Jesus’ Supposed Blasphemy
Posted 4/9/25
John 5:17-18, “Jesus answered them (the Jews), my Father worketh hitherto, and I work. And 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.”
In order to understand the impact Jesus’ words had on the Jewish mind, we have to take ourselves back 2000 years. The Jews understood from Jesus’ words, and in their understanding that whatever was the Father’s work, the Son’s work was the same; showing and proving that He and the Father are one. Not only had Jesus broken the sabbath, but He had also made Himself equal to God. And for both crimes, according to the Jewish law, he must be put to death.
John 19:7, “The Jews answered him (Jesus), we have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
The chief priests of the temple charged Jesus with blasphemy, voting that he deserved to die. Matthew 26:65-66, “The high priest (tore) his clothes, saying, he (Jesus) has spoken blasphemy; which further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.”
As far as the Jews were concerned, and according to the law, Jesus’ words were a capital offence, for saying that whatever things the Father does the Son likewise does. Jesus did his work in the same manner, with the same authority, the same energy and efficacy as the Father. And for this, he was loved by the Father and hated of men.