus' Defense"), indicating that His words, not just His actions, were the catalyst for their increased murderous intent. The "Jews" here refers specifically to the hostile religious leaders in Jerusalem, not all Jewish people.
* **"because he not only had broken the sabbath":** This is the first of two charges against Jesus. In their rigid interpretation, Jesus' command for the healed man to carry his mat on the Sabbath constituted a violation of the law. This highlights the clash between Jesus' compassionate actions and the legalistic traditions of the religious establishment.
* **"but said also that God was his Father":** This is the more profound and dangerous accusation. Jesus' declaration, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," was understood by His listeners as an assertion of a unique, intimate, and authoritative relationship with God—a claim of divine sonship that went far beyond that of any prophet or ordinary man. The use of "My Father" was not merely a general acknowledgment of God as Father of all, but a specific, personal claim.
* **"making himself equal with God":** This clause clarifies the Jewish leaders' interpretation of Jesus' claim to sonship. They correctly understood that by calling God "His Father" in such a manner, and by claiming to "work" just as God "works" on the Sabbath, Jesus was asserting a shared nature, authority, and prerogative with God. This was perceived as the ultimate blasphemy, an act of self-deification, and thus, a capital offense.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:18 employs **Exposition** to directly explain the escalating hostility towards Jesus, laying bare the two core reasons for the Jewish leaders' murderous intent. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by placing the lesser charge (Sabbath-breaking) alongside the greater, more damning one (claiming equality with God), emphasizing which accusation truly drove their desire to kill Him. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the deepening conflict that will ultimately lead to Jesus' crucifixion, as His claims to divinity become increasingly explicit and intolerable to His opponents.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:18 is a pivotal verse for understanding the Christology of John's Gospel. It demonstrates that Jesus' contemporaries, particularly His adversaries, clearly grasped the profound implications of His words: He was not merely a prophet or a good teacher, but someone claiming a unique, ontological equality with God. This understanding, though leading to their condemnation, ironically affirms the very truth of Jesus' divine nature that the Gospel of John seeks to establish from its opening prologue. The verse underscores the irreconcilable conflict between Jesus' divine identity and mission, and the rigid, man-made religious system that refused to acknowledge Him.

* [John 10:30-33](/john/10-30-33 "John 10:30-33 - I and My Father Are One")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")
* [Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - The Supremacy of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:18 forces us to confront the central claim of Christianity: who Jesus truly is. The Jewish leaders understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, and this understanding led them to seek His death. For us today, this verse demands a similar decision. We cannot simply view Jesus as a wise teacher or a moral example; His claims to divine equality necessitate a response. If He is who He claimed to be, then His words carry divine authority, and His sacrifice holds ultimate saving power. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of religious legalism, where human traditions and interpretations can overshadow God's true heart for compassion, healing, and salvation. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we prioritize external rules over a living relationship with God and His Son? Do we allow our preconceived notions to blind us to the truth of God's revelation?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Jewish leaders' reaction to Jesus' claim of equality with God challenge my own understanding of Jesus' identity?**
* **In what ways might I, like the Jewish leaders, prioritize human traditions or comfort zones over truly encountering and submitting to God's revealed truth?**
* **What does Jesus' willingness to make such a controversial claim, knowing it would lead to hostility, teach me about His conviction and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why was breaking the Sabbath such a serious offense to the Jewish leaders?**

Answer: To the Jewish leaders, breaking the Sabbath was a grave offense because it was seen as a direct violation of one of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day")). Beyond the biblical command, centuries of rabbinic tradition had developed an extensive body of oral law, or Halakha, which meticulously defined what constituted "work" on the Sabbath. These traditions were considered binding and essential to maintaining the distinctiveness and holiness of the Jewish people. Jesus' actions, such as healing and instructing the man to carry his mat, were perceived as a deliberate disregard for these established interpretations, challenging their authority and the very fabric of their religious system.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:18, though portraying the escalating rejection of Jesus, profoundly underscores His divine identity, which is central to His Christ-centered fulfillment. The Jewish leaders' correct interpretation of Jesus' words—that He was "making himself equal with God"—reveals the very truth that the New Testament proclaims. Jesus is not merely a human prophet, but the eternal Son of God, who, as [Philippians 2:6](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6 - Christ's Divine Nature") states, "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." His claims to divine sonship and equality were not blasphemy but the declaration of His true nature, essential for His redemptive work. As the divine Son, He alone possessed the authority to forgive sins ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "Mark 2:10 - The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")) and to offer eternal life ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life")). His willingness to face death for this truth culminated in His atoning sacrifice, fulfilling the Father's will and providing salvation for all who believe in Him as the unique Son of God ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, the very accusation that sealed His earthly fate confirms His divine status, without which there would be no gospel.

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 10:33

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Philippians 2:6

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: