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.
THE SURROUNDING PASSAGE
John 5:19 in context
John 5:16–22
16
For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
18
For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19
Selected verse
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.
20
For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
22
For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
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