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John 5

John 5. Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge. Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel. Ch. 1 Introduction: Prologue and Witness of John Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")

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John 5

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  1. John 5 Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge

  2. Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel Ch. 1 Introduction: Prologue and Witness of John Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs") Theme: Through signs and discourses, Jesus reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save the world, but is rejected by the world. Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility • Christological claims become more explicit. • “The Jews” become increasingly hostile. • Organized around Jewish festivals, which Jesus fulfills: w Sabbath (ch. 5) w Passover (ch. 6) w Tabernacles (ch. 7-8) w Hanukkah (ch. 9-10) Ch. 11-12 Final rejection Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples("Book of Passion/Glory") Ch. 21 Appendix: Appearance in Galilee

  3. Chapter 5Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge Sabbath • Set in Jerusalem during unspecified festival – also Sabbath. • Sabbath was 7th day of rest – rooted in Creation story (even God rests on Sabbath). • Pharisees took very seriously – 39 categories of prohibited labor. • Rabbinic theology: Does God rest on Sabbath? Yes, but not entirely. • God’s work as Creator ceases on Sabbath (Gen. 2:2-3). • God’s work as Judge (providential care and rule over world) continues on Sabbath – as seen in fact that births and deaths occur on Sabbath. • Sabbath-observance was likely a key issue in friction between Johannine community and synagogue.

  4. Third Sign: Healing a Lame Man (5:1-9)Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge • Setting (v. 1-3) a. Pool by the Sheep Gate at Bethesda/Bethzatha/Bethsaida (v. 2). • Has been excavated – just north of temple. • Large public bath; surrounded by 4 porticos; divided by a fifth. b. Gathering place for sick hoping for a cure (v. 3). • V. 4 is later textual gloss; not in best manuscripts. • V. 7 seems to presuppose some such popular belief. • Description of illness (v. 5-7) • Lame man has been ill 38 years. • Jesus takes initiative – asks if he wants to be made well. • Response seems hesitant – utter despair, hopelessness. • Cure: Command to stand, take mat, and walk(v. 8; cf. Mk. 2:9). • Demonstration (v. 9) • The lame man takes up mat and walks—Jesus gives him back his life. • Now we learn it was on Sabbath.

  5. Controversy with “the Jews” (5:9-18)Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge • “The Jews” confront the cured man (v. 9-13). • Charge: violating Sabbath by carrying his mat. • Man shifts blame to his healer but doesn’t know who it was. • Jesus finds the man in the Temple (v. 14-15). • “Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” • Reflects trad. view of illness as punishment for sin (cf. Mk. 2:5, 9-11). • Existence of evil is due to sin in general, but we cannot assume direct connection between particular illnesses and particular sins. • Blind man’s condition is due neither to his sin nor to his parents’ (9:3). • Galileans slaughtered by Pilate and the 18 crushed by falling tower were not worse sinners than others (Lk. 13:1-5). • There is an “illness” worse than paralysis – sin – with greater consequences – separation from God. • Healed man tells “the Jews” it was Jesus who healed him.

  6. Controversy with “the Jews” (5:9-18)Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge • “The Jews” now persecute Jesus for violating Sabbath (v. 16-18). • Jesus’ defense: “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” • Rabbis: God’s work as Judge (providence) continues on Sabbath, as seen in births and deaths on Sabbath. • Jesus’ work on Sabbath is same as God’s – Life-giver and Judge. • Now “the Jews” seek to kill him.

  7. Discourse on Jesus’ Authority (5:19-47)Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge • Unity of Father and Son (v. 19-20). • Son does only what the Father does. • “Parable of the carpenter’s shop” (Dodd). • “Functional unity”: do same works and deserve same honor. • Jesus has no authority independent of God. • His authority comes out of total dependence and submission – one with God in will and purpose (cf. v. 30). • Two works of Father are entrusted to Son (v. 21-23): • Giving life – Jesus’ healings are signs of power to give eternal life. • Pronouncing judgment – occurs in people’s response to Jesus. • Judgment, resurrection, and eternal life (v. 24-30). • Realized eschatology (v. 24-25): resurrection, judgment, eternal life occur now by faith in Jesus. • Future eschatology (v. 28-29): same themes in futuristic language; future consummation. • Link between the two (v. 26-27): Son of Man who will come to judge confronts us now in Jesus.

  8. Discourse on Jesus’ Authority (5:19-47)Jesus on the Sabbath: Life-Giver and Judge • Four witnesses to Jesus’ authority (v. 31-47). • Note trial-like atmosphere – concerned with rules of valid testimony. • Rabbinic tradition considered self-testimony and testimony of one witness invalid (Dt. 19:15). • Jesus denies self-testimony, but claims four witnesses who testify on his behalf: • John the Baptist (v. 33-35) • Jesus’ works (v. 36) • The Father (v. 37-38) • Scripture (v. 39-40) • Accusation of the accusers (v. 41-47).

  9. Pool by Sheep Gate at Bethesda (Bethzatha)

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