God is Always Working

Throughout the Bible, we encounter a God who is actively at work in the lives of His people, orchestrating His divine purposes in dramatic and subtle ways. From the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) to the quiet fulfillment of long-awaited promises, such as Abraham and Sarah’s conception of Isaac in their old age (Genesis 21:1-3), Scripture reveals a God whose hand is ever-present. Yet, His timing and methods often challenge human expectations. Mary and Martha, for instance, waited in anguish as their brother Lazarus lay dying, only to witness Jesus delay His arrival until after Lazarus’ death—setting the stage for a greater miracle (John 11:3-6, 43-44). Similarly, Joseph endured slavery and imprisonment before God elevated him to a position of authority in Egypt (Genesis 37-50). These passages underscore a profound truth: God is always at work, even when His actions are not immediately apparent.

For believers who affirm the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, John 5:16-19 offers a critical lens through which to view this divine activity. In this passage, Jesus defends His Sabbath healing by declaring, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17, ESV), a statement that not only incites the Jews’ persecution but also reveals the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. This moment in the Gospel of John is foundational for understanding how God operates through Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of evangelical theology. The passage illuminates the deity of Christ, the unity of the Trinity, and the ongoing work of God in the world—truths that resonate with the Church’s mission to discern and participate in His purposes.

This blog post explores how God is at work in John 5:16-19. Employing the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible, we will conduct a thorough exegetical analysis of the passage, examine its theological implications, and connect it to associated scriptures demonstrating God’s activity. The discussion will be structured with an introduction, a main body comprising exegetical and theological sections, and a conclusion reflecting on its significance for believers today. Through this exploration, we aim to deepen our understanding of God’s work and inspire faith in His sovereign timing and purpose.

Exegetical Analysis

Context and Content of John 5:16-19

John 5:16-19 emerges from a confrontation sparked by Jesus’ healing of a paralytic at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (John 5:1-15). The passage reads:

“And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’ This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise’” (John 5:16-19, ESV).

This encounter occurs within a Jewish context deeply rooted in Sabbath observance, a practice grounded in the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8, ESV). By the first century, the Pharisees had expanded this command with an intricate system of oral traditions, prohibiting numerous activities deemed as “work,” including healing. Jesus’ act of healing and instructing the man to carry his bed (John 5:8-9) violated these traditions, prompting the Jews’ persecution.

Historical and Cultural Background

The Sabbath, a day of rest commemorating God’s cessation from creation (Genesis 2:2-3), was a defining marker of Jewish identity. However, Jewish theology recognized that God’s rest did not imply inactivity. He continued to sustain the universe—causing the sun to rise, granting life, and exercising mercy and judgment. This understanding is reflected in later rabbinic thought, acknowledging God’s ongoing work without violating the Sabbath. Jesus leverages this concept in His defense, aligning His actions with the Father’s ceaseless activity.

The Jews’ reaction—escalating from persecution to a desire to kill Jesus—stems from two charges: Sabbath-breaking and blasphemy. Jesus challenged their legalistic framework by healing on the Sabbath, but His claim to divine sonship intensified their outrage. Calling God “his own Father” (John 5:18) implied a unique, personal relationship that they interpreted as a claim to equality with God, an offense punishable by death under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 24:16).

Linguistic Insights from the Greek Text

A closer examination of the Greek text enriches our understanding:

“Working” (ἐργάζεται, ergazetai): In John 5:17, both “My Father is working until now” and “I am working” employ this present middle indicative verb, sourced from the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed.). The present tense denotes continuous action, suggesting that the Father and Son are perpetually engaged in divine work, unbound by Sabbath restrictions.

“His own Father” (ἴδιον, idion): This adjective in John 5:18, modifying “Father,” emphasizes exclusivity and intimacy. Unlike the general fatherhood of God over Israel (e.g., Exodus 4:22), Jesus’ use of ἴδιον asserts a distinct filial relationship, reinforcing His claim to deity.

“Can do nothing” (δύναται, dynatai): In John 5:19, this verb, meaning “is able” or “has the power,” indicates that the Son’s actions are not merely a choice but an inherent alignment with the Father’s will. The phrase “of his own accord” (ἀφ’ ἑαυτοῦ, aph’ heautou) literally means “from himself,” underscoring dependence not as weakness but as unity.

“Sees” (βλέπῃ, blepē): This present subjunctive verb suggests ongoing perception or understanding, implying that Jesus’ actions mirror the Father’s through a deep, relational discernment.

Interpretation of Key Themes

Jesus’ defense in verse 17—“My Father is working until now, and I am working”—is a theological bombshell. It asserts that His Sabbath healing is not a violation but a continuation of God’s sustaining and redemptive work. The Jews’ intensified hostility in verse 18 reflects their recognition of His claim to equality with God, a claim Jesus does not retract but elaborates in verse 19. His statement, “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing,” reveals a perfect harmony between Father and Son. Every act of Jesus—here, the healing—directly reflects the Father’s will, demonstrating that God is at work through Him.

This passage thus establishes Jesus as both the agent and revelation of God’s activity, a theme that reverberates throughout the Gospel of John. His works are not independent but divinely orchestrated, offering a window into the Father’s heart and purpose.

Theological Discussion

The Trinity and Christ’s Deity

Evangelical theology, rooted in the inerrancy of Scripture, views John 5:16-19 as a foundational text for the doctrines of the Trinity and Christ’s deity. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is understood as three co-equal, co-eternal persons sharing one divine essence. Jesus’ claim to work as the Father works (John 5:17) and His assertion of doing only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19) affirm His equality with the Father in nature and authority.

The Jews’ accusation that Jesus “was making himself equal with God” (John 5:18) is not refuted but substantiated by His words. Evangelical scholar Leon Morris observes, “He was claiming that He partook of the same nature as His Father. This involved equality.” This equality is not a personal identity (modalism) but a relational unity, as Wayne Grudem notes: “The Son and the Spirit are equal in deity to God the Father, but they are subordinate in their roles.” Jesus’ submission to the Father is voluntary, reflecting the economic Trinity rather than an ontological hierarchy.

God’s Work Through Jesus

John 5:16-19 reveals God’s work in the world is channeled through Jesus. His healing of the paralytic exemplifies God’s compassion and power, consistent with the Father’s ongoing activity. This unity of action is echoed in other scriptures:

John 10:30: “I and the Father are one” (ESV), affirming their oneness in essence and purpose.

John 14:9: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (ESV), positioning Jesus as the perfect revelation of God.

Colossians 1:15: “He is the image of the invisible God” (ESV), underscoring His role as the visible expression of the divine.

Hebrews 1:3: “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (ESV), highlighting His identity with the Father’s being.

These passages collectively affirm that Jesus’ ministry—miracles, teachings, and ultimately His death and resurrection—manifests God’s redemptive plan. As F. F. Bruce notes, “The Father shows Him all things that He Himself does” (John 5:20), indicating that Jesus’ works are a deliberate disclosure of God’s activity.

For evangelicals, recognizing God’s work through Jesus has profound implications. It assures believers that God remains active despite apparent delays or hardships. The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus (John 14:16-17), cultivates discernment to perceive this work, as seen in the early Church’s reliance on the Spirit’s guidance (Acts 13:2-4). Just as Jesus mirrored the Father, believers are called to align with God’s will, empowered by the Spirit to participate in His mission.

This perspective contrasts with human impatience. Abraham waited decades for Isaac (Genesis 15:4-5; 21:5), Hannah rejoiced after years of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:27-28), and Joseph’s elevation followed suffering (Genesis 41:41-43). These examples, paralleled by Jesus’ purposeful delay in Lazarus’ case (John 11:6), teach that God’s work unfolds according to His timetable, requiring trust and patience.

Implications for Believers

Recognizing God’s work through Jesus has profound implications. It assures believers that God remains active despite apparent delays or hardships. The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus (John 14:16-17), cultivates discernment to perceive this work, as seen in the early Church’s reliance on the Spirit’s guidance (Acts 13:2-4). Just as Jesus mirrored the Father, believers are called to align with God’s will, empowered by the Spirit to participate in His mission.

This perspective contrasts with human impatience. Abraham waited decades for Isaac (Genesis 15:4-5; 21:5), Hannah rejoiced after years of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:27-28), and Joseph’s elevation followed suffering (Genesis 41:41-43). These examples, paralleled by Jesus’ purposeful delay in Lazarus’ case (John 11:6), teach that God’s work unfolds according to His timetable, requiring trust and patience.

Counterarguments

Some might argue that Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing of his own accord” (John 5:19), suggests inferiority. However, this reflects functional submission, not ontological subordination. Augustine counters this misreading: “In the Trinity, there is no before or after, no greater or lesser” (Augustine, n.d., On the Trinity). The Son’s dependence is a relational dynamic within the Godhead, not a diminishment of His deity.

Others, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, might deny Jesus’ divinity, viewing Him as a created being. Yet, the Jews’ reaction (John 5:18) and Jesus’ “I am” statements (e.g., John 8:58, echoing Exodus 3:14) affirm His divine identity. As Augustine remarked, “Behold, the Jews understand what the Arians do not understand.”

Conclusion

John 5:16-19 unveils a God ceaselessly at work through Jesus Christ, a truth central to evangelical faith. Exegetically, the passage reveals Jesus’ divine authority and unity with the Father, as His Sabbath actions mirror God’s ongoing activity. Theologically, it anchors the Trinity and Christ’s deity, demonstrating that every act of Jesus reflects the Father’s will. Supported by scriptures like John 10:30 and Hebrews 1:3, this text affirms that God’s redemptive work finds its fullest expression in the Son.

For the Church, this understanding fosters resilience and purpose. Like Mary and Martha, we may wait; like Joseph, we may suffer, yet God’s hand remains active. The Holy Spirit equips us to discern His presence, urging us to emulate Jesus by doing what we see the Father doing (John 5:19). This participation—whether in delight, as with Hannah, or through pain, as with Joseph—strengthens our faith and aligns us with God’s eternal plan.

In a world craving instant results, John 5:16-19 calls us to trust God’s timing and sovereignty. As we recognize His work in Jesus and in our lives, we are motivated to stay the course, maintaining a godly perspective that glorifies Him. May we, like the Son, be ever attuned to the Father’s will, serving as vessels of His ongoing work in the world.