WHY DID JESUS SAY "I CAN OF MINE OWN SELF DO NOTHING"?

 WHY DID JESUS SAY "I CAN OF MINE OWN SELF DO NOTHING"?

Dr. Maxwell Shimba explains:

The Dependence of Christ on the Father – An Expository Study of John 5:30

*John 5:30** states, *"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."** In this verse, Jesus speaks about His dependence on the Father in all He does, revealing the unity of will and purpose between the Son and the Father. This statement invites us into a deeper understanding of the relationship between Jesus and God the Father, particularly how Jesus' mission on earth is perfectly aligned with the Father’s will.

# Context of John 5:30

To understand the meaning of John 5:30, we must first look at the broader context of **John 5**. In this chapter, Jesus performs the healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, an event that sparks controversy with the Jewish authorities. In response to their objections, Jesus delivers a discourse about His authority, revealing His unique relationship with God the Father. This discourse addresses themes of life, judgment, and resurrection, emphasizing that all of Jesus' works are rooted in the will of the Father.

# “I Can of Mine Own Self Do Nothing”

The phrase "I can of mine own self do nothing" (*ou dynamai poiein ap' emautou ouden* – Strong’s G1410, G1683, G3762) expresses Jesus’ complete reliance on the Father in all His actions. The Greek word for "can" is *dynamai* (Strong's G1410), meaning "to be able" or "to have power." Here, Jesus is not saying that He lacks power or ability in an absolute sense, but that He chooses to operate only within the parameters of the Father's will. 

This shows His voluntary submission to the Father’s authority. It’s important to note that Jesus is speaking in terms of His earthly ministry, where His works are done in unity with the Father. This speaks to the doctrine of **kenosis**, as described in **Philippians 2:7**, where Christ "emptied himself" by taking on human form, becoming obedient to the Father's will.

The statement also reflects the eternal relationship between the Son and the Father within the Trinity. Jesus, though fully divine, operates in perfect harmony with the Father, never acting independently or outside the divine will.

# “As I Hear, I Judge”

The next part of the verse, **"as I hear, I judge"** (*kathos akouo krino* – Strong's G191, G2919), emphasizes the basis of Jesus' judgment. The verb *akouo* (Strong’s G191) means "to hear," implying that Jesus’ judgment comes from His perfect communion with the Father. Jesus listens to the Father and acts accordingly, reflecting their unity in purpose and will.

The verb *krino* (Strong’s G2919), meaning "to judge" or "to make a decision," refers to Jesus' authority to pass judgment, as mentioned earlier in **John 5:22**: **"For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son."** This judgment is not arbitrary or independent; it is grounded in divine truth, coming directly from the Father.

# “My Judgment is Just”

Jesus goes on to say, **"and my judgment is just"** (*kai he krisis he eme dikaia estin* – Strong's G1342), indicating that His judgment is always righteous and fair. The Greek word *dikaia* (Strong’s G1342) means "righteous" or "just," highlighting the perfection of Jesus' decisions because they align with the will of the Father. Jesus is not influenced by selfish motives or human weaknesses. His judgments reflect the very righteousness of God.

In **John 7:24**, Jesus also emphasizes this point by saying, **"Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."** Here, He invites His followers to emulate this same kind of righteous discernment that is aligned with God’s truth, rather than superficial appearances.

# “Because I Seek Not Mine Own Will”

The key to understanding why Jesus’ judgment is just comes in the latter part of the verse: **"because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."** The phrase "I seek not mine own will" (*ou zeto to thelema to emon* – Strong's G2212, G2307) reveals the heart of Christ's mission. The verb *zeto* (Strong’s G2212) means "to seek" or "to strive after." Jesus’ primary aim is not to assert His own agenda but to accomplish the will (*thelema* – Strong’s G2307) of the Father.

This complete alignment of wills between Jesus and the Father is a central theme in the Gospels. In **John 6:38**, Jesus says, **"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."** This teaches us that Jesus' life and ministry were driven entirely by His obedience to the Father. 

# Strong’s Concordance Analysis

Breaking down some key Greek terms in John 5:30:

- **Do** (*poiein* – Strong’s G4160): This verb means "to do" or "to make." In this context, it refers to Jesus’ actions, which are entirely in accordance with the Father’s will.

- **Judge** (*krino* – Strong’s G2919): The verb refers to the act of judgment or decision-making. Jesus is appointed by the Father as the Judge of all, as seen in John 5:22.

- **Just** (*dikaia* – Strong’s G1342): This word is used to describe righteousness or fairness, affirming that Jesus' judgments are in perfect accord with divine justice.

- **Will** (*thelema* – Strong’s G2307): Refers to a desire or purpose. Jesus submits to the divine will of the Father, not asserting His own separate will but embracing the Father's purpose for His life.

# Theological Implications of John 5:30

1. **The Unity of the Father and the Son:** Jesus' statement in John 5:30 highlights the perfect unity between the Father and the Son. This mutual cooperation is foundational to Trinitarian theology, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share one divine essence while remaining distinct persons.

2. **Christ’s Obedience to the Father:** Jesus models perfect obedience to the Father’s will, showing His humility and submission. This obedience is later exemplified in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays, **"Not my will, but yours be done"** (Luke 22:42).

3. **The Authority of Christ:** Although Jesus declares that He can do nothing on His own, this does not mean He is powerless. Rather, it points to His voluntary submission and alignment with the Father’s will. All of Jesus' authority comes from the Father, and His judgments are just because they reflect the Father's truth and righteousness.

4. **Judgment and the Role of the Son:** Jesus' role as Judge is not independent of the Father. He exercises judgment based on what He hears from the Father, making His judgments perfectly aligned with divine righteousness. This is crucial for understanding the final judgment described in **John 5:27**: **"And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man."**

# Additional Bible Verses on Jesus' Dependence on the Father

- **John 14:10**: **"The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works."** This verse reinforces Jesus’ total dependence on the Father for both His words and works.

- **John 8:28**: **"I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me."** Again, Jesus emphasizes that His actions and teachings are not independent but are directly from the Father.

- **Hebrews 5:8**: **"Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."** This verse illustrates the human aspect of Jesus’ obedience, even in suffering.

# Practical Application: Walking in the Will of God

The example set by Jesus in John 5:30 calls believers to align their will with God's will. Just as Jesus sought not His own will but the Father's, Christians are called to submit to God's will in their lives. This means seeking God’s guidance in decision-making, trusting in His righteousness, and relying on His strength rather than our own.

As we follow Christ’s example, we are reminded that true power comes not from asserting our own independence but from submitting to the Father’s will. As Jesus declares in **Matthew 26:39**, **"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."**

# Conclusion: The Harmony of the Divine Will

John 5:30 offers profound insight into the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Jesus' dependence on the Father is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of divine unity. All that Jesus does—His works, judgments, and words—flows from the Father's will. This passage invites believers to contemplate the nature of obedience, submission, and the perfect harmony within the Godhead, while also calling us to reflect that same alignment with God's will in our own lives.

Shimba Bible Study Series 

Shalom 

Dr. Maxwell Shimba 

Shimba Theological Institute