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 5:8 mean?

Explanation

John 5:8 records a command given by Jesus to a man who had been invalid for thirty-eight years.

This command comes after Jesus asks him if he wants to be healed and the man explains his inability to get into the healing pool of Bethesda in time.

In telling the man to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk," Jesus is not only instructing him to perform physical actions but also providing a moment of miraculous healing.

The man immediately regains his strength, picks up his bedroll, and begins to walk, serving both as evidence of Jesus' divine power and as a symbol of spiritual awakening and obedience.

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Historical Context

The event described in John 5:8 occurs at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem during one of the Jewish festivals.

Bethesda was believed to have healing properties, and a multitude of disabled people would gather there.

The historical context of this miracle includes the Jewish understanding of significance in physical and ritual purity, and the prevailing belief in supernatural intervention in certain pools or waters.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is significant in several ways. It demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty over illness and his authority to command an instant healing.

The verse also suggests a move from believing in superstition, such as magical healing waters, to personal faith in Jesus.

Some theological interpretations see this as a foreshadowing of the greater spiritual resurrection and healing offered through Christ, portraying a break from the old ways of the Law to the new life found in Jesus.

Practical Applications

The practical applications for believers today stem from Jesus' interaction with the invalid.

The command to "take up thy bed, and walk" can be interpreted as an invitation to leave behind past limitations and to act in faith.

It encourages individuals to participate actively in their own spiritual journeys, suggesting that when Jesus offers healing (whether physical, emotional, or spiritual), one must respond with obedience and carry out corresponding actions.

Cross-References

Mark 2:11: "I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."
Luke 5:24: "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house."
Acts 3:6: "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

"Rise" (ἔγειρε - egeire): often used to command someone to get up from a lying position and can imply awakening from death.
"Take up" (ἆρον - airon): to lift or carry away.

It has physical and metaphorical implications.

"Walk" (περιπάτει - peripatei): to tread or to live.

It can indicate not only the act of walking but also how one conducts life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, miraculous healings were often attributed to various gods and deities.

In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, gods such as Asclepius were revered for their healing powers.

In the Jewish context, this healing stands out as an act by Jesus, one not reliant on a pool's rumored healing properties, challenging the conventional religious perceptions and illustrating the direct intervention by God in human affairs.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the instant healing described in John 5:8 defies natural laws and medical explanation, fitting the definition of a miracle.

There is no known medical process that could enable a chronic invalid of thirty-eight years to recover strength and mobility instantaneously.

This incident, therefore, invites scrutiny and debate about the relationship between faith, miracles, and science.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse often focus on Jesus' divine authority and compassion. They highlight the significance of Jesus performing this miracle on the Sabbath, an act that stirred controversy with the Jewish leaders of the time.

Scholars also discuss the transformative nature of the command, which not only restores physical mobility but also offers a new spiritual direction, as the man immediately becomes a witness to Jesus' miraculous power.

This account is seen as an illustration of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and his mission to bring spiritual renewal.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:8 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 5:8 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?