How can Jesus be God when he denies being all-powerful, saying he can do nothing by himself?

The question posed overlooks the essential context of Jesus' statements in John 5 and misinterprets the doctrine of the Trinity. According to Trinitarian belief, the three Divine Persons of God operate in perfect unity, meaning they do not act independently of one another. When Jesus states that he can do nothing by himself, he is not denying his divine nature but rather affirming the relational dynamic within the Godhead. In John 5, Jesus justifies his actions on the Sabbath by asserting that just as God the Father works on the Sabbath, so does he, as the Son. This claim indicates his equality with God, as he possesses the same divine prerogative to work on that day. The Jews understood this claim, which is why they sought to kill him, as he was making himself equal with God. Furthermore, Jesus identifies himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, reinforcing his authority and divine status. His statements reflect the reality of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet unified in their divine essence and actions. Thus, Jesus’ assertion does not contradict his divinity but rather highlights the profound truth of the Christian understanding of God as a Trinity.