The Son’s Authority to Judge
TRANSLATION
(19) Jesus answered the Jews, “Truly I tell you that the Son can do nothing on his own. He can only do that which he sees the Father doing because whatever the Father does the Son does also. (20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he is doing. And he will show him even greater works than these so that you may be amazed. (21) For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to those with whom he is pleased. (22) For the Father judges no one, but has delegated all judgment to the Son (23) so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
(24) “Truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life. He will not be judged but has passed from death to life. (25) Truly I tell you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (26) For as the Father has life in himself, even so he has given the Son to have life in himself. (27) And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. (28) Do not be amazed at this, for the time is coning when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice (29) and come out. Those who have done what is good will rise to live, but those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”
OBSERVATIONS
This opening segment of Jesus’ first extended discourse in the Gospel of John is filled with significant repetitions which point us to its essential message. “Father” appeared ten times (in vss. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, & 26). “Son” is also found ten times (in vs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, & 27). The cognates “do/does/doing” (five times in vss. 19 & 20) pointed to the related activities of the Father and Son. Versions of “life/live” are found seven times (twice each in vss. 21 & 24, once in vs. 25 and twice more in vs. 26) along with three uses of life’s opposite “dead/death” in vss. 21, 24, & 25) and then by the repetition of “judges/judgment” (twice in vs. 22 and again in vs. 24). Two more repetitions should be noted: “honor” (four times in vs. 23) and “hear” (twice in vs. 25).
Two related themes emerge in the opening of this discourse. First, Jesus highlighted the perfect harmony between the Father and the Son and the crucial work that the Father has entrusted to the Son. In essence, the Son’s role functions like two sides of a coin. On the positive side, the Son is the giver of life, saving from death all who hear his Word and believe the Gospel. On the negative side, the Son acts as a judge, condemning to death all who do not honor the Father because they do not honor the Son.
OUTLINE
I. The Father and the Son work in perfect harmony. (17-24)
II. The Son grants life to those who believe and judges those who do not believe. (25-29)
IDEA STATEMENT
Working in perfect harmony with the Father, the Son gives life or executes judgment for all humanity.
APPLICATION
Psalm 2, the most detailed of several Messianic psalms, spelled out the relationship of the Father and Son in phrases that anticipated Jesus’ discourse in John 5. The psalm was structured in the form of a drama consisting of four scenes. In the first (vss.1-3), the nations of the earth conspired together to overthrow the rule of God’s Messiah. In the second (vss. 4-6), Yahweh mocked the rulers’ futile plans and proclaimed Messiah’s authority to rule. In the third scene (vss. 7-9), Yahweh spoke directly to the Messiah with these words: “You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.” The Father thus designated the Son as his chosen ruler. In the final scene (vss. 10-12), the psalmist counseled the entire world to submit to Messiah’s rule or suffer the consequences of Yahweh’s wrath.
Here, in John 5, Jesus provided more clarity regarding what the Father plans for the Son to accomplish in his role as the Messiah. These responsibilities fall under two headings: granting eternal life to those who believe and executing judgment on all who do not believe. In one verse Jesus summarized the life-giving ministry the Father has entrusted to the Son (Jn. 5:24). First, he indicated the WHO, namely, “…whoever hears my word.” Then he gave us the WHAT, namely, “…believes him who sent me.” Finally, he showed us what RESULTS, namely, “…has eternal life…does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.”