Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath making himself a god by calling God his Father.
John 5:30 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.
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
I myself don't have power by myself to make from myself something. Just as I hear, I will separate, and that decision, this one of mine is just because I do not seek that will, that one of mine, instead the will of the one sending me.
We can say a lot by talking about nothing.
This verse has several aspects of "self" hidden in it that are lost in translation. Some see this verse as evidence that Jesus was not Divine. See this article answering that specific question about it. There are many double negatives in this verse that work better in Greek than English, reinforcing the negativity rather than reversing it.
This verse also has a lot of references to "self" that are translated out because they seem redundant. But the repeatition of these references is important. Jesus was drawing a line between "self" and divinity. The word translated as "can" in the KJV means "having power" or "having an ability" in a way that the English word "can" doesn't. Jesus says that he does not have power or ability in his "self." The pronoun translated as "myself" is the pronoun "of/by myself" in the form matching the preposition. Jesus could have said this subtly by using a subjunctive voice, but, instead, he says them explicitly. "Not seeking after my own will" also means "not desiring my own pleasure." The "self" that Jesus is emphasizing is his humanity. It says little about his divinity except that his humanity serves it. Jesus continued this discussion of "self" in the next verse, further minimizing "self."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "can" is not a helping verb but an active verb, "have power" or "have the ability."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "do" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to do."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "judgment" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "will" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "father" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hath" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WF - Wrong Form - The "sent" is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "can" is not a helping verb but an active verb, "have power" or "have the ability."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "do" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to do."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "judgment" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "will" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "father" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hath" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WF - Wrong Form - The "sent" is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "I myself."
can - (WF) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates having an ability or power. It is not a helper verb but the active verb.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the normal word form translated as "of."
mine own self -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as myself.
do -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do," which covers all actions, productive or not. It is not an active verb but an infinitive.
nothing: -- The Greek word translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative nouns. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
as -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
hear, -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
judge: -- The term used here for "judge" is a much more complicated idea. Unlike most words, which Christ uses specifically, he uses this word in a variety of senses simply because no English word corresponds to it precisely. He can mean "judge," "criticize," "decide," "discriminate," and "separate," depending on the context. We try to keep as closely as possible to the primary meaning of "separate" except when it doesn't fit.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
my -- "My" is the regular first-person adjective in Greek indicating possession, so "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." With the article, the sense is "this one of mine." It follows the noun "judgment" emphasizing it.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
judgment -- The Greek word translated as "judgment" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Christ uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means a "turning point," since it is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Only secondarily does it means "judgment" as in a court judgment.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
just; -- The Greek adjective translated as "the righteous" means "observant of rules," "observant of customs," "well-ordered," "civilized," and "observant of duty." It could be translated as "law-abiding."
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
mine own -- "Mine own" is the regular first-person adjective in Greek indicating possession, so "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
will, The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "intent" seems closer to Christ's usage.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
will - The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "intent" seems closer to Christ's usage.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "Father" in the Greek source.
which -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
sent -- (WF) "Sent" is from a Greek verb that means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort." This is the second most common word Jesus uses that is translated as "send out," but this one doesn't have the prefix that has the sense of "out." The form is not an active verb but a participle.
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
By -- The word translated as "by" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the normal word form translated as "of."
myself -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as myself.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "I myself."
can - (WF) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates having an ability or power. It is not a helper verb but the active verb.
do -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do," which covers all actions, productive or not. It is not an active verb but an infinitive.
nothing: -- The Greek word translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative nouns. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
judge: -- The term used here for "judge" is a much more complicated idea. Unlike most words, which Christ uses specifically, he uses this word in a variety of senses simply because no English word corresponds to it precisely. He can mean "judge," "criticize," "decide," "discriminate," and "separate," depending on the context. We try to keep as closely as possible to the primary meaning of "separate" except when it doesn't fit.
only -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "only" in the Greek source.
as -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
hear, -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
my -- "My" is the regular first-person adjective in Greek indicating possession, so "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." With the article, the sense is "this one of mine." It follows the noun "judgment" emphasizing it.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
judgment -- The Greek word translated as "judgment" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Christ uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means a "turning point," since it is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Only secondarily does it means "judgment" as in a court judgment.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
just; -- The Greek adjective translated as "the righteous" means "observant of rules," "observant of customs," "well-ordered," "civilized," and "observant of duty." It could be translated as "law-abiding."
For-- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "sought" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
to -- (WW) The "to" word is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
please -- (WF) The noun translated as "please" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept of "intent" seems closer since the Divine lacks nothing but intends much. It is not the verbal infinitive as translated
myself -- (WW) "Myself" is the regular first-person adjective in Greek indicating possession, so "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." It is not the reflexive pronoun "myself."
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
will - The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "intent" seems closer to Christ's usage.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
him -- (CW) The word translated as "him" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. It is not the common pronoun., "him."
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
sent -- (WF) "Sent" is from a Greek verb that means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort." This is the second most common word Jesus uses that is translated as "send out," but this one doesn't have the prefix that has the sense of "out." The form is not an active verb but a participle.
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
Οὐ [440 verses](conj) Untranslated is ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
δύναμαι [61 verses](1st sg pres ind mp) "Can"is the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities," "to be able," and "to be strong enough."
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
ποιεῖν [168 verses](pres inf act) "Do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do."
ἀπὸ [190 verses](prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Usually takes the genitive object.
ἐμαυτοῦ [15 verses] (pron sg masc gen) ") "Mine" is emautou, which means "of me," and "of myself". -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as myself.
οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "How" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
ἀκούω [95 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I hear" is akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." -
κρίνω [30 verses](1st sg fut ind act ) "I judge" is krino, which primarily means "to separate," "to put asunder," and "to distinguish." It has a lot of other secondary meanings, including "to pick out," "to choose," "to decide" disputes or accounts, "to win" a battle, "to judge" especially in the sense of "estimate," "to expound," or "to interpret" in a particular way.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κρίσις "[26 verses]((noun sg fem nom) "Judgment" is krisis, which means "separating," "distinguishing," "judgment," "choice," "election," "trial," "dispute," "event," and "issue."
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
ἐμὴ [28 verses](adj sg fem nom) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me."
δικαία [21 verses](adj pl fem nom) "Righteous" is dikaios which means "observant of rules," "observant of customs," "well-ordered," "civilized," and "observant of duty." Later it means "well-balanced," "impartial," and "just." As a verb, it means to "set right," "hold or deem right," "claim or demand as a right," "pronounce judgment," "do a man right or justice," "chastise," "punish, and in passive, "have right done one."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
οὐ [440 verses](conj) "Not" is ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ζητῶ , [36 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I seek" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
θέλημα [16 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Will" is the noun, thelema, which means "will" and "pleasure." --
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐμὸν "[28 verses](adj sg fem neut nom/acc) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me."
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θέλημα [16 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Will" is the noun, thelema, which means "will" and "pleasure." -- The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "purpose" seems closer to Christ's usage.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πέμψαντός [39 verses](part sg aor act masc gen) "Which has sent" is pempo, which means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort."
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."