👉 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from John 5:18. It’s a really complex and important passage about Jesus’s death. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it says: “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “He not only had broken the sabbath…” – This means Jesus did something that angered or upset people. “Sabbath” is a Jewish holiday where they are supposed to rest and be holy. Breaking the Sabbath was a significant act of defiance. “…but said also that God was his Father…” - This is the core of the issue. Jesus then declared, "God is his father!" This is a HUGE claim. “making himself equal with God” – This is where it gets really strange and controversial. Jesus wasn’t just saying he felt like God was close to him; he was claiming a literal equality! He believed he could have the same relationship with God as God Himself. So, what's the big deal? This verse is often interpreted as a challenge to the Jewish authorities who were trying to kill Jesus. They weren’t just angry about breaking the Sabbath; they were trying to use it as a reason to condemn him. Jesus’s declaration that God was his father was a powerful and defiant statement, suggesting he was superior to them all. Why is this important? This verse highlights several things: Jesus's Divinity: It suggests Jesus was more than human – that he possessed divine qualities. His Authority: It showed him a level of authority and power that challenged the established religious order. The Conflict Between Faith and Tradition: This passage shows a tension between Jewish faith (which emphasized God’s special relationship with Moses) and early Christian beliefs about Jesus's divinity. Important Note: It’s important to note that this is a complex and debated topic among theologians and biblical scholars. There are different interpretations of what Jesus meant by "equal." --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Jesus's life and teachings?
