John 5:17

ἀπεκρίνατο. The middle occurs in S. John only here, John 5:19, and John 12:23 (?). This was how He met their constant persecution. The discourse which follows (see introductory note to chap. 3) may be thus analysed. (Sanday, p. 106.) It has two main divisions—I. The prerogatives of the Son of God (17–30). II. The unbelief of the Jews (31–47). These two are subdivided as follows: I. 1. Defence of healing on the Sabbath based on the relation of the Son to the Father (17, 18). 2. Intimacy of the Son with the Father further enforced (19, 20). 3. This intimacy proved by the twofold power committed to the Son (a) of communicating spiritual life (21–27), (b) of raising the dead (28, 29). 4. The Son’s qualification for these high powers is the perfect harmony of His Will with that of the Father (30). II. 1. The Son’s claims rest not on His testimony alone, nor on that of John, but on that of the Father (31–35). 2. The Father’s testimony is evident (a) in the works assigned to the Son (36), (b) in the revelation which the Jews reject (37–40). 3. Not that the Son needs honour from men, who are too worldly to receive Him (41–44). 4. Their appeal to Moses is vain; his writings condemn them.

17. ἕως ἄρτι. See on John 2:10. My Father is working even until now; I am working also. From the Creation up to this moment God has been ceaselessly working for man’s salvation. From such activity there is no rest, no Sabbath: for mere cessation from activity is not of the essence of the Sabbath; and to cease to do good is not to keep the Sabbath but to sin. Sabbaths have never hindered the Father’s work; they must not hinder the Son’s. Elsewhere (Mark 2:27) Christ says that the Sabbath is a blessing not a burden; it was made for man, not man for it. Here He takes far higher ground for Himself. He is equal to the Father, and does what the Father does. Mark 2:28 helps to connect the two positions. If the Sabbath is subject to man, much more to the Son of Man, who is equal to the Father. Is not the Law-Giver greater than His laws? Note the co-ordination of the Son’s work with the Father’s.