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 5:41 mean?

Explanation

The verse John 5:41, "I receive not honour from men" is a statement attributed to Jesus Christ in the context of a discourse where he is addressing the Jews concerning His authority and divine mission.

In this verse, Jesus is expressing that he does not seek or depend on the approval, recognition, or validation from humans for his identity or teachings. Instead, His mission and authority are derived from His relationship to God the Father.

This verse speaks to the deeper meaning of Jesus' purpose on Earth, indicating that His focus is on fulfilling divine will rather than seeking human accolades.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 5:41 is part of a larger narrative in the Gospel of John, where Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and, consequently, faces opposition from Jewish leaders for breaking the Sabbath law.

This event takes place in Jerusalem during one of the Jewish festivals.

The Gospel of John was written in a time when there was growing tension between the early Christian community and the Jewish religious establishment.

Thus, the discussions presented, including Jesus' declarations about his sources of authority, must be understood in the light of these tensions and the John's community's need to assert the divine origin of Jesus' mission.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, John 5:41 suggests a number of key insights:

The sovereignty of God: Jesus is portrayed as being obedient to God's will, regardless of human opinion.
The source of true honour: The verse implies that genuine honour comes from God, not humans.
The independence of Jesus' mission: Jesus does not depend on human authority or recognition to validate his ministry.
The humility of Christ: Despite being the Son of God, he does not seek glory from people.

Practical Applications

John 5:41 can be applied in daily life in several ways:

Encourages believers to seek approval from God rather than human beings.
Suggests that true value and honour are found in fulfilling one's divine purpose.
Inspires humility, as even Jesus did not pursue human glory.
Reminds believers to stay focused on God's will, despite opposition or misunderstanding.

Cross-References

John 7:18: "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."
John 8:50: "And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth."
Galatians 1:10: "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

Language Study

The term "honour" in the original Greek text is "δόξα" (doxa), which can mean "glory," "praise," or "honour." It carries the idea of someone receiving recognition or accolades.

The statement "I receive not" comes from the Greek "οὐ λαμβάνω" (ou lambanō), with "ou" being a strong negation and "lambanō" meaning "to take" or "to receive." Jesus is asserting that He explicitly does not take or accept human honour as part of His mission.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of a divine figure not seeking human honour can be contrasted with many ancient myths where gods often seek worship and praise from humans.

In Greek mythology, for example, gods frequently interact with humans for the purpose of receiving honour.

Religious interpretations within Judaism during the time of Jesus also placed significant emphasis on honour and reputation, as seen in the importance of teachers and rabbis and their positions in society.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 5:41 does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, the concept of seeking validation or approval can be linked to psychological theories of human behavior.

Modern psychology recognizes that people often seek approval from others for self-validation, social standing, and personal identity.

This verse challenges the psychological norm by encouraging the search for divine approval rather than human validation.

Commentaries

Commentators offer a range of insights on John 5:41:

Matthew Henry comments that Jesus, being confident in His divine mission, does not seek the applause of men but rather commends the pursuit of God’s glory.
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary emphasizes that Jesus' indifference to human honour is a mark of His divinity, contrasting human leaders who often seek such honour.
The Pulpit Commentary observes that Jesus' refusal to receive honour from men showcases his humility and the divine authority by which he speaks and acts, which does not require human endorsement.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:41 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 5:41 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?