John 5:19

17 But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

18 Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

20 The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.

21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
KJV
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
WEB
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise.
ASV
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
DARBY
Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself save whatever he sees the Father doing: for whatever things *he* does, these things also the Son does in like manner.
BLB
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you⁺, the Son is able to do nothing from Himself, if not anything He may see the Father doing; for whatever He may do, these things the Son also does likewise.
ÅB
Jesus svarte da og sa til dem: Sannelig, sannelig sier jeg dere: Sønnen kan ikke gjøre noe av seg selv, men bare det han ser Faren gjør; for det han gjør, det gjør Sønnen likeså;
OTB
Derfor svarte Jesus: "Sannelig, sannelig, jeg sier dere, Sønnen kan ikke gjøre noe av seg selv; han kan bare gjøre det han ser Faderen gjøre, for hva Faderen gjør, gjør Sønnen også.
B1930
Jesus svarte da og sa til dem: Sannelig, sannelig sier jeg eder: Sønnen kan ikke gjøre noget av sig selv, men bare det han ser Faderen gjør; for det han gjør, det gjør Sønnen likeså;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 12:49

    I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.

    Read in context
  • John 8:28

    So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

    Read in context
  • John 14:10

    Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

    Read in context
  • John 10:18

    No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

    Read in context
  • John 5:28–30

    Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice

    Read in context
  • Romans 8:11

    And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

    Read in context
  • John 14:16–23

    And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—

    Read in context
  • Luke 21:15

    For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

    Read in context