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 5:37 mean?

Explanation

John 5:37 represents a statement from Jesus addressing the Jewish leaders who were questioning His authority and divinity.

In this verse, Jesus points to God the Father as the one who sent Him and as the ultimate witness to His identity and mission.

He emphasizes that the Father has provided testimony about Him.

When Jesus says, "Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape," He is suggesting that these leaders have not truly understood or experienced God, despite their religious positions.

The verse underscores the idea that knowing God is not merely about external observances or hearing about Him, but involves a deeper spiritual revelation that they have missed.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John was likely written toward the end of the first century.

Here, the historical context is Jesus talking to the Jewish leaders sometime during His earthly ministry, probably in Jerusalem.

At the time, there was an expectation among the Jewish people for a coming Messiah, yet many did not accept Jesus as fulfilling this role.

Within this tense backdrop, Jesus often found Himself in conflict with the religious establishment, who questioned His teachings and authority.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives yield different interpretations of this verse:

Trinitarian Viewpoint: Trinitarians use this verse to support the concept of the Trinity, seeing Jesus as distinct from the Father, yet having a divine nature that bears witness to His authority.
Unitarian Viewpoint: Unitarians might argue that this verse separates God the Father from Jesus, indicating that Jesus is not himself divine but divinely appointed.
Messianic Judaism: Believers in Messianic Judaism could see this verse as a validation of Jesus' claim as the Messiah with the Father endorsing Him without necessarily supporting the Trinity doctrine.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 5:37 can teach individuals to seek a personal and experiential knowledge of God rather than merely an intellectual or second-hand understanding.

It encourages believers to listen for God's testimony in their lives, recognizing the works and words of Jesus as evidence of God’s communication with humanity.

Cross-References

John 8:18: "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."
1 John 5:9: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son."
Exodus 33:20: "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."
Deuteronomy 4:12: "And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice."

Language Study

"Witness" (Greek: μαρτυρέω - martyreo): In this context, it refers to bearing testimony or providing evidence.
"Heard" (Greek: ἀκούω - akouo): Implies the act of hearing but can also suggest paying attention or heeding.
"Voice" (Greek: φωνή - phone): Not just a sound, but a voice, indicating communication.
"Seen" (Greek: ὁράω - horao): To see with the eyes, perceive or notice.
"Shape" (Greek: εἶδος - eidos): Form, appearance, or kind.

In this context, it refers to physical appearance or form.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, gods were often represented with forms and shapes.

The Greek gods had human-like characteristics, and the Egyptians represented their deities in various forms as well.

However, the Hebrew God in Judeo-Christian thought is typically invisible and not to be represented by any form, contrasting the anthropomorphic gods of surrounding cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community typically does not address issues of religious testimony directly, as they deal more with empirical evidence.

However, the idea of not hearing a divine voice or seeing a divine shape may resonate with the understanding that spiritual experiences often do not correlate with physical evidence from a scientific standpoint.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary: Suggests that the Jews had a great advantage but did not have the knowledge of God; they were missing the inward experience of God's word.
The MacArthur Study Bible: Asserts that the statement illustrates the Jewish leaders' failure to recognize God's voice and form in the person of Jesus.
The Pulpit Commentary: Interprets this as a rebuke to the Jews for not recognizing the divine testimony given to Jesus, as they have not "seen" God in any form or truly "heard" His voice.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:37 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 5:37 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?