Orthodox rabbis see John 5 as a problematic text

 

Orthodox rabbis see John 5 as a problematic text, as they believe Jesus is misinterpreting the Jewish Sabbath and his role in relation to it. Rabbis argue that the Sabbath is a holy day of rest, commanded by God in the Torah, and that Jesus' actions and teachings are a violation of this commandment.

In John 5, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and claims that he is the Lord of the Sabbath, arguing that his actions are in line with God's will. Orthodox rabbis reject this interpretation, believing that Jesus is putting himself in place of God and undermining the authority of the Torah.

In contrast, Christians see John 5 as a pivotal text that establishes Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Lord of the Sabbath. They interpret Jesus' actions as a fulfillment of the Sabbath feast, arguing that he is the ultimate rest and redemption that the Sabbath symbolizes.

Christian interpreters often see Jesus' statement "My Father is always working, and so am I" (John 5:17) as a reference to his divine nature and his role in the divine plan of salvation. They believe that Jesus is the one who gives true rest and redemption, and that his teachings and actions are a fulfillment of the Sabbath commandment.

Orthodox rabbis, however, reject this Christian interpretation, arguing that it is a misreading of Jewish scripture and tradition. They emphasize that the Sabbath is a holy day of rest, not a symbol of redemption, and that Jesus' actions and teachings are a violation of this commandment.

In conclusion, Orthodox rabbis and Christians have fundamentally different interpretations of John 5. While rabbis see Jesus as misinterpreting the Sabbath and undermining the authority of the Torah, Christians see him as fulfilling the Sabbath feast and establishing his identity as the Son of God. These differing interpretations reflect deeper theological and hermeneutical differences between Judaism and Christianity.