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 5:40 mean?

Explanation

John 5:40, in the King James Version: "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life," speaks directly of the deep spiritual refusing of individuals to accept Jesus Christ as the source of spiritual life and salvation.

Here, Christ is addressing the people, most likely the Jewish leaders and Pharisees, implying that despite the signs and teachings He has provided, they deliberately choose not to believe in Him or accept Him as the Messiah.

The verse underscores the voluntary aspect of disbelief and rejection, highlighting the responsibility individuals bear for their spiritual condition.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is believed to have been written between A.D. 85 and A.D. 95. At this time, the early Christian community was facing both internal and external challenges. The rejection of Jesus by some of the Jewish population is a central theme.

Traditionally, Jesus is portrayed in the Gospels as challenging the religious leadership of the time, particularly in their interpretation of the Law of Moses.

This verse comes after Jesus has healed a man on the Sabbath and is facing criticism for this action. It illuminates the tension between Jesus and the established religious authorities.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse portrays a number of key Christian concepts.

First, Jesus is represented as the source of spiritual life; belief in Him is necessary for salvation, echoing John 14:6.

Second, there is the human condition of free will – the 'will not' suggesting an active refusal rather than passive unbelief.

Third, the verse stresses the gravity of personal decision in the context of salvation, indicating that faith is a personal choice rather than a predestined condition.

Various denominations interpret the implication of this personal choice in different ways, from Calvinist views on predestination to Arminian emphasis on free will.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can encourage personal introspection regarding one's spiritual state and one's openness to faith.

It suggests that life – in the fullest sense of the term, encompassing peace, meaning, and spiritual vitality – is available but requires a personal step of faith towards Jesus.

It can be applied in the way individuals engage with belief, encouraging them to actively seek and accept spiritual truths rather than passively or stubbornly resist them.

The verse serves as a challenge to overcome skepticism or doubt that blocks one from a relationship with God.

Cross-References

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 1:11: "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the word translated as "come" is ἐλθεῖν (elthein), which conveys coming or approaching in a physical or metaphorical sense. This indicates an action that the audience is refusing to take.

The word "life" is ζωήν (zōēn), which refers not only to physical existence but to the quality and essence of life that Jesus offers.

Thus, the language does not simply connote physical life but encompasses eternal and spiritual life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, many ancient religions and myths have stories of human figures or deities offering life or knowledge, such as the ancient Sumerian tale of Inanna's descent to the underworld or the Greek myth of Prometheus bringing fire to humanity.

In these myths, receiving the life or knowledge often requires action by the recipients.

John 5:40 could be seen as paralleling such narratives, with Jesus offering a spiritual life that must be willingly received.

Scientific Perspectives

In scientific terms, this verse does not present a testable hypothesis or claim amenable to empirical verification. It deals with spiritual or metaphysical life rather than biological life, which is the domain of science.

Therefore, there is often a philosophical distinction or separation of the material aspects studied by science and the spiritual issues addressed in this verse.

commentaries

Commentators on the Gospel of John have offered various perspectives on John 5:40.

F.F.

Bruce emphasizes the responsibility of the listeners in their rejection of Jesus.

Matthew Henry's commentary speaks of the sorrow and tenderness of Jesus as He makes this declaration, emphasizing the compassion behind His rebuke.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that this verse is part of Jesus' broader discussion on His role and authority and highlights the tragic irony of the Jews' refusal to come to the one who gives testimony about the path to eternal life.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:40 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 5:40 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?