JOHN 5:19-21 NKJV

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

JOHN 5:19-21 NKJV

John 5:19–47 As a result of the miracle (5:1–9) and the dispute that followed (5:10–18), Jesus gives a lengthy discourse (5:19–47). In it He makes claims (5:19–30), offers proof of His claims (5:31–39), and challenges His opponents (5:40–47).

John 5:19 His first claim is a special relationship with the Father—equality. He explains this further with four statements, each beginning with “for” (5:19b–22). His second claim concerns His relationship to people, that He has the ability to give life and to judge (5:24–30). The Son can do nothing of Himself means that action by the Son apart from the Father is impossible because of the unity of the Father and the Son (v. 17). Whatever He does, the Son also does is a claim of deity and unity with the Father.

John 5:20 The Son does what the Father does (v. 19) because the Father loves the Son. Moreover, because the Father loves the Son, He reveals all to Him. The Father would show the Son greater works than the healing of the sick man. Jesus would raise the dead (v. 21) and eventually judge humanity (v. 22).

John 5:21 the Son gives life: As God raises people from the dead and gives them life, so Christ gives people spiritual life (v. 24). Jesus claimed the same power as God, thus claiming that He is equal with God.