John
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John 5
John 5
1After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Commentary · verse 1
2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.
2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
Commentary · verse 2
The Greek word "Bethesda" (from an Aramaic origin) meant "house of mercy" or "flowing water."
3In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered.
4
3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Verse 4 proved that there was an angel going to this "pool." This was something the people of this time were aware of and were convinced. Angels are not mythological.
5And a certain man was there, who had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity.
6When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole?
7The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.
5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Commentary · verses 5-8
Jesus spoke a statement where the object of the healing was the subject of the statement.
9And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.
9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Commentary · verse 9
The man immediately was made whole, took his bed, and walked (on the Sabbath). He did not know who Jesus was and did not make a confession of Jesus to be the Messiah. He just did what Jesus said and he was healed. Doing what Jesus said was a statement of faith, however, notice this man had no Doctrine. Having no Doctrine meant he also did not have any bad Doctrine that would have hindered his faith and his healing.
10So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.
10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
Commentary · verse 10
The man was accused of working on the Sabbath. The Law did not say for a person to take up their bed and walk on the Sabbath.
11But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Commentary · verse 11
The man "blamed" Jesus for taking up his bed and walking. The fact the man was healed was being ignored.
12They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.
12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
Commentary · verses 12-13
They wanted to know who said to "take your bed and walk," but he did not know who Jesus was.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee.
15The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
Commentary · verses 14-15
Jesus found the man so that He could encourage him to stay on the right path. The man found out it was Jesus and told the Jews.
16And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
Commentary · verse 16
The Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him because they believed they were defending God's Law regarding the Sabbath.
Critical Event: Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and it became a public issue with the religious leaders in Jerusalem that set the tone for Jesus' final two years of public ministry.
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Commentary · verse 17
Jesus stated that God was His Father and they both work all the time. Remember, people were allowed to do whatever they wanted for six days as long as it did not violate the Law. On the Sabbath, people were only supposed to do what the Law told them to do. Jesus was doing what the Law said to do on the Sabbath: Good.
18For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Commentary · verse 18
Jesus said God was His Father, making Him equal with God. Notice, Jesus Himself did not say He was "equal with God." This was implied by Jesus stating that God was His Father. Jesus did not testify of Himself as God with His words. This statement and the rest of this chapter caused the religious leaders in Jerusalem to actively look for ways to kill Jesus, which caused Jesus to take His public ministry away from Jerusalem.
19Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
19Then 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.
Commentary · verse 19
Doctrine: Jesus did nothing of Himself. Jesus was fully man and fully God. If Jesus did things on earth out of His God Nature (Right and Just), then we could not be expected to do the same things. However, Jesus allowed God to completely direct His actions, which is what we are also able to do through grace: the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.
21For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.
22For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Commentary · verses 20-22
Doctrine: Jesus will be judge, but not yet (Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus is also the source of this eternal life.
23that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
26For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: 27and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
23That 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.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Commentary · verses 23-27
Doctrine: Jesus was fully God and fully man. While on earth, Jesus was always completely Right and always completely Just (His Nature) while having the ability to act apart from this Nature (free will). Jesus is no longer fully man but was and is Right and Just.
28Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
30I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Commentary · verses 28-30
Jesus' judgment was Just because Jesus sought the Will of the Father who, as is Jesus, is always completely Just. Again, Jesus reiterated that God the Father was directing His actions, not His own God Nature.
31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
Commentary · verse 31
We know that if Jesus bore witness of Himself that He would state a fact: a right WHAT. We have seen with John the Baptist that prophets could not facilitate their own purpose and progress, that would be a wrong HOW/WHY. If Jesus bore witness of Himself it would not be true! How would that be possible? Truth must be something more than stating a fact/right WHAT. If truth was only reality/fact, then Jesus would have been saying that He wouldn't have stated a reality/fact if He bore witness of Himself. We know that Jesus wouldn't have stated a wrong fact about Himself, so truth must be something more than reality/fact.
If Jesus bore witness of Himself it would be a wrong HOW/WHY, which would be why it would not be truth. Jesus would have been stating a right WHAT with a wrong HOW/WHY which would have made it not true! Truth is a right WHAT with a right HOW/WHY. Deception is a right WHAT with a wrong or no HOW/WHY. Jesus would have been a deceiver if He bore witness of Himself.
Doctrines on this passage
32It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth.
32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
Commentary · verses 32-33
Doctrine: Jesus stated that John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus.
34But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved.
35He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
36But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Commentary · verses 34-36
Doctrine: God bore witness of Jesus. Jesus' actions proved that He was the Son of God. The works Jesus did could only have come from God, which meant God bore witness of Him and that the Father sent Him.
37And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
Commentary · verse 37
Doctrine: The Father and John the Baptist were the two who bore witness of Jesus.
38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.
38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Commentary · verse 38
We will have the Father's Word live in us if we believe in Jesus.
39Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; 40and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.
39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Commentary · verses 39-40
Doctrine: We need to know God's Word and have fellowship with Jesus, truth and Spirit. The "scriptures" Jesus was referring to was the Old Testament. The words in the Old Testament bear witness of Jesus, whom we ought to receive so we will have eternal life.
41I receive not glory from men.
42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves.
43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?
41I receive not honour from men.
42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Commentary · verses 41-44
Jesus wondered why people followed those who were prideful and glorified themselves instead of following those who were humble and were glorified by God.
45Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope.
45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
Commentary · verse 45
Doctrine: Jesus did not come to accuse. Moses accused the unbelieving Jews because Moses wrote of Jesus.
46For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Commentary · verses 46-47
Doctrine: If you do not believe God's written Word, you will not believe Jesus' spoken word.
This was the Passover feast that marked the end of Jesus' first year of public ministry also known as His Year of Introduction. This second year of Jesus' public ministry was known as His Year of Popularity.