Jerome H. Neyrey on Jesus being Equal to God in John 5

 

 

Equal to God

 

In John 5 Jesus works a miracle on the Sabbath (5:1-5), which leads to a charge that he “violated the Sabbath” (5:16), which charge prompts an apologetic defense of him and his action (5:30-47). At a later time in the history of the Johannine community, a new controversy develops over the exalted understanding of Jesus by the Johannine group: its confession of Jesus as a divine, heavenly figure. This later controversy is reflected in 5:17-29, where a new charge is brought against Jesus (“he makes himself equal to God,” 5:18), which prompts a new apology (5:19-29).

 

As the following synopsis shows, the new charge in 5:18 is not simply a doublet of the old charge in 5:16. The prosecution by the Jews is heightened (“they sought to kill him”0, and a new and more cogent reason for this is offered (“he makes himself equal to God”).

 

Old Charge (5:16) sinful action: violation of Sabbath	New Charge (5:18) sinful action: blasphemy—he makes himself equal to God
Old Apology (5:30-47) series of witnesses testifying to Jesus’ obedience and sinlessness	New Apology (5:19-29) careful explanation of how God made Jesus “equal to God”

 

The key to understanding the new apology (5:19-29) lies in distinguishing two parts of the new charge against Jesus. Part of it is simply erroneous and must be rejected (“he makes himself”), but part of it is true (“equal to God”) and requires defense and careful explanation.

 

Since Jesus enjoys the same honor as God, the same authority, and the same extraordinary powers, he is undeniably “equal to God.” This equality with God is not Jesus’ vainglorious self-extension; rather it is God’s will and purpose that he be so recognized and honored. Rather to honor Jesus just as one honors God is to dishonor God.

 

In summary, the evangelist rejects the charge that Jesus “makes himself” anything. God loves him, shows him all he does; God gives him all judgment, to have life in himself, to raise the dead and judge them. And God wills that he be honored equally with him. Contrary to the charge of 5:18, the proper statement should be: “God makes Jesus equal to himself.” (Jerome H. Neyrey, Render to God: New Testament Understandings of the Divine [Minneapolis, Minn.: Augsburg Fortress, 2004], 213-14, emphasis added)