John 5

1 Christ goeth again to Jerusalem at the feast, etc there healeth on the sabbath a man that had lain sick eight and thirty years at the bath of Bethesda, 8 who at Christ command carrieth away his bed, and being reproved for it by the Jews, appealeth unto Christ, 16 wherefore the Jews seek to put Christ to death, as on e that brake the sabbath, and made himself equal to God, 19 Christ defendeth his action, and testifieth that he is like unto his father in all his working, as are giving life, 222 judging from the dead, 31 of John, 36 and his miracles, 38 reproveth the Jews unbelief, 39 and directeth them to the searching of the scripture, 45 even the very writings of Moses.

1. After this there was the feast of the Jews [This seems to have been the feast of the passover, as is gathered from John 4:35 seeing that between that time and the passover there came no other feast, and the harvest began from passover, Levit.23.10. so that this should be the second passover after Christ baptism] and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2. And there is at Jerusalem by the sheep (gate) [Or sheep – market; so this place is called, because the sheep which we used for burnt offerings, were either sold there or brought in through that gate, as being nigh to the Temple. See Nehem 3.1,32. and chap 12.39.] a bath [or pond Many think that this was the pond whereof we read, 2 Kings 20:20. wherein the beast for sacrifice seem to have been washed before they were brought into the Temple] which in the Hebrew is called Bethesda, [that is, an house of Effusion, namely of water, because the water by certain Conduits was carried into the Pond. Or as the Syriack translation readeth, Bethchesda, i.e. an house of bounty because the sick were here taken care for, and some by this special miracle healed] having five courts. [Gr. galleries, walks, i.e. Chambers in which the sick were.]

3. In the same lay a great multitude of infirm, blind, cripples, withered, [Namely, in some members] waiting for the moving of the water:

4. For an Angel descended at certain time [Which notwithstanding was known to the people] into that bath and troubled the water; he then that first came in after the troublinf of the water, he became whole of whatsoever disease he was held.

5. And certain man was there which had lain sick, [Gr. had in infirmity. i.e. continued in, etc.] eight and thirty years.

6. Jesus seeing him lye, etc knowing that he had lain now a long time, said unto him, wilt thou become whole?

7. The impotent (man) answered him, Lord i have not a man to cast me into the water is troubled, and while i come, another getteth down before me.

8. Jesus said unto him arise take up thy bed and walk, [Namely; for a demonstration of Gods grace towards thee, and of thy respect cure miraculously wrought by me. Otherwise it was not lawful without necessity to bear burden on the Sabbath day, Jer.17.2,24,27.of the Greek word Krabbaton, see Mark 2:4.]

9. And straightway the man become whole, and took up his bed and walked: And it was sabbath on the same day.

10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, it is sabbath, it is not lawfull for thee to carry the bed.

11. He answered them, he that made me whole, he said unto me, take up thy bed and walk.

12. Then asked they him, who is the man that said unto thee, take up thy Bed and walk .

13. And he that was made whole knew not whole he was, for Jesus was withdrawn, [Gr. swom out] for as much as there was a (great) multitude in that place. [or out of the multitude which was in at place]

14. Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said unto him, behold, thou art become whole; sin no more lest somewhat worse happen to thee.

15. The man went his way and told the Jews that it was Jesus which he had made him whole?

16. And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to put him to death, because he did these things on the Sabbath.

17. And Jesus answered them, my father walketh until now, and i work (also). [Christ defended himself with the example of God his father, seeing the Jews either had objected ti him or might object, that God himself rested from his works on the Sabbath, Gen.2.1. Ex.20.11. namely, that howsoever God rested from the works of creation, yet nevertheless he still worketh, even on the sabbath days, in the preservation and government of all creatures.]

18. Therefore then the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, [Gr. loosed, namely according to their opinion] but also said, that God was his own father , [that is, his natural father, of the same essenc and power, as the Jews well concluded this from Christ words, and so Christ is also called Gods own son, Rom.8.32.] making himself equal with God.

19. Then Jesus answered and said unto them; verily, verily i say, unto you, the son can do nothing of himself [Namely, without the Father power and will, which he hath in common with the father, John 10:30. so that like as the father worketh all by the son, so also the son worketh nothing but from the father by the same power] except he see the father do it, [Gr. ought, i.e the same] for whatsoever he doth [namely the father] the same [that is, the same work, and by the same divine power, John 1:3. Col.1.16. Heb.1.3.] also doth the Son likewise.

20. For the Father loveth the son, etc showeth him all that he doth, [That is, communicates all his works with the Son so that the Father worketh all by the Son, as by a co – worker with the Father, as appears from that which followeth] and he shall shew him greater works [namely which are related afterward, v. 21.22] then these [namely these and the like cures] that yee may marvel, [or so that yee shall marvel.]

21. For as the Father raiseth and quickeneth the dead, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will .

22. For the Father also jedgeth no man, [Namely alone without the Son, but judgeth and governeth all things by the Son, John 3:35. and chap 17.2.] but hath given all the judgment to the son.

23. That all may honour the Son, like as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Father which hath sent him:

24. Verily, verily i say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me. he hath everlasting life. [That is, hath the beginning and firm assurance thereof, Romans 8:24. Ephes.2.6. 1John 3.2.] and cometh not into condemnation [Gr. judgment, that is condemnation] but is passed over from death into life.

25. Verily, verily, i say unto you, the hour cometh [That is, the time, namely that man is greater multitude, and with more power , by the preaching of the Gospel, shall be raised up from the death of the sin into a spiritual life] and now is, when the dead [that is, they that are spiritually dead, through trespasses and sin, Ephes.2.1,5.] shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that have heard it [namely, so that they have also embraced it by faith, John 1:12] shall live. [that is, obtain a new spiritual life, which is called the first resurrection, Revelation 20:6. see of this spiritual life, Romans 6:4. Galatians 2:20.]

26. For as the Father hath life himself , [that is the divine essence, which is life in it self, and cause and fountain of life in all. See Psalms 36:10] so hath he also given the Son [namely the same Divine essence, by the internal generation of the Father, Psa.2.7. Micah 5:1.] to have life in himself.

27. And hath given him power to exercise judgment also [Gr. to do judgment, i.e. to govern all things with power of life and death, and especially at the last day, Mat.28.18. Romans 14:9. Rev.1.18.] because he is the son of man. [that is, he having assumed the human nature into the unity of his person, is appointed by God for a judgment and mediator, and shall also as man execute the same office, Daniel 7:13. John 17:2. Acts 10:42. and chap 17.41.]

28. Marvel not at that [Namely, as if i did ascribe to great things to my self. For i will do greater things yet, namely, raise up all the dead as followeth] for the hour cometh[that is, shall come] in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. [of this voice see Cor.15.52. and 1 Thes.4.16.]

29. And shall go forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, [see hereof, Matthew 25:46.] and they have done evil, unto the resurrection of condemnation. [Gr. of judgment.]

30. I can of my self do nothing, [That is, without the power and will of the father, which have in common with him; as also the whole divine nature] as i hear [namely from the father, i.e. as the father gave example commands me] i judge, and my judgment is just; for i seek not my will, but the will of the Father that sent me.

31. If i testifie of my self [Namely, alone] my testimony is not true. [that is, yee might doubt thereof, for otherwise Christ testimony in it self is always true, and to be received, see John 8:14.]

32. There is another [Namely, my Father, see ver.17.] which testifieth of me, and i know that the testimony that he testifieth of me is true.

33. Yee sent unto John, and hhe gave testimony to truth; [Namely, concerning me]

34. But i receive no testimony from a man [Namely as i needed it for my self] but this i say, that ye should be saved [namely, if ye believe Johns testimony]

35. He was a barning and a shining candle, [Namely in doctrine and life] and ye were willing for a short time [Gr. am hour, that is, a little while] to rejoice in his light. [that is, were willing to embrace his doctrine with joy.]

36. But i have a testimony greater than (that) of John, for the works [That is, miracles, as John 10:37.] which the Father hath given me for to accomplish them , the same works which i do, testify of me that the Father hath sent me.

37. And the Father which hath sent me, he himself hath testified of me, [Namely, when i was baptized by John , See Mat.3.17.] ye have neither ever heard his voice, nor seen his shape. [that is albeit that ye much boast of this, that your father have head Gods voice, and seen him in certain manifestation, notwithstanding ye do really shew that ye have neither heard him nor seen him, i.e. that ye have no true knowledge of him and his word, for as much as ye do not believe in me his son.]

38. And his word ye have not abiding in you: for yee believe not him whom he hath sent.

39. Search the scriptures, [Or ye search] for ye think to have eternal life in the same, [that is, that the way to obtain eternal life, is taught and set forth in the same which was a good opinion] and they are (they) which testify of me.

40. And you will not come unto me, [That is,not believe in me] that ye might have light .

41. I receive no honour from men: [Gr. glory i.e. i say not this of ambition, but for my father honour and your salvation.]

42. But i know you, that ye have not the love of God in your selves.

43. I come in the name of my Father [That is, appointed and sent by the Father] and ye receive me not; if another come [namely, false teacher or false Christ. see Mat.24. v.5.24. Acts 5:36.] in his own name [that is, intruding himself without being sent of God] him will ye receive.

44. How can ye believe, ye which receive [That is, seek] honour from another, and seek not the honour which is from God alone; [or from the only God, namely that by true faith ye might become his children and heirs, John 1:12.]

45. Think not that i will accuse you to the father, [Or impeach, i.e. that i shall need to accuse you] he that accuseth you is Moses [or there is one that accuseth you , namely Moses, i.e. the wtitings of Moses, Luke 16:29.] in whom ye have hoped. [that is, in which writings ye trust to find eternal life. see ver.39.]

46. For i ye believe Moses, ye would believe me, for he wrote of me.

47. But if ye believe not his writings: [Namely, which ye so highly esteem] how shall ye believe my words [namely, which ye so little regard]