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I'm talking, more specifically, about John 5:18 and John 5:30:

Hereupon therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he did not only break the sabbath, but also said God was his Father, making himself equal to God. — John 5:18 (DRA)

I cannot of myself do any thing. As I hear, so I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of him that sent me. — John 5:30 (DRA)

In one verse, the Jews clearly say that Jesus made himself equal to the Father (God), and in the other, Jesus denies his omnipotence, how could the Trinitarians reconcile them?

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Equality with God:

John 5:18 - The Jews understood Jesus to be claiming equality with God by calling God His Father. Of course, this was a radical claim in a monotheistic culture where God was seen as wholly other and separate from humanity.

John 5:30 - This verse might have been miss characterized. Jesus is not denying His divinity or omnipotence. Let's lay out the argument like this:

Argument:

  1. If Jesus is omnipotent, then He cannot lack power.
  2. Jesus claims to do nothing on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:30).
  3. This claim does not imply a lack of power, but rather a perfect unity of will and action with the Father.
  4. Therefore, Jesus’ statement in John 5:30 does not deny His divinity or omnipotence.

Jesus is saying that He doesn’t act independently, but only does what He sees the Father doing. This is consistent with the concept of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, but one in essence and will.

So, in Trinitarian understanding, these verses are not contradictory. Jesus is equal to the Father in terms of His divine nature (John 5:18), but He submits to the Father’s will in His role as the Son (John 5:30). This is part of the mystery of the Trinity, where there is both equality and distinction between the persons of the Godhead.

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  • Thank you, God bless!
    – user86881
    Commented Aug 10 at 10:53
  • @Christus_Rex My pleasure Christus. Good question and I hope to see more from you. If you haven't already, consider taking the tour to understand how the site works and how it is different than others. Also consider going through the Help Center's sections on asking and answering questions. Take care!
    – Jason_
    Commented Aug 10 at 10:56
  • +1. Good answer.
    – Dottard
    Commented Aug 10 at 11:32
  • @Dottard Thank you. I appreciate it!
    – Jason_
    Commented Aug 10 at 11:33
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    @Christus_Rex It should be noted that years earlier when Jesus was a boy He was in the temple in Jerusalem sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Jesus' parents found Jesus after three days and said, "why have You treated us this way?" And Jeus said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in MY FATHER'S HOUSE?" The whole account is at Luke 2:41-51. I think I too would be upset if my son was missing for three days?
    – Mr. Bond
    Commented Aug 10 at 14:01

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