John 5:1-24
Is it a fact or just an opinion?
Understanding the difference between the two will reduce misinterpretations and misunderstandings.
When people comment, they often combine facts and opinions in the same utterance. As a viewer, we must learn to detect the difference between facts and opinions, and to respond to each separately and appropriately.
The difference between facts and opinions:
Opinions
Opinions is an expression of personal value or believes, and are often snap judgments. Opinions are non-measurable, and are based on assumptions that can turn out to be false. Assumptions obtained from personal impressions often seem like facts, and may increase distortions and misinterpretations.
An unsolicited opinion usually has a negative effect on people. Those who disagree tend to get defensive or argumentative. This causes communication to break down.
Facts
Facts focus on information and not on people, and this forestalls people’s tendency to assign blame. Factual statements are more likely to lead to argument in a conflict situation. Acquiring the facts can improve one’s credibility, help establish understanding and reduce misinterpretations.
Jesus said
1."My father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
2. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Others reactions
1. It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your math."
2. "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
3. "So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him."
Which part is fact, and which part is opinion?
What argument that Jesus bring when he told them that his father is always at his work?
Until now, nobody doubts that Jews are smart people. Can be assumed that they know that their God control everything, in other words, He is working!
But still, It becomes a reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.