John 5

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

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.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

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?

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.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

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.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

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.

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.

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.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

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.

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.

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.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

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.

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.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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.

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.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

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.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

What does John 5:13 mean?

Explanation

John 5:13 refers to an incident where Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda, as described in the preceding verses of John 5.

After the healing took place, Jesus slips away into the crowd, which is substantial due to a Jewish festival that is being observed in Jerusalem at the time.

The man who was healed did not have the opportunity to learn the identity of his healer immediately because Jesus had left the scene covertly.

This verse highlights Jesus' characteristic humility and his tendency to avoid drawing attention to himself after performing miracles.

The healed man's ignorance of his benefactor's identity also points to a theme in the Gospel of John: recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is a process of revelation, often necessitating faith before understanding.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John is generally placed in the late 1st century (around 90-100 AD), in an era where the Christian faith was being consolidated and distinguished from Judaism.

The Pool of Bethesda was a real physical location in Jerusalem where people believed the waters could heal sickness when stirred, possibly during certain times or seasons.

During this period, large groups of people would gather in Jerusalem for Jewish festivals. These gatherings became opportunities for Jesus to teach and perform miracles among the masses, yet also posed a risk given the increasing tensions between his ministry and the religious authorities.

Theological Insights

John 5:13 can be viewed through different theological lenses:

Divine Humility: Some theologians emphasize Jesus' humility and his frequent avoidance of public spectacle or immediate recognition after performing miracles as an important aspect of his ministry.
Providence: Others may see the man's ignorance of his healer's identity as indicative of the mysterious ways of God's providence, suggesting that God's work often occurs beyond human understanding.
Faith and Belief: This verse also reflects the Johannine theme that belief in Jesus often precedes full understanding or recognition of his divine nature and mission.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse might be applied in several ways:

Acts of anonymity: Believers may find value in performing good deeds without seeking recognition, reflecting Jesus' example of humility.
Patience in Understanding: The fact that the healed man did not know Jesus stresses the need for patience when seeking understanding in spiritual matters.
Faith Over Sight: It encourages living by faith, even when one does not have a complete picture of how God is moving in one's life.

Cross-References

John 5:1-9 – Describes the actual healing of the man at Bethesda.
John 9:1-12 – Similar account where Jesus heals a blind man who doesn't immediately recognize him.
Matthew 6:1-4 – Jesus' teaching on doing charitable deeds in secret.
Philippians 2:5-8 – Paul speaks of Jesus' humility.

Language Study

The key phrase in the verse, "wist not who it was," focuses on the man's lack of knowledge about Jesus' identity.

The word "wist" is the past tense of "wit," which means to know. In the original Greek text, the verb is "ἔγνω" (egenō), which is from "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), meaning to come to know or recognize, often with a focus on personal, relational knowledge.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing other ancient myths and religious interpretations, one could reflect on the common motif of gods or divine beings performing miracles incognito. For example, in Greek mythology, gods often visited humans in disguise.

However, in contrast, Jesus' healings were not meant to deceive or test humans but to offer compassion and salvation.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science might address the healing at the Pool of Bethesda by exploring psychological or psychosomatic aspects of healing, such as the placebo effect.

However, scientific perspectives generally do not confirm supernatural healings, due to the limited framework science has for exploring such phenomena.

Commentaries

Various experts have commented on this verse, emphasizing different aspects:

Craig S.

Keener, in his commentary on the Gospel of John, notes the real historical setting of the pool and the realistic depiction of crowd dynamics in ancient Jerusalem.

D.A.

Carson focuses on the theme of Jesus' identity and the developing Christology in the Gospel of John.

Leon Morris speaks to the Johannine emphasis on Jesus' signs pointing to his divine nature, with particular attention to how they prompt belief in Jesus as the Son of God.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 5:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?