Jesus commands the paralyzed man to "take up your bed and walk" using the same Greek verb (αἴρω) that elsewhere describes carrying one's cross, linking healing with discipleship's costly demands.
John 5
The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda
1After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches.
3In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water;
4for 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.
5A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years.
6When 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?”
7The 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.”
8Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
9Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now that day was a Sabbath.
10So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”
11He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’ ”
12Then they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat and walk’?”
13But he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
14Afterward 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.”
15The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
17But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
18For 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.
The Authority of the Son
19Jesus 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.
20For 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.
21For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
22For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
23that 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.
24“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.
25Most 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.
26For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
27He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
28Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30I 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.
31“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.
32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36But 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.
37The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
38You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.
39“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
40Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
41I don’t receive glory from men.
42But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.
43I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45“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.
46For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.
47But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
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Theme
Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda, but the miracle occurs on the Sabbath, sparking intense controversy with Jewish religious leaders. When confronted about breaking Sabbath law, Jesus claims divine authority by declaring that God is his Father and that he works as the Father works. This leads to a profound discourse on the Son's divine authority, including his power to give eternal life and execute judgment, escalating the conflict that will ultimately lead to his crucifixion.
Context
This chapter marks a significant escalation in opposition to Jesus following the earlier signs in chapters 2-4, setting up the intensifying conflict that dominates the remainder of John's Gospel.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 Setting at Bethesda Pool Jesus arrives in Jerusalem during a feast and encounters the pool where sick people wait for healing.
- 5-9 Healing the Paralyzed Man Jesus heals a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years, commanding him to take up his mat and walk.
- 10-16 Sabbath Controversy Erupts Jewish leaders confront the healed man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath and begin persecuting Jesus.
- 17-18 Jesus Claims Divine Authority Jesus declares that he works as his Father works, leading Jews to seek his death for claiming equality with God.
- 19-30 The Son's Divine Powers Jesus explains his relationship with the Father and his authority over life, death, and judgment.
- 31-47 Witnesses to Jesus' Identity Jesus presents multiple witnesses to his divine identity, including John the Baptist, his works, the Father, and Scripture.
The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda
5:1–5:18 narrative narration solemn
Jesus heals a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. This miracle leads to persecution from Jewish leaders who oppose Jesus for breaking Sabbath law and claiming divine authority.
person_contrast
Jesus commands the paralyzed man to "take up your bed and walk" using the same Greek verb (αἴρω) that elsewhere describes carrying one's cross, linking healing with discipleship's costly demands.
The Authority of the Son
5:19–5:47 gospel speech solemn
Jesus defends his divine authority by explaining his relationship with the Father, his power to give eternal life and execute judgment. He appeals to various witnesses including John the Baptist to validate his claims.
person_contrast
Jesus invokes five distinct witnesses—the Father, his works, John the Baptist, Scripture, and Moses—creating an unprecedented legal defense structure that transforms theological claims into courtroom testimony.
Insights
Jesus invokes five distinct witnesses—the Father, his works, John the Baptist, Scripture, and Moses—creating an unprecedented legal defense structure that transforms theological claims into courtroom testimony.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
John 5:1 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 25:9 Lexical
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be…
John 11:55 Lexical
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify them…
John 2:13 Lexical
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:5 1 reference
John 5:6 2 references
John 5:8 1 reference
John 5:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 19:31 Lexical
Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (…
Mark 2:12 Lexical
He arose, and immediately took up the mat and went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified…
Mark 2:9 Lexical
Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk’?
Luke 14:5 Lexical
He answered them, “Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath d…
John 20:19 Lexical
When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples…
John 5:10 1 reference
John 5:11 1 reference
John 5:17 1 reference
John 5:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 11:3 Lexical
“Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have broken down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.”
John 7:1 Lexical
After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
Philippians 2:12 Lexical
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out…
John 7:18 Lexical
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteo…
John 8:22 Lexical
The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”
John 5:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 16:23 Lexical
“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he…
Matthew 22:46 Lexical
No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mark 15:31 Lexical
Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself…
1 Timothy 6:16 Lexical
He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and etern…
John 5:20 2 references
John 5:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 6:4 Lexical
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the g…
1 Corinthians 15:22 Lexical
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Romans 8:11 Lexical
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead wi…
Romans 4:17 Lexical
As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who…
James 2:26 Lexical
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
John 5:22 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 11:27 Lexical
All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the…
John 8:16 Lexical
Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
John 5:23 1 reference
John 5:24 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 13:48 Lexical
As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life beli…
John 6:47 Lexical
Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
1 John 3:14 Lexical
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remain…
Romans 6:23 Lexical
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:21 Lexical
that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our L…
John 5:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 4:23 Lexical
But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father see…
Romans 13:11 Lexical
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us tha…
John 13:31 Lexical
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.
Revelation 6:7 Lexical
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!”
Revelation 10:4 Lexical
When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things whic…
John 5:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 6:4 Lexical
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the g…
John 3:16 Lexical
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have ete…
John 6:27 Lexical
Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give t…
Romans 5:21 Lexical
that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our L…
Matthew 24:27 Lexical
For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
John 5:29 2 references
John 5:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 19:2 Lexical
for his judgments are true and righteous. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual…
John 7:24 Lexical
Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
John 8:16 Lexical
Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
Revelation 16:7 Lexical
I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.”
Acts 22:14 Lexical
He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice f…
John 5:31 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 8:13 Lexical
The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
John 8:14 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 21:24 Lexical
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
John 19:35 Lexical
He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
3 John 1:12 Lexical
Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is tr…
John 5:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 21:24 Lexical
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
John 8:14 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 19:35 Lexical
He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
John 8:13 Lexical
The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
3 John 1:12 Lexical
Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is tr…
John 5:35 4 references
Lexicals 4
Revelation 18:23 Lexical
The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more…
Luke 12:35 Lexical
“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
Matthew 5:15 Lexical
Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the hou…
Matthew 15:28 Lexical
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed…
John 5:36 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 10:25 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me…
John 1:19 Lexical
This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
John 21:24 Lexical
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
1 John 5:10 Lexical
He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because…
John 1:7 Lexical
The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
John 5:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 15:26 Lexical
“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father…
John 8:18 Lexical
I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
John 1:18 Lexical
No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
1 John 1:2 Lexical
(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with…
John 3:32 Lexical
What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
John 5:38 2 references
John 5:39 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 John 1:2 Lexical
(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with…
Titus 3:7 Lexical
that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
John 11:13 Lexical
Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep.
John 15:26 Lexical
“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father…
John 1:8 Lexical
He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
John 5:41 1 reference
John 5:43 1 reference
John 5:44 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 6:52 Lexical
The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
John 9:16 Lexical
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How…
2 Peter 1:17 Lexical
For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my belo…
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