1Christ cureth an impotent man at the pool of Bethesda on the sabbath day: 10the Jews raise petty objections, and persecute him for it; 17he justifieth himself by the example of God his Father: 19and asserteth the power and judgment committed unto him by the Father: 31he appealeth to the testimony of John, 36of the Father, 39and of the scriptures: 41he sheweth that his humility caused their rejection of him; 45but that in disbelieving him they disbelieved Moses also.
1AFTER this there was 1a feasta of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
1 This seems to have been the feast of the passover, as is gathered from John 4:35, seeing that between that time and the passover there came no other feast, and the harvest began from the passover, Lev. 23:10; so that this would be the second passover after Christ’s baptism.
a Lev. 23:2; Deut. 16:1.
2Now there is at Jerusalem by the 2sheep market a 3pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue 4Bethesda, having five 5porches.
2 Or, sheep gate; as this place is called, because the sheep, which were used for burnt offerings, were either sold there or brought in through the gate, as being nigh to the temple. See Neh. 3:1, 32, and 12:39.
3 Or, pond. Many think that this was the pool whereof we read in 2 Kings 20:20, wherein the beasts for sacrifice seem to have been washed before they were brought into the temple.
4 That is, an house of outpouring, namely, of waters, because the water was carried by certain conduits into the pool. Or, as the Syriac translation reads, Bethchesda, that is, an house of benevolence, because the sick were here taken care for, and some by this special miracle healed.
5 Gr. galleries, walks, that is, chambers, in which were the sick.
3In these lay a great multitude of impotentb folk, of blind, halt, 6withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
b without strength, invalid
6 Namely, in some members.
4For an angel went down at a 7certain 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.
7 Which, notwithstanding, was unknown to the people.
5And a certain man was there, which had an 8infirmity thirty and eight years.
8 Or, which had lain sick, that is, had experienced.
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 impotentc 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.
c without strength, invalid
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise,d9take up thy bed, and walk.
d Mat. 9:6; Mark 2:11; Luke 5:24.
9 Namely, for a demonstration of God’s grace towards you, and of your perfect cure miraculously wrought by Me. It was otherwise not lawful, without necessity, to bear burdens on the sabbath day, Jer. 17:22, 24, 27; of this Greek word krabbaton see Mark 2 on verse 4.
9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: ande on the same day was the sabbath.
e John 9:14.
10¶The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, Itf is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
f Exod. 20:10; Deut. 5:13; Jer. 17:21; Mat. 12:2; Mark 2:24; Luke 6:2.
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 10conveyed himself away, 11a multitude being in that place.
10 Gr. to slip away secretly.
11 Or, out of the multitude, which was in that place.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sing no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
g Mat. 12:45; John 8:11.
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.
17¶But Jesus answered them, 12Myh Father worketh hitherto,i and I work.
12Christ defends Himself with the example of God His Father, seeing the Jews either had objected to Him or might object, that God Himself rested from His works on the sabbath, Gen. 2:2; Exod. 20:11. Namely, that although God rested from the works of creation, yet nevertheless He still works, even on the sabbath days, in the preservation and government of all creatures.
h John 14:10.
i until now, before*
18Thereforej the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had 13broken the sabbath, but said also that God was 14his Father, making himself equal with God.
j John 7:19.
13 Gr. loosed, namely, according to their opinion.
14 That is, His natural Father, of the same Essence and power, as the Jews this well concluded from Christ’s words. And thus is Christ also called God’s own Son, Rom. 8:32.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Thek Son can do nothing 15of himself, but 16what he seeth the Father do: forl what things soever 17he doeth, 18these also doeth the Son likewise.
k verse 30; John 8:38; 9:4.
15 Namely, without the Father’s power and will, which He has in common with the Father, John 10:30, so that as the Father works all by the Son, so also the Son works nothing but from the Father by the same power.
16 Gr. anything, that is, the same.
l Isa. 54:5; John 10:30; 14:9; 17:5.
17 Namely, the Father.
18 That is, the same work, and by the same Divine power, John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:3.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and 19shewethm him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him 20greater works than 21these, 22that ye may marvel.
19 That is, communicates all His works with the Son, so that the Father works all by the Son, as by a Co-worker with the Father, as appears from that which follows.
m John 1:2; 3:35; 7:16; 8:28; 14:24.
20 Namely, which are related afterward, verses 21, 22.
21 Namely, these and similar cures.
22 Or, so that ye shall marvel.
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22For the Father 23judgeth no man, butn hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 Namely, alone, without the Son; but judges and governs all things by the Son, John 3:35 and 17:2.
n Mat. 11:27; John 3:35.
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. Heo that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
o 1 John 2:23.
24Verily,p verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, 24hath everlasting life, and shall not comeq into 25condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
p John 3:18; 6:40, 47; 8:51.
24 That is, has the beginning and firm assurance thereof, Rom. 8:24; Eph. 2:6; 1 John 3:2.
q Luke 23:43.
25 Gr. judgment, that is, condemnation.
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, 26The hour is coming, and now is, whenr27the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that 28hear shall 29live.
26 That is, the time, namely, that men in greater multitude and with more power, by the preaching of the Gospel, shall be raised up from the death of sin into a spiritual life.
r Eph. 2:1, 5; 1 Tim. 5:6.
27 That is, they who are spiritually dead, through trespasses and sins, Eph. 2:1, 5.
28 Namely, so that they have also embraced it by faith, John 1:12.
29 That is, obtain a new spiritual life, which is called the first resurrection, Rev. 20:6. See of this spiritual life, Rom. 6:4; Gal. 2:20.
26For as the Father hath 30life in himself; so hath he 31given to the Son to have life in himself;
30 That is, the Divine Essence, Which is Life in Itself, and the Cause and Fountain of life in all. See Psalm 36:9.
31 Namely, the same Divine Essence by the eternal generation of the Father, Psalm 2:7; Micah 5:1.
27And hath given him authority to execute 32judgment also, 33because he is the Son of man.
32 Gr. to do judgment, that is, to govern all things with power of life and death, and especially at the last day, Mat. 28:18; Rom. 14:9; Rev. 1:18.
33 That is, because He, having assumed the human nature into the unity of His Person, is appointed by God for a Judge and Mediator, and shall also, as Man, execute the same office, Dan. 7:13; John 17:2; Acts 10:42 and 17:31.
2834Marvel not at this: for the hour 35is coming, ins the which all that are in the graves shall hear 36his voice,
34 Namely, as if I would ascribe too great things to Myself. For, I will do greater things yet, namely, raise up all the dead, as follows.
35 That is, shall come.
s 1 Thes. 4:16.
36 Of this voice see 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thes. 4:16.
29Andt shall come forth; they 37that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection 38of damnation.
t Dan. 12:2; Mat. 25:34, 46.
37 See hereof Mat. 25:46.
38 Gr. of judgment.
30I can 39of mine own self do nothing: as I 40hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; becauseu I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
39 That is, without the power and will of the Father, which I have in common with Him, as also the entire Divine Essence.
40 Namely, from the Father, that is, as the Father gives example and commands Me.
u John 6:38.
31Ifv41I bear witness of myself, my witness is 42not true.
v John 8:14.
41 Namely, alone.
42 That is, you might doubt thereof. For, otherwise Christ’s testimony is in itself always true and to be received, see John 8:14.
32¶There isw43another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
w Isa. 42:1; Mat. 3:17; 17:5.
43 Namely, My Father. See verse 37.
33Yex sent unto John, and he bare witness 44unto the truth.
x John 1:15, 19, 27.
44 Namely, concerning Me.
34But I receive not testimony 45from man: but these things I say, 46that ye might be saved.
45 Namely, as if I needed it for Myself.
46 Namely, if you believe John’s testimony.
35He was a burning and a 47shining light: and ye were willing for a 48season to rejoice 49in his light.
47 Or, radiating, namely, in doctrine and life.
48 Gr. an hour, that is, a short while.
49 That is, were willing to embrace his doctrine with joy.
36¶Buty I have greater witness than that of John: forz50the 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.
y 1 John 5:9.
z John 10:25.
50 That is, miracles, as John 10:37.
37Andaa the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne 51witness of me. 52Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, norab seen his shape.
aa Mat. 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; John 1:33; 6:27; 8:18; 2 Peter 1:17.
51 Namely, when I was baptized by John. See Mat. 3 on verse 17.
52 That is, albeit that you boast much of this, that your fathers have heard God’s voice and seen Him in certain manifestations, notwithstanding, you do really show that you have neither heard Him or seen Him, that is, that you have no true knowledge of Him and His Word, forasmuch as you do not believe in Me, His Son.
ab Exod. 33:20; Deut. 4:12; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 4:12.
38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 ¶ 53Searchac the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have 54eternal life: and theyad are they which testify of me.
53 Or, Ye search.
ac Isa. 34:16; Luke 16:29; Acts 17:11.
54 That is, that the way to obtain eternal life is taught and set forth in the same, which was a good opinion.
ad Deut. 18:18; Luke 24:27; John 1:46.
40And ye will not come 55to me, that ye might have life.
55 That is, not believe in Me.
41I receive not 56honour from men.
56 Gr. glory, that is, I say this not of ambition, but for My Father’s honor and your salvation.
42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43I am come 57in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if 58another shall come 59in his own name, him ye will receive.
57 That is, appointed and sent by the Father.
58 Namely, false teacher or false christ. See Mat. 24:5, 24; Acts 5:36.
59 That is, intruding himself without being sent of God.
44Howae can ye believe, which 60receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh 61from God only?
ae John 12:43.
60 That is, seek.
61 Or, from the only God, namely, that by true faith you might become His children and heirs, John 1:12.
45Do not think that I will 62accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even 63Moses, 64in whom ye trust.
62 Or, impeach, that is, that I shall need to accuse you.
63 Or, he that accuseth you, namely, Moses, that is, the writings of Moses, Luke 16:29.
64 That is, in which writings you trust to find eternal life. See verse 39.
46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: foraf he wrote of me.
af Gen. 3:15; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; Deut. 18:18.
47But if ye believe not 65his writings, how shall ye believe my 66words?
65 Namely, which you esteem so highly.
66 Namely, which you regard so little.