1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For 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.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When 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?
7 The 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.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward 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.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And 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, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore 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.
19 Then 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.
20 For 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.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That 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.
24 Verily, 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.
25 Verily, 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.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I 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.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36 But 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.
37 And 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.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Chapter 5 of the Book of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a rich narrative that provides a deep insight into the divinity and authority of Jesus Christ. This chapter comprises 47 verses and is divided into three main sections: the healing at the pool, the controversy about the Sabbath, and Jesus' equality with God. The chapter provides a deeper understanding of Jesus' divine character, His role as the Son of God, and His relationship with God the Father. It also explores themes of healing, faith, obedience, and the significance of the Sabbath.
The chapter begins with Jesus going up to Jerusalem for a Jewish feast. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool called Bethesda, where a multitude of sick people would lie, waiting for the water to be stirred. It was believed that an angel would occasionally descend and stir the water, and the first person to step in after the stirring would be healed of whatever disease they had. Among them was a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there, He asked him if he wanted to be healed. The man explained that he had no one to help him into the pool when the water was stirred. Jesus then told the man to rise, take up his bed and walk, and immediately the man was healed.
This miracle performed by Jesus is a testament to His divine power and authority. It demonstrates His ability to heal and transform lives, providing a physical representation of the spiritual healing that He offers. It also highlights the theme of faith and obedience, as the man had to believe in Jesus' words and act upon them to receive his healing.
The healing at the pool caused a controversy because it was performed on the Sabbath, a day on which the Jews were forbidden to work according to the Mosaic Law. When the Jews saw the healed man carrying his bed, they accused him of breaking the Sabbath. The man explained that the one who had healed him had told him to do so. When they discovered that it was Jesus who had performed the healing, they began to persecute Him.
Jesus responded to their accusations by saying, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17, KJV). This statement not only defended His actions but also declared His equality with God, which further incensed the Jews. They sought to kill Him not only for breaking the Sabbath but also for making Himself equal with God.
This section of the chapter brings into focus the theme of the Sabbath and its significance. It demonstrates that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, and that doing good on the Sabbath is not a violation of God's law. Jesus, by healing on the Sabbath, showed that mercy and compassion supersede legalism.
In response to the Jews' hostility, Jesus gave a profound discourse about His relationship with God the Father. He stated that the Son can do nothing of Himself, but only what He sees the Father do. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does in like manner. This statement further affirms Jesus' divinity and His inseparable unity with the Father.
Jesus went on to explain that the Father has given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man. He also spoke about the resurrection of the dead, stating that those who hear His voice will live. He declared that those who have done good will rise to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
These declarations by Jesus provide a clear understanding of His divine authority and His role as the judge of all mankind. They underscore the theme of resurrection and eternal life, and the importance of faith in Him for salvation. They also emphasize the need for righteousness and obedience to God's commandments.
The chapter concludes with Jesus addressing the unbelief of the Jews. He pointed out that they have neither heard God's voice nor seen His form, and they do not have His word abiding in them, for they do not believe the one whom He has sent. Jesus said that if they believed Moses, they would believe Him, for Moses wrote about Him. But if they do not believe Moses' writings, how will they believe His words?
Jesus also referred to the testimonies about Him. He said that He has a testimony greater than John's (referring to John the Baptist), and the works that the Father has given Him to accomplish bear witness about Him. Furthermore, the Father who sent Him has Himself borne witness about Him.
In these statements, Jesus asserts the validity and truth of His teachings, and challenges the Jews' understanding of the scriptures. He emphasizes that belief in Him is central to understanding God's word and receiving eternal life. This highlights the themes of belief, revelation, and the authority of Jesus' teachings.
Chapter 5 of the Book of John is a powerful narrative that presents Jesus as the divine Son of God, who has authority over life and death, and who provides spiritual healing and eternal life to those who believe in Him. It challenges traditional interpretations of the Sabbath and emphasizes the importance of compassion and mercy over legalistic observance of the law. It also underscores the significance of faith, obedience, and righteousness, and the necessity of understanding and accepting Jesus' teachings for salvation.
This chapter provides a deeper understanding of the nature and character of Jesus, His relationship with God the Father, and His mission in the world. It encourages us to reflect on our understanding of God's word, our faith in Jesus, and our commitment to living according to His teachings.
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