John 5:23
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
Study Note
Study Note
Jesus's declaration that 'whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him' grounds trinitarian theology in the logic of representation: the Son fully represents the Father, so that the honor given or withheld from the one is given or withheld from the other. The verse is part of the Sabbath discourse (John 5:17-47) in which Jesus defends his healing on the Sabbath by claiming divine prerogatives — the ability to give life and to execute judgment — that belong to YHWH alone. The Jewish interlocutors understand this as a claim to equality with God (verse 18), and Jesus neither denies the charge nor abandons the claim. The verse has been central to Christian reflection on the inseparability of honor toward the Father and honor toward the Son, with implications for both worship and missiology.
Other Translations
that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
that all may honour the Son according as they honour the Father; he who is not honouring the Son, doth not honour the Father who sent him.
So that all men may give honour to the Son even as they give honour to the Father. He who gives no honour to the Son gives no honour to the Father who sent him.
Cross References
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a …
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise …
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe …
I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and …
Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who …
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart …