Chapter 5 introduction
As we finished chapter 4 we saw Jesus in Galilee. This nobleman of Capernaum made a fairly long journey to come to Jesus and plead for the healing of his son. This man had faith. He knew Jesus could heal but his faith was somewhat limited. He thought Jesus had to make this journey and be in the presence of his son for him to be healed. Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your son lives.” Jesus gave the words this man longed to hear. They were words that relieved him from his sorrow and grief. They were life changing words, not just for him but for his son as well.
There was saying in Jesus' day that said ‘The Black Camel of Grief kneels at everyone's tent.’ It’s an interesting way to communicate that truth. We will all experience sickness, grief and sorrow. Bad things happen in this sin-fallen world. While it’s good to know Jesus who rules sovereign, He is far more than just someone who can chase away the black camel.
In this chapter we see the Black Camel again. We also see the sovereignty of God. Then by the end we will see the bigger picture.
John 5:1-7
The chapter begins with “After this” (meta touta) which is a transition making it sequential and linked to the past. Jesus went up to Jerusalem to the a feast of the Jews.
There were three major feasts that the Jews made a trip to Jerusalem to celebrate. These would be Passover, Feast of weeks and feast of booths. We don't know which feast this is and it really isn't critical to know, but it was what drew Jesus and many others to Jerusalem. Notice Jesus went "up to Jerusalem" even though he was traveling south. No matter where one was, the trip to Jerusalem was "up" indicating the elevation change but maybe also indicating a place of spiritual importance.
The sheep gate was in the north eastern part of the city wall. Through the years, it's also been called St. Stephen’s Gate, Lions’ Gate and St. Mary’s Gate. This gate was just north of the NE corner of the temple mount. This gate was used to bring sheep into the temple for sacrifice.
Near this gate was a pool that was called Bethesda. Bethesda means house of mercy. You can go to Jerusalem today and visit what archeologists believe is the remains of this pool and its porches.
The pool was fed from an underground spring that would bubble up from time to time. The culture saw spirits in the water, on the land, in the field and on the mountain. Everything was spirit. They believed in healing, blessing, prosperity and much more was available from these spirits. The thought of the day was that if one entered the water when it was being stirred, you could be healed. Due to this, a great multitude of sick, blind, lame and paralyzed lay around the pool awaiting the stirring.
Verse 4 is not found in the earliest texts. This verse shows up in KJV, NKJV and NASB with notes. This verse is not included in the NIV or ESV because they were translated from the earliest manuscripts discovered much later. The earliest manuscripts were written closer to the time of the original and therefore considered more reliable. The verse added was thought to be a clarifying marginal note that finally made it into the text.
During the time of feast there was probably many more, all of them seeking healing.
As this man in introduced in verse five, we see another divine appointment playing out. What brought Jesus to this pool in this city at this time? It was this man? He was a ‘certain’ man, given no name and no manner that we can determine why he was chosen by the Lord from among the many. He had been sick for 38 years – that was essentially a lifetime.
His hope of being healed was found only in the pool, in the stirring and his ability to take advantage of it. In reality, the man had no hope of ever being healed until Jesus came to him.
When Jesus came to him, He asked the man if he wanted to be healed. The man had probably long since given up on the idea. His response revealed his defeat, there was no one to put him in the water. He didn’t respond yes but instead gave the excuse for why he remained lame. When the water was stirred and he attempted to get to the water, another stepped in before him.
John 5:8-9
This man’s life had been spent staring at the waters, watching for the stirring and the competing with others to get there first. For 38 years, his only hope had been this strange belief about healing waters. Then this man stepped among all those who were doing the same and told him to get up and go home.
Imagine the response. At first, he probably looked at Jesus as if he were nuts. Yet he probably felt muscle and nerves and tissue regenerating and strengthening at the command of Jesus. We don’t know exactly what his infirmity was, but it was a physical ailment that kept him down, preventing anything resembling normal life. The man was immediately made physically well, but I bet it took a few minutes for his mind to grasp the idea. This man took up his bed from the porch and he walked, apparently for the first time in 38 years.
Everyone there had to have known this guy and his story. Every day, it was probably a very similar crowd, all seeking hope in folklore. Why did Jesus pick this man? It doesn’t say he had faith or belief in God. Yet, by sovereign choice, Jesus went to him. We might say the Living Water did what the supposed healing waters could not. John has created a theme as we saw Jesus replace the water with wine and Living water for the water at Jacob’s well.
Why is the 38 years important enough to include? It is interesting to note that there is only one other place in the bible where 38 years is found – the number of years in the wilderness. For 38 years God’s people were in the wilderness because of their unbelief. Did John intend for us to see a connection? It's thought provoking that this man was among the sick, blind, lame and paralyzed for 38 years. This pool of water with is healing powers was the wisdom of the day. This man trusted in them, yet, his belief had done nothing for him.
We can all apply this story to our life. As unbelievers we are among the spiritually sick, blind, lame and paralyzed. We don't have the ability to make it to the pool to cleanse ourself of our sin and be healed – we need the healing that Christ offers. In this case, we can say that only came when all hope in other things was lost. We know we must die to ourself, as this man thought he was as good as dead in his helpless condition.
All this happened on the Sabbath.
John 5:10
The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week when Jews were supposed to abstain from work. The Jews assumed that carrying this mat was work and therefore called this man out for working on the Sabbath. The Jews definition of ‘work’ had included carrying anything at all. They had created an extensive definition breaking work down into 39 types of behaviors that were forbidden. The biblical law forbade work on the Sabbath, but did not define work.
This was a serious accusation brought against the man. He had just escaped 38 years of bondage to infirmity, now he was facing charges for the first time he rose up to walk.
In the wilderness, a man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath. This was reported to Moses who inquired with the Lord on dealing with him.
35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
NKJV; Numbers 15:35-36; 1982, Thomas Nelson
The Lord instructed Jeremiah to prophesy to the Jews at the gates of Jerusalem.
Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.
NKJV; Jeremiah 17:20-23; 1982, Thomas Nelson
John 5:11-16
The man’s defense to the Jews was that this man told him to. He was just doing what he was told. If the man had the authority to heal, it seemed logical to heed the command to carry your mat home. The man essentially claims that Jesus led him to sin. The Jewish leadership wanted to know who this man was. The man didn’t know as Jesus disappeared into the multitude of people (it was feast time with lots of extra folks in Jerusalem).
Jesus found the man in the temple. He had used his new strength and health to walk to the temple. He may have been worshiping, possibly for the first time. He certainly had much to be thankful for and rejoice over. Jesus made three points to him.
- He was made well.
- Sin no more.
- Sin could bring worse consequence.
What a fitting picture to encounter Jesus at the temple. We don’t see this man giving thanks directly to Jesus even though the Lord had given him a new lease on life. With this new lease, he was instructed to use it wisely and keep himself from sin. The implication is that sin was at the source of his affliction. To return to that sin or live a life characterized by sin was to abuse the grace and mercy extended to him. There was a right response to his healing. This would be the wise choice verses the possible worse consequence of sin.
The man now had a testimony. He knew it was Jesus who made him well. The man left Jesus and went straight to the Jews. It appears he was trying to earn favor with them. He gave them the name of Jesus.
This was the beginning of the Jews persecution of Jesus. This is why John included this account. There were several accounts of Jesus violating their Sabbath rules. The penalty of Sabbath violation was stoning. However, this could only be applied after a warning was issued.
Note:
- They were more worried about their rules than the man.
- They were holding Jesus accountable for the man’s violation.
- They are not seen rejoicing with the man for his healing and new lease on life.
- They wanted to eliminate the source of this healing by killing Jesus.
Let’s make this clear. These men were supposedly worried about upholding their law of Sabbath. In response, they wanted to kill Jesus. Apparently, the law of murder wasn’t as clear to them. From this we can see they saw themselves as the religious authority and didn’t like being challenged. They made the rules, they were to be respected. Jesus needed to get himself aligned with them.
In another account, Jesus healed a cripple woman in synagogue at which the ruler of the synagogue is indignant. He didn’t understand why Jesus didn’t heal on the other six days.
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
NKJV; Luke 13:14; 1982, Thomas Nelson
The Sabbath was supposed to be a time of rest, not a burden for men to bear. Jesus released this man from his prison. The woman had been set free. The act of love, leading to their rest, trumped the Jews stringent definition of work.
John 5:17-18
Jewish tradition held that God was always working, as He had done since creation. It was He who sustained the universe, but this work was not a violation of Sabbath. Jesus asserts that the Father has been, indeed, at work. As the Father worked, so did Jesus. He likens His work to the Fathers.
This angered the Jews even more. In saying this, He is telling them that they should honor Him just like they honored the God of their fathers.
These very religious men believed strongly in God. But they didn't know God the Son when He stood before them. Jesus, in His mercy towards this lame man, is simply acting in accordance with the nature of God. Whatever the Father does, He does. There are greater things coming than a lame man walking. In fact, the Father and raise the dead. In raising Jesus from the dead, He would give life to all men who would receive it.
John 5:19-21
The ‘most assuredly’ is the repeated word ‘Amen’ that we’ve seen a few times already from John. This seems to be a marker indicating Jesus was about to say something profoundly important.
Jesus had called God His Father, indicating He was the Son of God. Jesus provides several things for the Jews to consider.
- Jesus is distinct in person, but takes a subordinate role to the Father. He is dependent on the Father.
- He cannot act inconsistent with the Father’s will
- Like Father, like Son – a well understood concept that a son imitates the Father.
- The Father loves the Son.
- The Father shows the Son all He is doing.
- Greater things are coming to which they will marvel.
- The Father raises the dead and the Son gives life (delegated authority).
John 5:22-23
- Judgment has been committed to Jesus, by the Father.
In several places in the Old Testament the Father is seen as judge, while prophetically the Messiah is seen as judge. In this, we again see the distinct persons and roles of the Trinity but we see no difference in the will and work of God. Jesus again claimed a delegated authority from the Father.
Jesus is still talking to the Jews and informs them that those who don't honor the Son don't honor the Father. These Jewish spiritual leaders thought they could honor the Father as they had always done, yet deny the Son that was sent by the Father.
John 5:25
Jesus went on in verse 24 telling the Jews what this honor would look like and what it would do for those who honor the Son. He begins the another, “Amen, amen!” It is a call to attention for the seeker of truth. This acknowledges the acceptance of a task, the presence of a truth or agreement to the performance of the will of God. It is a kind of spontaneous praise.
Jesus isn't just a miracle worker; a man who can heal a child at a distance or make a lame man walk, Jesus is the very giver of life. To those who would hear what He speaks and believe what He says, Jesus will grant life. This new life is a life lived in identity to Christ. It is everlasting life bypassing the judgment.
Imagine how that sounded to the Jews. This man was claiming to be equal to God. He was promising an free pass from judgment if folks believed in Him. This didn’t sound like fulfillment of the law but escape from it. Jesus was portraying Himself as one with the Father, but they were hearing all the inconsistencies of what they believed of the Father.
The hearer and believer of Jesus’ word would pass from death to life. This is to say man is already dead. This speaks of a spiritual death that will bring physical death and continue for eternity. This is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Dead men can't raise themselves. Dead or alive, men have no ability to pass from death to life. From a simple faith and belief, even in the face of this hopelessness, Jesus will bring life.
Consider it. One moment, your soul is sin-stained, dark and lifeless. Then, instantly upon trusting in Jesus, you are regenerated. The sin is gone, darkness has been replaced by light. Eternal damnation has been replaced with eternal life with your creator, Lord, King and God.
John 5:25-30
This ‘most assuredly’ is built upon the previous. This is like four ‘amens’ together as an exclamation point to mark the critical importance of what Jesus was saying.
“The days are coming” is an Old Testament phrase (Jer 31:31; 2 Kings 20:17). Jesus marks this truth as both a future expectation and present reality. The dead will hear His voice and live. There is the present reality of hearing Him, believing and being saved as well as the future reality. In addition, there is the final reality of hearing Jesus in the resurrection, the culmination of our salvation.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
NKJV; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1982, Thomas Nelson
Jesus has reinforced the greater works referenced in verse 21 (point 7 above).
The authority of judgment and life are delegated to Jesus “because He is the Son of Man.” This phrase connects to Daniel.
“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
NKJK; Daniel 7:13-14; 1982, Thomas Nelson
Jesus just identified Himself as the One that Daniel saw in the vision. He is the Son of Man to whom the Ancient of Days delegated dominion and glory and a kingdom.
Then in verse 28 Jesus further identifies Himself by using Daniel. They were without a doubt marveling at what He’d said, but they hadn’t heard the full extent of it yet. Jesus identified himself as the voice of the Son of Man who would call mankind to the resurrection.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
NKJV; Daniel 12:1-3; 1982, Thomas Nelson
While Jesus is a distinct person, His will is submitted to the will of the Father. The Father committed all things to the Son, the Son acts on behalf of the Father at His will.
John 5:31-35
The testimony of Jesus isn’t true in the sense that one can’t testify of themselves in a trial, they need witnesses. God the Father was the reliable witness to Jesus. The Father used John the Baptist who was also a witness to Jesus. The testimony of man has its place but extreme caution should be used. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and won't change to please men. Jesus doesn’t need the support, approval or testimony of men, but God used John the Baptist to pronounce Jesus to men. John was the burning and shining lamp that burned briefly to point to the real light of the world. A lamp was used to hold up and present the light for others.
The very work Jesus was doing also testified that God sent Him. Jesus was also the fulfillment of prophecy. See Daniel 9 where it is predicted how long it will be before the messiah will come after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. To the day, Jesus presented himself as the Messiah to Jerusalem.
17There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
NKJV; Psalm 132:17-18; 1982, Thomas Nelson
This is getting serious. If they were offended before, they are fist clenching mad now!
John 5:36-38
Jesus did the works given to given to Him from the Father. These provided a greater witness. The works testified to who Jesus was and that He was sent by the Father. This is the testimony of the Father even though no one had heard the Father’s voice or seen Him. Their ancestors knew Jesus in the Exodus and saw His presence on the mountain. The current generation only had tradition and teaching from their ancestors. Yet, the word of God was not abiding in them. This was evident because they did not believe in Jesus.
John 5:39-47
The study of Torah was the highest ideal of the teachers in Judaism. They poured through the scriptures and copied the scriptures. They were diligent in their work. By that work, they thought they had attained eternal life. However, they had not found Jesus in the scriptures, though they testify of Him. They were not willing to come to Jesus. Because of this they did not have life.
Jesus came with pure motive. He wasn’t seeking to be honored by men. He came to complete the work as designated by the Father. He came in obedience. Even then He knew the love of God wasn’t in these me. Jesus came in the name of the Father, to reject Him was to reject the One who sent Him. They had rejected the Messiah yet often listened to the false prophets and were led astray by them.
How could they profess to be believers? They honor each other but don’t honor the one coming from God. They were worried more about keeping Moses law but they did about honoring God. Yet, if they believed Moses, they would believe Jesus. Moses wrote about Jesus (Gen 3:15; Numbers 21:9; 24:17; Deut 18:15).
The law showed them their need for a savior, but their faith was in the law.
Jesus spoke truth to these men. It was straight up, no fluff. He wasn't worried about hurting their feelings or offending their religion. These were proud men who had lost their way. They were in the darkness yet thought they were in the light. They thought they had God and eternal life, yet God and eternal life stood before them and they rejected Him.
©2005, 2009, 2013, 2023 DOUG FORD
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