‏ John 5

Jesus Heals a Man at the Pool of Bethesda

This section tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. The man was waiting at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, hoping for a miracle. Jesus’ act of healing on the Sabbath led to controversy with the Jewish leaders, who questioned both the miracle and Jesus’ authority. The passage shows Jesus’ compassion, his divine power, and his claim to be doing the work of God the Father.

v. 1: After a Jewish festival, Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1 ^a). This shows that Jesus followed the Jewish customs of attending religious festivals. He used these occasions to teach and help people, showing that God’s work can happen at any time.

v. 2: In Jerusalem, there was a pool called Bethesda, near the Sheep Gate. Around this pool were five covered porches (John 5:2 ^b). Many sick people gathered there, hoping for healing. The place was well known for its connection with miracles, and people believed that something special happened at this pool.

v. 3: Crowds of people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed lay in these porches, waiting for the water to move (John 5:3 ^c). They believed that when the water was stirred, the first person to enter would be healed. This shows how desperate people were for hope and healing, and how much suffering there was among them.

v. 4: (Some Bible versions include an explanation here that an angel would come down and stir the water, and whoever entered first would be healed of their disease (John 5:4 ^d). This verse helps us understand why the sick people waited so eagerly by the pool, longing for a miracle.)

v. 5: One man at the pool had been sick for thirty-eight years (John 5:5 ^e). He had waited a very long time, unable to find healing. His situation seemed hopeless, and he probably felt forgotten by others.

v. 6: When Jesus saw the man lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for so long, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6 ^f). Jesus knew the man’s suffering and cared about him. He asked the question to help the man think about his own hopes and to show his readiness to help.

v. 7: The sick man answered, “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me” (John 5:7 ^g). The man explained that he had no one to help him, and he always missed his chance. This shows his loneliness and helplessness.

v. 8: Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8 ^h). With a simple command, Jesus showed his power to heal. He did not need the pool or any special rituals. His word alone was enough to cure the man.

v. 9: At once, the man was healed. He picked up his mat and walked. This miracle happened on the Sabbath day . The healing was immediate and complete. The fact that it happened on the Sabbath led to conflict with the religious leaders, who saw Jesus’ actions as breaking their rules.

v. 10: The Jewish leaders said to the man who was healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat” (John 5:10 ⁱ). Instead of being happy for the man, they were upset that he was carrying his mat on the Sabbath. They focused on their rules instead of the miracle God had done.

v. 11: The man replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’” (John 5:11 ^j). He explained that he was just following the instructions of the one who healed him, showing respect for Jesus’ authority.

v. 12: They asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick up your mat and walk?” (John 5:12 ^k). The leaders wanted to know who had given such an order, because they were more concerned with enforcing their Sabbath rules than celebrating the man’s healing.

v. 13: The man who was healed did not know who Jesus was, because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd (John 5:13 ^l). Jesus often avoided attracting too much attention by quietly leaving after performing miracles.

v. 14: Later, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14 ^m). Jesus cared not just about the man’s body, but also about his soul. He warned the man to turn away from sin, showing that spiritual health is even more important than physical healing.

v. 15: The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well (John 5:15 ⁿ). Now the leaders knew who had performed the miracle. This led to more conflict between them and Jesus.

v. 16: Because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him (John 5:16 ^o). They were angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath and began to oppose him even more strongly.

The Son’s Authority and Unity with the Father

This section explains why Jesus healed on the Sabbath and how he claimed an equal relationship with God the Father. Jesus teaches that he shares God’s work, has authority to judge and give life, and deserves the same honor as the Father. The Jewish leaders are offended because Jesus calls God his Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus also describes the resurrection and his role as the giver of eternal life, and he points to the evidence that supports his claims.

v. 17: Jesus answered the Jewish leaders who were angry about his healing on the Sabbath, saying, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17 ^p). Jesus explained that God the Father is always doing good, even on the Sabbath, and Jesus, as God’s Son, works together with him. Jesus showed that his actions were not against God’s will, but in harmony with it. This statement highlights Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father and his divine authority.

v. 18: Because Jesus called God his own Father and said he was working just like God, the Jewish leaders tried even harder to kill him . They understood that Jesus was claiming to be equal with God, not just breaking Sabbath rules but also making himself equal with the Lord. This was considered a very serious offense by the religious leaders. Jesus’ words made it clear that he claimed to be God’s Son in a special way, and the leaders saw this as blasphemy. This verse shows the growing opposition to Jesus and points to his true identity as the Son of God.

v. 19: Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” . Jesus taught that he and the Father are perfectly united. He does not act on his own but always does what the Father does. This means that Jesus’ miracles and teachings come directly from God.

v. 20: Jesus continued, “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed” (John 5:20 ^q). The Father’s love for the Son is shown in revealing everything to him. Jesus promised that even greater miracles would come, which would surprise everyone.

v. 21: Jesus explained, “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it” (John 5:21 ^r). Jesus has the same power as God to give life, both physically and spiritually. He can raise the dead and give eternal life to those he chooses.

v. 22: Jesus said, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22 ^s). God the Father has given Jesus the authority to judge all people. This means that everyone will stand before Jesus as their judge in the end.

v. 23: Jesus explained, “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him” (John 5:23 ^t). Jesus deserves the same respect and honor as God the Father. If someone does not respect Jesus, they are not truly respecting God at all.

v. 24: Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24 ^u). Jesus promised that anyone who listens to his teaching and believes in God will receive eternal life and will not be condemned. Believers have already passed from spiritual death to real, eternal life.

v. 25: Jesus continued, “Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live” (John 5:25 ^v). Jesus spoke about both spiritual and physical resurrection. People who are spiritually dead can receive new life when they listen to Jesus, and one day, even the physically dead will rise at his command.

v. 26: Jesus said, “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself” (John 5:26 ^w). Just as God the Father is the source of all life, Jesus also has the power to give life. This shows the unique and divine authority of Jesus.

v. 27: Jesus continued, “And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man” (John 5:27 ^x). God the Father gave Jesus the right to judge all people because he is both fully God and fully human—the Son of Man.

v. 28: Jesus warned, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice” (John 5:28 ^y). Jesus said that one day, everyone who has died will be raised at his command.

v. 29: Jesus explained, “And come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned” . At the final resurrection, everyone will be judged by Jesus. Those who have believed and obeyed will have eternal life, but those who have rejected him will be condemned.

v. 30: Jesus said, “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30 ^z). Jesus judges fairly and perfectly, always following the will of God the Father, not acting for his own interests.

Witnesses to Jesus’ Authority

In this section, Jesus continues to answer the Jewish leaders who are angry that he healed on the Sabbath and called God his Father. Jesus explains that his claims are not just based on his own words, but are supported by the testimony of others—especially John the Baptist, his miracles, God the Father, and the Scriptures. He urges the leaders to believe the evidence and warns them about the dangers of unbelief.

v. 31: Jesus says, “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true” (John 5:31 ^aa). He is not saying his words are false, but that, according to their law, one person’s self-claim is not enough. There must be other witnesses to confirm what he says.

v. 32: Jesus explains, “There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true” (John 5:32 ^ab). He is speaking about God the Father, who has confirmed Jesus’ identity by miracles and other signs. God’s witness makes Jesus’ claims trustworthy.

v. 33: Jesus reminds the leaders, “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth” (John 5:33 ^ac). John the Baptist told everyone that Jesus was the Messiah, the Lamb of God (John 1:29 ^ad). The leaders themselves had asked John about Jesus, so they heard this testimony directly.

v. 34: Jesus says, “Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved” (John 5:34 ^ae). Jesus does not need human approval, but he points to John’s words to help the leaders believe and be saved. Jesus wants them to trust him and receive eternal life.

v. 35: Jesus describes John as “a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” (John 5:35 ^af). John helped people find the truth. Many were excited about his message at first, but they did not stay with it long enough to follow Jesus, the true Light of the world (John 1:9 ^ag).

v. 36: Jesus says, “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36 ^ah). The miracles and works that Jesus does are even stronger proof than John’s words. These miracles show that God the Father sent Jesus and that Jesus is doing God’s will.

v. 37: Jesus continues, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form” (John 5:37 ^ai). God the Father has given public testimony about Jesus, for example at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17 ^aj). But the leaders have not really listened or understood.

v. 38: Jesus says, “Nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent” (John 5:38 ^ak). The leaders do not have God’s message in their hearts because they refuse to believe in Jesus, the one God sent.

v. 39: Jesus explains, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” . The Jewish leaders read the Bible carefully, hoping it will give them life. But they miss the point: the Scriptures point to Jesus as the promised Savior.

v. 40: Jesus says, “Yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:40 ^al). Even though the Bible tells about Jesus, the leaders do not want to accept him. They are missing the eternal life that Jesus offers.

v. 41: Jesus says, “I do not accept glory from human beings” (John 5:41 ^am). Jesus does not need praise or approval from people. He seeks only God’s approval, not popularity or human honor.

v. 42: Jesus continues, “But I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts” (John 5:42 ^an). Jesus knows their hearts. He sees that they do not truly love God, which is why they reject him.

v. 43: Jesus says, “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him” (John 5:43 ^ao). Jesus comes with God’s authority, but the leaders reject him. Ironically, they are willing to accept false teachers who do not come from God.

v. 44: Jesus asks, “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44 ^ap). The leaders care more about human praise than about God’s approval, and this keeps them from true faith.

v. 45: Jesus says, “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set” (John 5:45 ^aq). Jesus will not be the one to accuse them; instead, Moses—whose writings they trust—will be their accuser. Moses’ writings point to Jesus as the Messiah.

v. 46: Jesus explains, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” (John 5:46 ^ar). If the leaders truly believed what Moses wrote in the Bible, they would recognize Jesus as the Savior Moses predicted (Deuteronomy 18:15 ^as).

v. 47: Jesus concludes, “But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5:47 ^at). Because the leaders do not really believe the Scriptures, they cannot truly believe Jesus’ message. Their unbelief keeps them from God’s salvation.