CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/5-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/43_Jhn_05_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 5:17 - The Father and the Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Jesus answered them, To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/5-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/5-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/5-16.htm" title="John 5:16">◄</a> John 5:17 <a href="/john/5-18.htm" title="John 5:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/5.htm">New International Version</a> In his defense Jesus said to them, &#8220My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” <a href="/esv/john/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” <a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.” <a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." <a href="/kjv/john/5.htm">King James Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. <a href="/nkjv/john/5.htm">New King James Version</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” <a href="/nasb_/john/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” <a href="/nasb/john/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> But He answered them, &#8220My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” <a href="/lsb/john/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” <a href="/amp/john/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.” <a href="/csb/john/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” <a href="/hcsb/john/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jesus responded to them, &#8220My Father is still working, and I am working also.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. <a href="/cev/john/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But Jesus said, "My Father has never stopped working, and this is why I keep on working." <a href="/erv/john/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. <a href="/gwt/john/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus replied to them, "My Father is working right now, and so am I." <a href="/gnt/john/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered them, "My Father is always working, and I too must work." <a href="/isv/john/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I, too, am working." <a href="/msb/john/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, ?To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.? <a href="/net/john/5.htm">NET Bible</a> So he told them, "My Father is working until now, and I too am working." <a href="/nheb/john/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But he answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too." <a href="/wbt/john/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. <a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> His reply to their accusation was, "My Father works unceasingly, and so do I." <a href="/web/john/5.htm">World English Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Jesus answered them, “My Father works until now, and I work”; <a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." <a href="/ylt/john/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus answered them, 'My Father till now doth work, and I work;' <a href="/slt/john/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus answered, My Father works till now, and I work.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Jesus answered them: My Father worketh until now; and I work. <a href="/cpdv/john/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Jesus answered them, “Even now, my Father is working, and I am working.” <a href="/nabre/john/5.htm">New American Bible</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, and I also am working.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But Jesus said to them, My Father works even until now, so I also work. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But Yeshua himself said to them: “My Father is working until this hour, and I am also working.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But Jesus answered them: My Father works till now, and I also work. <a href="/godbey/john/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He responded to them, <FR>My Father worketh until now, and I work.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. <a href="/mace/john/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I. <a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> His reply to their accusation was, "My Father works unceasingly, and so do I." <a href="/worrell/john/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But He answered them, <FR>"My Father worketh even until now, and I work."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But Jesus answered them, <FR>My Father worketh without intermission, and <Fr>so<FR> do I.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/5-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1449" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">The Father and the Son</a> 16Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him. 17<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apekrinato (V-AIM-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">answered</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/2193.htm" title="2193: heōs (Prep) -- A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.">“To</a> <a href="/greek/737.htm" title="737: arti (Adv) -- Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now.">this very day</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/2038.htm" title="2038: ergazetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. ">is at His work,</a> <a href="/greek/2504.htm" title="2504: kagō (PPro-N1S) -- To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.">and I too</a> <a href="/greek/2038.htm" title="2038: ergazomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. ">am working.” </a> 18Because 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Genesis 2:2-3</a> And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. / Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished. <a href="/exodus/20-9.htm">Exodus 20:9-11</a> Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. / For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. <a href="/hebrews/4-4.htm">Hebrews 4:4</a> For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” <a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17</a> He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/john/9-4.htm">John 9:4</a> While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. <a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10</a> Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a> I and the Father are one.” <a href="/john/17-4.htm">John 17:4</a> I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. <a href="/matthew/12-8.htm">Matthew 12:8</a> For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” <a href="/mark/2-27.htm">Mark 2:27-28</a> Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” <a href="/luke/6-5.htm">Luke 6:5</a> Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Acts 17:28</a> ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a> And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But Jesus answered them, My Father works till now, and I work.My.<a href="/john/9-4.htm">John 9:4</a> I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.<a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10</a> 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.<a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">Genesis 2:1,2</a> Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Accusation</a> <a href="/luke/21-36.htm">Always</a> <a href="/daniel/7-28.htm">Hitherto</a> <a href="/john/5-16.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Unceasingly</a> <a href="/john/4-38.htm">Work</a> <a href="/daniel/11-23.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Working</a> <a href="/john/3-21.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/18-29.htm">Accusation</a> <a href="/john/6-34.htm">Always</a> <a href="/john/16-24.htm">Hitherto</a> <a href="/john/5-18.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Unceasingly</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Work</a> <a href="/acts/10-35.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/john/9-4.htm">Working</a> <a href="/john/5-20.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">John 5</div>1. <a href="/john/5-1.htm">Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.</a> 10. <a href="/john/5-10.htm">The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.</a> 17. <a href="/john/5-17.htm">He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,</a> 31. <a href="/john/5-31.htm">of John,</a> 36. <a href="/john/5-36.htm">of his works,</a> 39. <a href="/john/5-39.htm">and of the Scriptures, who he is.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But Jesus answered them In this context, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who were questioning His actions, particularly His healing on the Sabbath. This phrase indicates a direct response to their accusations, showcasing Jesus' authority and willingness to engage with religious leaders. The use of "answered" suggests a defense or explanation, highlighting the tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities.“To this very day This phrase emphasizes the continuity and ongoing nature of God's work. It suggests that God's activity did not cease after creation but continues in sustaining and governing the world. The phrase "to this very day" implies that God's work is not bound by human constraints such as the Sabbath, which is a key point in the context of the Sabbath controversy.My Father is at His work Here, Jesus refers to God as "My Father," indicating a unique and intimate relationship with God. This was a radical claim, as it implied equality with God, which was considered blasphemous by the Jewish leaders. The concept of God working continuously is rooted in Jewish understanding of God's providence and care for creation, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/121-4.htm">Psalm 121:4</a>, which states that God does not slumber or sleep.and I too am working.” Jesus aligns His actions with those of the Father, asserting His divine authority and mission. This statement reinforces the idea that Jesus' works, including His miracles and teachings, are in harmony with God's will. It also foreshadows the greater works Jesus would accomplish, such as His death and resurrection. Theologically, this phrase underscores the unity of the Father and the Son, a theme that is further developed in the Gospel of John, particularly in <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a>, where Jesus states, "I and the Father are one."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> - The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who are questioning His actions on the Sabbath. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> - They are challenging Jesus because He healed a man on the Sabbath, which they considered a violation of the law. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father (God)</a> - Referred to by Jesus as "My Father," indicating a unique and intimate relationship. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sabbath.htm">The Sabbath</a> - The day of rest in Jewish law, which is central to the conflict in this passage. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> - The city where this event takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_work.htm">Understanding Divine Work</a> Jesus emphasizes that God's work is continuous, even on the Sabbath. This challenges us to recognize that God's care and provision are constant and not limited by human constraints. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_jesus'_authority.htm">The Nature of Jesus' Authority</a> By equating His work with the Father's, Jesus asserts His divine authority. Believers are called to trust in Jesus' sovereignty and His power to act beyond human limitations. <a href="/topical/s/sabbath_and_rest_in_christ.htm">Sabbath and Rest in Christ</a> The Sabbath is a shadow of the rest we find in Christ. Christians are encouraged to find their ultimate rest and peace in Jesus, rather than in legalistic observance. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_legalism.htm">Responding to Legalism</a> Jesus' response to the Jewish leaders teaches us to prioritize compassion and the spirit of the law over rigid adherence to rules. We should seek to understand the heart of God's commands. <a href="/topical/c/continuous_spiritual_growth.htm">Continuous Spiritual Growth</a> Just as God is always at work, believers are encouraged to continually grow in their faith and service, reflecting God's ongoing work in the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 5</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_fourfold_witness.htm">What is the concept of the Fourfold Witness?</a> <a href="/q/who_knows_the_son_except_the_father.htm">Who knows the Son except the Father?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_pool_of_bethesda_important.htm">What is the significance of the Pool of Bethesda?</a> <a href="/q/why_plan_to_kill_jesus_for_sabbath-breaking.htm">Why do the Jewish authorities immediately plan to kill Jesus for Sabbath-breaking (John 5:16–18) when other Gospel narratives show less extreme reactions to similar actions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) My Father worketh hitherto (or, up to this moment).--They charge Him with breaking the law of God. His answer to this charge is that His action was the result of His Sonship and unity with that God. The very idea of God implied action. This was familiar to the thought of the day. Comp., e.g., in the contemporary Philo, "God never ceases working; but as to burn is the property of fire, and to be cold is the property of snow, thus also to work is the property of God, and much the more, inasmuch as He is the origin of action for all others" (Legis Allegor. i. 3. See the whole section. The English reader will find it in Bohn's Ed., vol i., p. 53). The rest on the seventh day was the completion of the works of creation (see this stated emphatically in <a href="/context/genesis/2-2.htm" title="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.">Genesis 2:2-3</a>). It was not, it could not be, a cessation in divine work, or in the flow of divine energy. That knew nor day nor night, nor summer nor winter, nor Sabbath nor Jubilee. For man, and animal, and tree, and field, this alternation of a time of production and a time of reception was needed, but God was the ever-constant source of energy and life for all in heaven and earth and sea. The power going forth to heal that sufferer was the same power which sustained them in well-being. The strength which passed through his half-dead frame, and bade it live, was the same which every Sabbath morning awoke them from death's image, sleep, and would awake from death itself (<a href="/john/5-21.htm" title="For as the Father raises up the dead, and vivifies them; even so the Son vivifies whom he will.">John 5:21</a>). The sun shone, and fruitful showers fell, and flower burst its bud, and harvest ripened, and they themselves, in energy of life, had grown on every day alike. God ever worketh up to this present moment. That God is also Father. The Son, therefore, worketh in the same way. This poor sufferer, lying helpless, is of the same human nature with the Son of God. He has in faith and hope made himself receptive of the divine energy, and that energy which can know no Sabbath, but is ever going forth to every heart that can receive it, hath made him whole.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 17, 18. - (a) The claim of special relation with the Father. Verse 17. - But Jesus answered them (ἀπεκρίνατο; here and ver. 19 are the only places where the author uses this aorist, My Father worketh hitherto; i.e. until now; has not, has never, ceased from working. Some critics, eager for disparaging comment, have said "this is point blank denial of the sabbath rest of the Creator as exhibited in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1, 2</a>, and <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Exodus 20</a>. But, on the contrary, it is the true exposition of those grand utterances. God through his Logos, the Father through his Son, did bring his strictly creative works to an end with the six days; but then he entered on the seventh day, the rest of his preserving, protective, reproductive energy; then he began to pursue his redeeming and quickening operations in all regions of his dominion. My Father worketh, energizes, until now. His "rest" is an infinite activity of wisdom and power, of righteousness and mercy. The true sabbath is this rest of God. Man has to enter into this rest, and cooperate with and utterly abandon himself to the will of God. Sabbath keeping is the great symbol of such entire satisfaction with God. The activities from which man has to cease on the holy day are man's own, man's self-centred labours; but he, too, may combine the highest activity with profound repose. "My Father worketh until now, and I work - I, who am his Instrument, his Word, his Manifestation, his Messenger, abstaining from all mere self-originated, self-poised, self-centering toil, I work with him for him. I work obviously and visibly that you may see for yourselves what he has ever been doing silently and unobserved." Philo had said ('Leg. All.,' 1:3) "that God never ceases to create, nor takes a holiday from his works;" and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews (4) had grasped, as an echo of Christ's own teaching, the perpetuity of Divine rest through all the ages of work; but the naked thought here soars far above them both. The dawning of every clay, the opening of the flowers, the flowing of the rivers, the sustenance of vegetable, animal, and human life, reveal through every moment of the agelong sabbath rest, and on every sabbath day, his intense and constant activity. <a href="/commentaries/john/5-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. answered ἀπεκρίνατο (apekrinato) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “To ἕως (heōs) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2193.htm">Strong's 2193: </a> A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. this very day ἄρτι (arti) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_737.htm">Strong's 737: </a> Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now. My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Father Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. is at His work, ἐργάζεται (ergazetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2038.htm">Strong's 2038: </a> To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. and I too κἀγὼ (kagō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2504.htm">Strong's 2504: </a> To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me. am working.” ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2038.htm">Strong's 2038: </a> To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/5-17.htm">NT Gospels: John 5:17 But Jesus answered them My Father (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/5-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 5:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 5:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/5-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 5:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 5:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>