John 5
John 5 begins with a miracle in which Jesus heals a sick man who has been ill for 38 years by the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. As a result of this, Jesus enters into deep debate with Jewish religious leaders and explains his authority and your relationship with God the Father.
1verseAfter these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2verseNow in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches.
3verseIn these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water;
4versefor an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
5verseA certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years.
6verseWhen Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7verseThe sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
8verseJesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
9verseImmediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now that day was a Sabbath.
10verseSo the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”
11verseHe answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’ ”
12verseThen they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat and walk’?”
13verseBut he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
14verseAfterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
15verseThe man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16verseFor this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
17verseBut Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
18verseFor this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19verseJesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise.
20verseFor the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21verseFor as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
22verseFor the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
23versethat all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
24verse“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
25verseMost certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live.
26verseFor as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
27verseHe also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
28verseDon’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29verseand will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30verseI can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.
31verse“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.
32verseIt is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
33verseYou have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
34verseBut the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
35verseHe was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36verseBut the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
37verseThe Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
38verseYou don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.
39verse“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
40verseYet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
41verseI don’t receive glory from men.
42verseBut I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.
43verseI have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44verseHow can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45verse“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
46verseFor if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.
47verseBut if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Healing the Sick Man at the Pool of Bethesda (Verses 1-16)
At the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, many sick people gathered. Among them, Jesus approaches and heals the one who had been ill for 38 years. Because this healing took place on the Sabbath, controversy arose, and the Jews accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath regulations.
Jesus’ Authority and His Relationship with the Father (Verses 17-30)
In response to the criticism from the Jews, Jesus calls God “Father” and states that he has authority to carry out God’s work (giving life and executing judgment). This is a crucial passage revealing that Jesus is the Son of God, and because of it the Jews want to kill Jesus even more.
Explanation of the Evidence (Verses 31-47)
Jesus emphasizes that he is not only testifying on his own behalf; John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Scriptures (the writings of Moses) also bear witness to his ministry and identity. He says that although the Jews study the Scriptures to obtain eternal life, what the Scriptures truly testify to is Jesus himself.
Points for Reflection
- Jesus went to a sick man who was in despair and healed him. We can also consider whether our faith has been any different from that person—whether we are waiting and growing frustrated for a long time.
- Jesus declares that he is equal to the Father and reveals that he has authority over life and judgment. We too should think more deeply about who Jesus is and check our faith.
Applying It to Me
- Even today, you can believe that Jesus comes to me in my situation and is the one who brings healing and new strength, and you can look forward to the Lord’s presence.
- When reading the Bible, remember that its essence is to know Jesus more deeply and follow him, and check your life so you do not remain in a merely formal faith.