But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just saying he's working like God; he's asserting his equality with the Father by claiming the Father's ongoing divine work as his own. This implies that his "work" of healing isn't a violation of the Sabbath, but a continuation of God's active, life-sustaining power that never rests.
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Jews are confronting Jesus, likely after he healed a man on the Sabbath, which they saw as a violation of God's law. Jesus responds by asserting that his Father is constantly at work, not resting, and that he, as the Son, also works in the same divine capacity. This statement not only defends his actions but also boldly declares his equality with God, which further fuels the Jews' anger and desire to kill him.
The Jews were furious at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. But Jesus turned their focus to something far greater: God's own work, which never stops.
When Jesus says, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working,' he's making a profound statement. The Sabbath was meant to remind people of God's creation, but the Jews had turned it into a rigid rule about human rest. Jesus counters this by pointing out that God's work—sustaining the universe, governing all things, and acting with providence and mercy—is continuous. It doesn't pause for a day. He’s asserting that his own activity, in healing and bringing life, is a continuation of this divine, ceaseless work. His actions aren't a violation of the Sabbath but an expression of God’s ongoing purpose.
Jesus' words about his Father's work and his own didn't just defend his actions; they ignited the Jews' fury because of what they implied.
The core of the conflict in John 5:17 isn't just about healing on the Sabbath; it's about Jesus' identity. When Jesus declares, 'My Father is working... and I am working,' he's claiming an equality with God the Father. The Jews understood this. They weren't just upset that he broke the Sabbath; they were enraged because he 'called God his Father, making himself equal with God.' Jesus isn't imitating his Father; he's operating in the same divine capacity. His work is not merely sanctioned by God; it is God's work, demonstrating his divine authority and nature.
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patēr · Greek Noun
A term denoting the divine, relational, and covenantal relationship between the first person of the Trinity and the Son. In this context, it asserts Jesus' unique divine sonship and equality with the Father.
Jesus' defense hinges on the continuous, life-giving work of God, challenging the Jewish leaders' rigid interpretation of the Sabbath and asserting His own divine authority and equality with the Father.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishing His covenant with them at Mount Sinai.
c. 1445 BC
The Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Ten Commandments, including the commandment to observe the Sabbath day, a sign of His covenant.
c. 621 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah leads a religious reformation, re-establishing proper worship and adherence to the Law, including Sabbath observance.
586 BC
The Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and destroy the Temple, leading to the exile of many Jews.
c. 538 BC
The Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, marking the end of the Babylonian exile.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, often on the Sabbath day.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Heals a Man at the Pool of Bethesda
Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years on the Sabbath. This leads to immediate conflict with religious leaders.
This passage describes God resting on the seventh day, which is the very basis of the Sabbath observance. Jesus uses God's own 'work' after creation as a precedent for His own ongoing divine activity.
Exodus 20:8-10The Ten Commandments explicitly state the Sabbath command. Jesus' argument here is a direct engagement with this law, reframing the nature of 'work' allowed on the Sabbath in light of God's perpetual involvement in His creation.
Hebrews 1:3This verse speaks of Jesus upholding all things by the word of His power. It strongly parallels Jesus' claim in John 5:17 that He 'works' just as the Father does, highlighting Jesus' active, sustaining role in the universe.
Matthew 12:11-12In a similar instance, Jesus argues that rescuing a sheep from a pit on the Sabbath is permissible because it's right to do good on the Sabbath. This reinforces Jesus' principle that acts of divine mercy and well-being are in line with God's ongoing work.
John 5:19This verse immediately follows, where Jesus elaborates on His work by stating the Son can do nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father doing. This further clarifies that Jesus' 'work' is not independent human action but a divine collaboration with the Father, mirroring His ceaseless activity.
vincentJohn 5:17: "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
WorkethThe discussion turned on work on the Sabbath. The Father's work in maintaining and redeeming the world has continued from the creation until the present moment (ἕως ἄρτι): until now, not interrupted by the Sabbath.And I work (κἀγὼ ἐργάζομαι)Or, I also work. The two clauses are coordinated. The relation, as Meyer observes, is not that of imitation, or example, but of equality of will and procedure. Jesus…
calvinJohn 5:17-19: "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
- But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18. For this reason, therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but likewise called God his Father, making himself equal with God. 19. Jesus then answered, and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son cannot do any thing of himself but what he hath seen the Father do; for whatsoever things he…
Jesus isn't just saying he's working like God; he's asserting his equality with the Father by claiming the Father's ongoing divine work as his own. This implies that his "work" of healing isn't a violation of the Sabbath, but a continuation of God's active, life-sustaining power that never rests.
The Jews are confronting Jesus, likely after he healed a man on the Sabbath, which they saw as a violation of God's law. Jesus responds by asserting that his Father is constantly at work, not resting, and that he, as the Son, also works in the same divine capacity. This statement not only defends his actions but also boldly declares his equality with God, which further fuels the Jews' anger and desire to kill him.
The Jews are confronting Jesus, likely after he healed a man on the Sabbath, which they saw as a violation of God's law. Jesus responds by asserting that his Father is constantly at work, not resting, and that he, as the Son, also works in the same divine capacity. This statement not only defends his actions but also boldly declares his equality with God, which further fuels the Jews' anger and desire to kill him.
"But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”" — Jesus isn't just saying he's working like God; he's asserting his equality with the Father by claiming the Father's ongoing divine work as his own. This implies that his "work" of healing isn't a v…
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Last reviewed October 2026