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John5

King James Version · Public Domain

1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

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.

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.

9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

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.

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.

16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

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.

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.

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.

38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

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.

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?

45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

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?

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 5.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The cure at the pool of Bethesda. (1–9). The Jews' displeasure. (10–16). Christ reproves the Jews. (17–23). Christ's discourse. (24–47).

vv1-9

We are all by nature impotent folk in spiritual things, blind, halt, and withered; but full provision is made for our cure, if we attend to it. An angel went down, and troubled the water; and what disease soever it was, this water cured it, but only he that first stepped in had benefit. This teaches us to be careful, that we let not a season slip which may never return. The man had lost the use of his limbs thirty-eight years. Shall we, who perhaps for many years have scarcely known what it has been to be a day sick, complain of one wearisome night, when many others, better than we, have scarcely known what it has been to be a day well? Christ singled this one out from the rest. Those long in affliction, may comfort themselves that God keeps account how long. Observe, this man speaks of the unkindness of those about him, without any peevish reflections. As we should be thankful, so we should be patient. Our Lord Jesus cures him, though he neither asked nor thought of it. Arise, and walk. God's command, Turn and live; Make ye a new heart; no more supposes power in us without the grace of God, his distinguishing grace, than this command supposed such power in the impotent man: it was by the power of Christ, and he must have all the glory. What a joyful surprise to the poor cripple, to find himself of a sudden so easy, so strong, so able to help himself! The proof of spiritual cure, is our rising and walking. Has Christ healed our spiritual diseases, let us go wherever he sends us, and take up whatever he lays upon us; and walk before him.

vv10-16

Those eased of the punishment of sin, are in danger of returning to sin, when the terror and restraint are over, unless Divine grace dries up the fountain. The misery believers are made whole from, warns us to sin no more, having felt the smart of sin. This is the voice of every providence, Go, and sin no more. Christ saw it necessary to give this caution; for it is common for people, when sick, to promise much; when newly recovered, to perform only something; but after awhile to forget all. Christ spoke of the wrath to come, which is beyond compare worse than the many hours, nay, weeks and years of pain, some wicked men have to suffer in consequence of their unlawful indulgences. And if such afflictions are severe, how dreadful will be the everlasting punishment of the wicked!

vv17-23

The Divine power of the miracle proved Jesus to be the Son of God, and he declared that he worked with, and like unto his Father, as he saw good. These ancient enemies of Christ understood him, and became more violent, charging him not only with sabbath-breaking, but blasphemy, in calling God his own Father, and making himself equal with God. But all things now, and at the final judgment, are committed to the Son, purposely that all men might honour the Son, as they honour the Father; and every one who does not thus honour the Son, whatever he may think or pretend, does not honour the Father who sent him.

Cross References

John 5
v18John 10:30thematic

Explicitly clarifies Christ's claim of equality and unity with the Father, which Jews sought to punish.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v29Daniel 12:2allusion

Direct Old Testament background for the dual resurrection of life and resurrection of damnation/contempt.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

The prime messianic prophecy written by Moses, predicting the Prophet whom the people must hear.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2Nehemiah 3:1allusion

Establishes the location of the pool near the 'sheep gate' (sheep market) rebuilt by Eliashib.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Jeremiah 17:21thematic

The Old Testament Sabbath law regarding carrying burdens, which the Jews accused the healed man of breaking.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v27Daniel 7:13allusion

The Son of man receiving authority and dominion to execute judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v44Romans 2:29thematic

Contrasts receiving praise from men with seeking the praise that comes from God alone.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v44John 12:43thematic

Parallel diagnosis of unbelief: loving the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v47Luke 16:31thematic

Confirms Christ's principle: if they do not hear Moses, they will not be persuaded by miracles.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

The Law commanding Jewish men to go up to Jerusalem for the major annual feasts.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v8Matthew 9:6thematic

Parallel command to 'rise, take up thy bed, and walk' demonstrating immediate divine authority to heal.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v18John 10:33thematic

Parallel controversy where the Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy for making Himself God.

Supported by John Calvin

v19John 14:9thematic

Demonstrates the perfect operational unity where seeing the Son's work is seeing the Father's work.

Supported by John Calvin

v20Matthew 3:17thematic

Verbal echo of the Father's love for His Son and showing Him all things.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v24John 3:36thematic

Believing in the Son grants immediate possession of everlasting life.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v25Ephesians 2:1thematic

Spiritual quickening of those dead in trespasses and sins hearing His voice.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v26John 1:4thematic

Parallels the Son having inherent life in himself as the Source of life.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v33John 1:19-27thematic

The historical record of the Jews sending to John and his witness to Christ.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v39Luke 24:27thematic

Christ expounding in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v39John 5:46thematic

Moses wrote of Christ, illustrating how Scriptures testify of Him.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v41John 8:54thematic

Christ reiterates that His own self-honor is nothing; the Father is the One who honors Him.

Supported by John Calvin

v43Matthew 24:5thematic

Fulfillment of Christ's warning that the Jews would reject Him but receive false messiahs.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v45Romans 2:17-29thematic

Exposes the hypocrisy of resting and trusting in the Law while failing to keep it.

Supported by John Calvin

v46John 1:45thematic

Philip's confession matches Christ's claim: Moses in the Law and the prophets wrote of Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v46Luke 24:27thematic

Christ's post-resurrection practice of expounding things concerning Himself beginning at Moses.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v9Matthew 12:10thematic

Another instance of Sabbath controversy sparked by Jesus healing on the Sabbath day.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v9John 7:23thematic

Jesus directly references this specific Sabbath healing of Bethesda in later defense.

Supported by JFB

v10Luke 13:14contrast

Shows the typical ruler-of-the-synagogue outrage over healing performed on the Sabbath day.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v14John 8:11thematic

Parallel solemn warning by Jesus to 'sin no more' after experiencing His saving mercy.

Supported by Matthew Henry

The last Adam was made a quickening spirit, raising up the dead.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The Father's divine prerogative to kill and make alive, shared by the Son.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v22Acts 17:31thematic

God will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He ordained.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v32John 8:18thematic

The Father serves as the second witness alongside the Son's self-testimony.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v36John 10:38thematic

The works of Christ bear witness of his union with the Father.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v37John 1:18thematic

No man has seen God at any time; the Son declares Him.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v37Matthew 3:17thematic

The Father's audible, direct witness to His beloved Son at baptism.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole