John 5:18

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

John 5:18 reveals the intensifying animosity of the Jewish leaders towards Jesus, driven by two primary grievances: His apparent disregard for their Sabbath traditions and, more significantly, His claim to divine equality with God.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' miraculous healing of an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (John 5:1-9). The Jewish authorities were incensed not only by the healing itself but also by Jesus' instruction for the healed man to carry his bed, which they considered a violation of their strict interpretation of Sabbath law. When confronted, Jesus declared, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). This statement, rather than appeasing them, further inflamed their desire to kill Him.

Key Themes

  • Sabbath Controversy: The first accusation, that Jesus "had broken the sabbath," highlights the deep conflict between Jesus' understanding of the Sabbath as a day for doing good and showing mercy, and the rigid, legalistic interpretations of the Jewish religious establishment. Jesus consistently challenged these man-made traditions, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (see Mark 2:27-28).
  • Claim to Deity: The more profound and dangerous accusation was that Jesus "said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." For the Jewish leaders, calling God "My Father" in such an intimate and authoritative way, coupled with His actions, was a direct claim to divine nature and equality with God. This was perceived as blasphemy, a capital offense under Mosaic Law. This theme is central to John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' true identity as the Son of God, not merely a prophet or a good teacher.
  • Escalating Hostility: This verse marks a significant turning point, showing the Jewish leaders' resolve to eliminate Jesus. Their desire to "kill him" stems directly from His claims about His relationship with the Father, which they interpreted as an affront to monotheism.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "making himself equal with God" (Greek: ison Theo) clearly indicates that the Jewish leaders understood Jesus' claims not as a metaphorical or adoptive sonship, but as a claim to co-equality in essence and authority with God. This is a critical point, as it confirms that Jesus' contemporaries grasped the profound implications of His words regarding His divine nature, a claim Jesus would reiterate, for instance, when stating, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), leading to similar accusations of blasphemy (John 10:33).

Practical Application

John 5:18 challenges us to consider who Jesus truly is. His claim to equality with God is not a minor detail but the very foundation of Christian faith. It forces a decision: either He is who He claimed to be, the divine Son of God, or He is a deceiver. Furthermore, it reminds us of the dangers of religious legalism that prioritizes human traditions over God's true intent for compassion and salvation. Understanding this verse helps us appreciate the ultimate cost Jesus paid for His truth claims and His enduring identity as God incarnate.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

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