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 5:21 mean?

Explanation

John 5:21 speaks to the divine power Jesus claims in relation to God the Father.

Literally, this verse presents the idea that just as God the Father has the power to give life to the dead, so does Jesus Christ, the Son.

The action of raising the dead and quickening (giving life to) them is a divine prerogative that the verse is attributing to both the Father and the Son.

This verse illustrates the unity of purpose and essence between Jesus and God the Father, indicating that Jesus is not just a separate being but operates with the same divine authority and power.

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Historical Context

The verse is set in the context of an encounter Jesus had in Jerusalem after he healed a man at the pool called Bethesda on the Sabbath.

This healing led to conflict with Jewish leaders who accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law.

Jesus defended his actions by asserting his unique relationship with God the Father, which included performing works on the Sabbath as the Father would.

This conversation occurs within the larger context of the Gospel of John, which was written to a diverse audience, including Jewish and Gentile Christians, and aimed to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret John 5:21 in various ways.

From a Trinitarian viewpoint, this verse would be seen as affirming the divinity of Christ and his equality with the Father.

Modalist perspectives might view this as an example of God manifesting himself in different modes, Father and Son.

An Arian perspective, which historically denies the full divinity of Jesus, might struggle with this passage or interpret it as an example of God's authority being granted to a created being (the Son) in a lesser sense.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse encourages believers in the New Testament era to trust in the power and authority of Christ.

It implies that Jesus has authority over life and death and thus should be trusted with one's own life.

For believers facing spiritual or physical death, this verse offers hope that they are in the hands of one who can grant life.

It also suggests that Jesus, having divine authority, should guide one's moral and ethical decisions.

Cross-References

John 11:25: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
John 6:40: "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Romans 8:11: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Language Study

Important words to consider in the original Greek text include:

"raiseth" (ἐγείρει, egeirei): from the root ἐγείρω, meaning to raise up or wake up.
"quickeneth" (ζωοποιεῖ, zoopoiei): from the root ζωοποιέω, meaning to make alive, give life, or vivify.
"will" (θέλει, thelei): from the root θέλω, meaning to will, intend, desire, or wish.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient mythologies, there are deities associated with life and death such as Osiris in Egyptian mythology, who embodies resurrection and fertility.

Comparatively, in John 5:21, the power to give life is exclusively divine but shared by two personages of the same monotheistic God, which is a key distinction from polytheistic religions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, raising the dead and imparting life are not within the realm of empirical observation or reproducibility. They are considered miraculous acts that transcend natural explanation.

Therefore, a purely scientific perspective does not provide a framework for understanding this verse other than acknowledging that such actions go beyond current scientific understanding of life and death.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse interpretations of John 5:21.

Some, such as Matthew Henry, emphasize the sovereign power of Jesus to give life both spiritually and physically. Others, like William Barclay, discuss Jesus' claim that his life-giving power shows his equality with God.

Many commentaries agree that this verse confronts us with the profound mystery of Jesus' divine nature and authority. The consensus among many commentaries is that John 5:21 is a pivotal verse for understanding the relationship between Jesus and God the Father.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:21 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 5:21 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?