John 6

John 6:1

The Father Seeks Worshipers

Here we have the first unfolding of Christian worship ever given by God to a human being. This worship goes beyond both Samaritan and Jewish worship. In Christian worship, the Father is worshiped, and it is no longer the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, or the Almighty, as the patriarchs knew Him. It is also no longer about mandatory worship as a demand of God (Deuteronomy 6:13). God is entitled to the worship of every human being on earth, and He has demanded that worship of man at all times. Even when the church is raptured and there will be a great tribulation on earth, the command sounds: “Worship Him” (Revelation 14:7).

God does not demand worship of the church, because when the Son came to earth, God revealed Himself as a Giver. Thus, the Son of God comes to sinful people whom we see represented in this Samaritan woman. The Lord Jesus has revealed God, as He, the Son, knows Him. He has revealed the Father in the fullness of love and fellowship. The Son will also bring His own who are in the world into a conscious relationship with His Father as children of that Father (John 20:17) because they are born of God (John 1:12-13).

In this light both Mount Gerizim and Jerusalem disappear. The worship on Mount Gerizim was nothing but a self-willed religion; the worship in Jerusalem was merely the test and proof of man’s incompetence under the law to meet God. Christian worship is based on the possession of eternal life in the Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit as the power to worship (cf. Philippians 3:3).

From now on, national religion is a deception, it is merely an attempt to bring to life what has disappeared when it comes to acknowledgment from God’s side. From now on the Father is seeking persons who worship Him as Father. For that purpose, those persons have to know Him as Father, which is only possible if they have accepted the Son.

We see here the great desire of the Father that is revealed by the Son. The entire work of the Son is aimed at bringing about that worship. Nowhere in Scripture do we read that the Father seeks anything else, although it is also important, for example, that we bear witness to the Lord Jesus. However, we may consider whether we give this desire of the Father the highest priority in our life.

The Lord adds another thing. The Father is seeking worshipers, but then it is also important to know how He wants us to worship Him. That is why the Son says that we must remember that God is spirit. He speaks about the ‘Father’ when it comes to blessings and about ‘God’ when it comes to responsibility. Therefore, when it comes to the way of worship, it is about responsibility and that is why He speaks about ‘God’ and ‘must’.

Worship of the Father must be done “in spirit”, that is in a spiritual way, guided by the Holy Spirit and not in an Old Testament, earthly, tangible way. The worship to which the Lord Jesus refers here is not an appearance that requires special clothing or sacred buildings or certain visible actions. It is about the heart and not about the eyes or the hands. Everything that is external only has the effect of diverting attention from Him, Who is represented to faith by the Holy Spirit.

It is also important that the worship of the Father is done in “truth”, i.e., in accordance with the truth which the Lord Jesus has revealed about the Father. Christian worship is focused on the Father and the Son of the Father. Only true believers can “worship in spirit and truth”.

John 6:2

Christ Makes Himself Known

What the Lord Jesus said about worship is far beyond the woman’s thinking. Yet she does not turn away from Him, but asks Him about the Messiah. That, in any case, is the thought that comes to her because of what He has said. She touches the core; she is at the source.

When the woman expresses her longing for the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord can reveal Himself to her. He has achieved His purpose with her. A poor Samaritan sinner accepts the Messiah of Israel Whom the priests and Pharisees rejected from among the people. Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – or the Messiah – is born of God (1 John 5:1). That is what she believes. Her heart has been touched and her conscience has been reached. The grace and truth that came to her in Jesus Christ (John 1:17) are now everything to her.

At that moment, the disciples come back. Now they could because the Lord has come to His purpose with the woman. Yet the woman has not gone when the disciples return. The Lord wants them to see what He has been doing during their absence. The disciples are amazed that He speaks with a woman. It was not common for a man to speak with a woman alone.

Like the woman, the disciples have not yet understood much of the grace and truth that are present in Christ and His search for those who are open to it. Had they known what the woman was seeking and what He said to her, they would have wondered even more. Not only did He speak to her, but He also revealed to her what she was seeking and showed her in Himself that He is all she needs. Above all, He fulfilled His own desire to acquaint this woman with ‘the gift of God’.

The disciples still have much to learn. They do feel that something special has happened, because they don’t ask the woman what she does seek nor do they ask the Lord why He does speak with her.

John 6:3

Christ Makes Himself Known

What the Lord Jesus said about worship is far beyond the woman’s thinking. Yet she does not turn away from Him, but asks Him about the Messiah. That, in any case, is the thought that comes to her because of what He has said. She touches the core; she is at the source.

When the woman expresses her longing for the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord can reveal Himself to her. He has achieved His purpose with her. A poor Samaritan sinner accepts the Messiah of Israel Whom the priests and Pharisees rejected from among the people. Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – or the Messiah – is born of God (1 John 5:1). That is what she believes. Her heart has been touched and her conscience has been reached. The grace and truth that came to her in Jesus Christ (John 1:17) are now everything to her.

At that moment, the disciples come back. Now they could because the Lord has come to His purpose with the woman. Yet the woman has not gone when the disciples return. The Lord wants them to see what He has been doing during their absence. The disciples are amazed that He speaks with a woman. It was not common for a man to speak with a woman alone.

Like the woman, the disciples have not yet understood much of the grace and truth that are present in Christ and His search for those who are open to it. Had they known what the woman was seeking and what He said to her, they would have wondered even more. Not only did He speak to her, but He also revealed to her what she was seeking and showed her in Himself that He is all she needs. Above all, He fulfilled His own desire to acquaint this woman with ‘the gift of God’.

The disciples still have much to learn. They do feel that something special has happened, because they don’t ask the woman what she does seek nor do they ask the Lord why He does speak with her.

John 6:4

Christ Makes Himself Known

What the Lord Jesus said about worship is far beyond the woman’s thinking. Yet she does not turn away from Him, but asks Him about the Messiah. That, in any case, is the thought that comes to her because of what He has said. She touches the core; she is at the source.

When the woman expresses her longing for the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord can reveal Himself to her. He has achieved His purpose with her. A poor Samaritan sinner accepts the Messiah of Israel Whom the priests and Pharisees rejected from among the people. Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – or the Messiah – is born of God (1 John 5:1). That is what she believes. Her heart has been touched and her conscience has been reached. The grace and truth that came to her in Jesus Christ (John 1:17) are now everything to her.

At that moment, the disciples come back. Now they could because the Lord has come to His purpose with the woman. Yet the woman has not gone when the disciples return. The Lord wants them to see what He has been doing during their absence. The disciples are amazed that He speaks with a woman. It was not common for a man to speak with a woman alone.

Like the woman, the disciples have not yet understood much of the grace and truth that are present in Christ and His search for those who are open to it. Had they known what the woman was seeking and what He said to her, they would have wondered even more. Not only did He speak to her, but He also revealed to her what she was seeking and showed her in Himself that He is all she needs. Above all, He fulfilled His own desire to acquaint this woman with ‘the gift of God’.

The disciples still have much to learn. They do feel that something special has happened, because they don’t ask the woman what she does seek nor do they ask the Lord why He does speak with her.

John 6:5

The Testimony of the Woman

The woman is not leaving the Lord, but her waterpot. The waterpot is the symbol of her daily toil. She leaves it behind. She is completely seized by the new Object that has been revealed to her heart: Christ. A new world has opened up for her with new affections, new obligations, but also with a new power that lifts her up above her earthly toil. Christ has seized her heart and given her the strength to bear witness of Him.

She wants to tell the people in the city about this special encounter that has made everything in her life different. She is delivered from her sins and has a wonderful future. As long as she lives, she may get to know more and more of the Father through the Son and worship Him for that.

She speaks without any hesitation about Christ as the One Who revealed her sins to her, but also delivered her from them. To her He is still “a man”, but yet at the same time also “the Christ”. She is so absorbed in her new Object that she becomes a preacher without thinking about it. She proclaims Christ from the fullness of her heart and in utter simplicity.

Her testimony has a great effect. All those who see and hear her and who have known her must have noticed the great change that has taken place in her. Such an enthusiastic and personal testimony has great power because it is not only about feelings, but also touches the conscience. Her testimony is the beginning of a revival in the city. All go out of the city and come to the Savior. With Lot, the result of his bearing witness was quite different. When he bore witness to what had been made known to him, he was laughed at (Genesis 19:14).

John 6:6

The Testimony of the Woman

The woman is not leaving the Lord, but her waterpot. The waterpot is the symbol of her daily toil. She leaves it behind. She is completely seized by the new Object that has been revealed to her heart: Christ. A new world has opened up for her with new affections, new obligations, but also with a new power that lifts her up above her earthly toil. Christ has seized her heart and given her the strength to bear witness of Him.

She wants to tell the people in the city about this special encounter that has made everything in her life different. She is delivered from her sins and has a wonderful future. As long as she lives, she may get to know more and more of the Father through the Son and worship Him for that.

She speaks without any hesitation about Christ as the One Who revealed her sins to her, but also delivered her from them. To her He is still “a man”, but yet at the same time also “the Christ”. She is so absorbed in her new Object that she becomes a preacher without thinking about it. She proclaims Christ from the fullness of her heart and in utter simplicity.

Her testimony has a great effect. All those who see and hear her and who have known her must have noticed the great change that has taken place in her. Such an enthusiastic and personal testimony has great power because it is not only about feelings, but also touches the conscience. Her testimony is the beginning of a revival in the city. All go out of the city and come to the Savior. With Lot, the result of his bearing witness was quite different. When he bore witness to what had been made known to him, he was laughed at (Genesis 19:14).

John 6:7

The Testimony of the Woman

The woman is not leaving the Lord, but her waterpot. The waterpot is the symbol of her daily toil. She leaves it behind. She is completely seized by the new Object that has been revealed to her heart: Christ. A new world has opened up for her with new affections, new obligations, but also with a new power that lifts her up above her earthly toil. Christ has seized her heart and given her the strength to bear witness of Him.

She wants to tell the people in the city about this special encounter that has made everything in her life different. She is delivered from her sins and has a wonderful future. As long as she lives, she may get to know more and more of the Father through the Son and worship Him for that.

She speaks without any hesitation about Christ as the One Who revealed her sins to her, but also delivered her from them. To her He is still “a man”, but yet at the same time also “the Christ”. She is so absorbed in her new Object that she becomes a preacher without thinking about it. She proclaims Christ from the fullness of her heart and in utter simplicity.

Her testimony has a great effect. All those who see and hear her and who have known her must have noticed the great change that has taken place in her. Such an enthusiastic and personal testimony has great power because it is not only about feelings, but also touches the conscience. Her testimony is the beginning of a revival in the city. All go out of the city and come to the Savior. With Lot, the result of his bearing witness was quite different. When he bore witness to what had been made known to him, he was laughed at (Genesis 19:14).

John 6:8

The Food of the Lord

In their concern for their Master, the disciples mean well when they tell Him to eat something. They are back with the food they bought (John 4:8). However well-intentioned, again the disciples show that they do not know the Lord much better and do not know much more about Him than the woman. Like the woman, they can only think about physical needs while the Lord is busy with the spiritual needs of the woman.

Then He speaks to them about a kind of food that He has to eat and that they don’t know. That food is doing the will of the Father (John 4:34). His love for the Father leads Him thereto. That is the food that gives strength to those who are weary and increases the strength of him who has no strength (Isaiah 40:29-31). Christ has lived and worked out of the power of that food and therein He is an example to us as well.

The disciples do not understand the scope of the Lord’s words. They still can only think of earthly wells when it comes to meeting earthly needs. A heavenly well and especially the Father to fulfill spiritual needs is still beyond their understanding. They do not yet know the Father and are not yet fully focused on doing the will of the Father, whereas the Lord Jesus does know the Father and is fully focused on doing His will.

Then the Lord reveals what His food consists of, which gives Him the power. As obedient, dependent Man, He gets His strength from doing the will of the Father Whom He presents here as the One Who sent Him to accomplish His work. Accomplishing His work is to make His Father’s Name known and to glorify Him (John 17:4).

John 6:9

The Food of the Lord

In their concern for their Master, the disciples mean well when they tell Him to eat something. They are back with the food they bought (John 4:8). However well-intentioned, again the disciples show that they do not know the Lord much better and do not know much more about Him than the woman. Like the woman, they can only think about physical needs while the Lord is busy with the spiritual needs of the woman.

Then He speaks to them about a kind of food that He has to eat and that they don’t know. That food is doing the will of the Father (John 4:34). His love for the Father leads Him thereto. That is the food that gives strength to those who are weary and increases the strength of him who has no strength (Isaiah 40:29-31). Christ has lived and worked out of the power of that food and therein He is an example to us as well.

The disciples do not understand the scope of the Lord’s words. They still can only think of earthly wells when it comes to meeting earthly needs. A heavenly well and especially the Father to fulfill spiritual needs is still beyond their understanding. They do not yet know the Father and are not yet fully focused on doing the will of the Father, whereas the Lord Jesus does know the Father and is fully focused on doing His will.

Then the Lord reveals what His food consists of, which gives Him the power. As obedient, dependent Man, He gets His strength from doing the will of the Father Whom He presents here as the One Who sent Him to accomplish His work. Accomplishing His work is to make His Father’s Name known and to glorify Him (John 17:4).

John 6:10

The Food of the Lord

In their concern for their Master, the disciples mean well when they tell Him to eat something. They are back with the food they bought (John 4:8). However well-intentioned, again the disciples show that they do not know the Lord much better and do not know much more about Him than the woman. Like the woman, they can only think about physical needs while the Lord is busy with the spiritual needs of the woman.

Then He speaks to them about a kind of food that He has to eat and that they don’t know. That food is doing the will of the Father (John 4:34). His love for the Father leads Him thereto. That is the food that gives strength to those who are weary and increases the strength of him who has no strength (Isaiah 40:29-31). Christ has lived and worked out of the power of that food and therein He is an example to us as well.

The disciples do not understand the scope of the Lord’s words. They still can only think of earthly wells when it comes to meeting earthly needs. A heavenly well and especially the Father to fulfill spiritual needs is still beyond their understanding. They do not yet know the Father and are not yet fully focused on doing the will of the Father, whereas the Lord Jesus does know the Father and is fully focused on doing His will.

Then the Lord reveals what His food consists of, which gives Him the power. As obedient, dependent Man, He gets His strength from doing the will of the Father Whom He presents here as the One Who sent Him to accomplish His work. Accomplishing His work is to make His Father’s Name known and to glorify Him (John 17:4).

John 6:11

The Food of the Lord

In their concern for their Master, the disciples mean well when they tell Him to eat something. They are back with the food they bought (John 4:8). However well-intentioned, again the disciples show that they do not know the Lord much better and do not know much more about Him than the woman. Like the woman, they can only think about physical needs while the Lord is busy with the spiritual needs of the woman.

Then He speaks to them about a kind of food that He has to eat and that they don’t know. That food is doing the will of the Father (John 4:34). His love for the Father leads Him thereto. That is the food that gives strength to those who are weary and increases the strength of him who has no strength (Isaiah 40:29-31). Christ has lived and worked out of the power of that food and therein He is an example to us as well.

The disciples do not understand the scope of the Lord’s words. They still can only think of earthly wells when it comes to meeting earthly needs. A heavenly well and especially the Father to fulfill spiritual needs is still beyond their understanding. They do not yet know the Father and are not yet fully focused on doing the will of the Father, whereas the Lord Jesus does know the Father and is fully focused on doing His will.

Then the Lord reveals what His food consists of, which gives Him the power. As obedient, dependent Man, He gets His strength from doing the will of the Father Whom He presents here as the One Who sent Him to accomplish His work. Accomplishing His work is to make His Father’s Name known and to glorify Him (John 17:4).

John 6:12

The Harvest and the Sower and the Reaper

The Father has sent Him into a world that is under judgment, for man’s sin is clear. Yet at the same time the offer of God’s grace can become all the more evident in that situation. The gospel comes where man’s total depravity is unmistakable and therefore is crossing all borders.

The Lord connects with His example a saying familiar to them regarding the harvest. They can see from the wheat in the field how long it still takes before the harvest comes. The Lord then applies this to the proclamation of the gospel. He tells them to put their eyes up and look on the fields full of people. They will see that the time to reap has already come and therefore they have to work by preaching the gospel and bringing in the harvest.

The Lord encourages them to do this work of reaping by offering the prospect of reward. He also speaks about collecting fruit for eternal life because everyone who believes receives eternal life. What a great motive to work for the Lord Jesus! On top of that there is the great joy for both the sower who started the work and the reaper who was allowed to finish the work.

The Lord does not speak here about the work of sowing – as He does, for example, in Matthew 13 (Matthew 13:3) – but only about reaping. He puts the result in the foreground. In connection with the glorification of the Father’s Name, reaping is the characteristic work. There is a difference in activity, but both sowing and reaping are necessary for the desired and full result. Everyone has his own position in the work of the Lord just as everyone has in the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14). Although He also speaks of sowing, the characteristic work of the apostles is that of reaping.

He fully acknowledges the faithful service of His workers in earlier days. These are the prophets who spoke through the Spirit of Christ about the Savior and the sufferings of Christ and the glories thereafter (1 Peter 1:10-12). What they have sown has not been in vain. The time to reap has waited, but has come with the coming of the Son of God. Someone who may bring people to the Lord is given the opportunity to do so because multiple people before him have already told them about Him. He may then give the final push, speaking the liberating word that under the gracious action of God’s Spirit brings someone to surrender to the Lord Jesus.

John 6:13

The Harvest and the Sower and the Reaper

The Father has sent Him into a world that is under judgment, for man’s sin is clear. Yet at the same time the offer of God’s grace can become all the more evident in that situation. The gospel comes where man’s total depravity is unmistakable and therefore is crossing all borders.

The Lord connects with His example a saying familiar to them regarding the harvest. They can see from the wheat in the field how long it still takes before the harvest comes. The Lord then applies this to the proclamation of the gospel. He tells them to put their eyes up and look on the fields full of people. They will see that the time to reap has already come and therefore they have to work by preaching the gospel and bringing in the harvest.

The Lord encourages them to do this work of reaping by offering the prospect of reward. He also speaks about collecting fruit for eternal life because everyone who believes receives eternal life. What a great motive to work for the Lord Jesus! On top of that there is the great joy for both the sower who started the work and the reaper who was allowed to finish the work.

The Lord does not speak here about the work of sowing – as He does, for example, in Matthew 13 (Matthew 13:3) – but only about reaping. He puts the result in the foreground. In connection with the glorification of the Father’s Name, reaping is the characteristic work. There is a difference in activity, but both sowing and reaping are necessary for the desired and full result. Everyone has his own position in the work of the Lord just as everyone has in the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14). Although He also speaks of sowing, the characteristic work of the apostles is that of reaping.

He fully acknowledges the faithful service of His workers in earlier days. These are the prophets who spoke through the Spirit of Christ about the Savior and the sufferings of Christ and the glories thereafter (1 Peter 1:10-12). What they have sown has not been in vain. The time to reap has waited, but has come with the coming of the Son of God. Someone who may bring people to the Lord is given the opportunity to do so because multiple people before him have already told them about Him. He may then give the final push, speaking the liberating word that under the gracious action of God’s Spirit brings someone to surrender to the Lord Jesus.

John 6:14

The Harvest and the Sower and the Reaper

The Father has sent Him into a world that is under judgment, for man’s sin is clear. Yet at the same time the offer of God’s grace can become all the more evident in that situation. The gospel comes where man’s total depravity is unmistakable and therefore is crossing all borders.

The Lord connects with His example a saying familiar to them regarding the harvest. They can see from the wheat in the field how long it still takes before the harvest comes. The Lord then applies this to the proclamation of the gospel. He tells them to put their eyes up and look on the fields full of people. They will see that the time to reap has already come and therefore they have to work by preaching the gospel and bringing in the harvest.

The Lord encourages them to do this work of reaping by offering the prospect of reward. He also speaks about collecting fruit for eternal life because everyone who believes receives eternal life. What a great motive to work for the Lord Jesus! On top of that there is the great joy for both the sower who started the work and the reaper who was allowed to finish the work.

The Lord does not speak here about the work of sowing – as He does, for example, in Matthew 13 (Matthew 13:3) – but only about reaping. He puts the result in the foreground. In connection with the glorification of the Father’s Name, reaping is the characteristic work. There is a difference in activity, but both sowing and reaping are necessary for the desired and full result. Everyone has his own position in the work of the Lord just as everyone has in the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14). Although He also speaks of sowing, the characteristic work of the apostles is that of reaping.

He fully acknowledges the faithful service of His workers in earlier days. These are the prophets who spoke through the Spirit of Christ about the Savior and the sufferings of Christ and the glories thereafter (1 Peter 1:10-12). What they have sown has not been in vain. The time to reap has waited, but has come with the coming of the Son of God. Someone who may bring people to the Lord is given the opportunity to do so because multiple people before him have already told them about Him. He may then give the final push, speaking the liberating word that under the gracious action of God’s Spirit brings someone to surrender to the Lord Jesus.

John 6:15

The Harvest and the Sower and the Reaper

The Father has sent Him into a world that is under judgment, for man’s sin is clear. Yet at the same time the offer of God’s grace can become all the more evident in that situation. The gospel comes where man’s total depravity is unmistakable and therefore is crossing all borders.

The Lord connects with His example a saying familiar to them regarding the harvest. They can see from the wheat in the field how long it still takes before the harvest comes. The Lord then applies this to the proclamation of the gospel. He tells them to put their eyes up and look on the fields full of people. They will see that the time to reap has already come and therefore they have to work by preaching the gospel and bringing in the harvest.

The Lord encourages them to do this work of reaping by offering the prospect of reward. He also speaks about collecting fruit for eternal life because everyone who believes receives eternal life. What a great motive to work for the Lord Jesus! On top of that there is the great joy for both the sower who started the work and the reaper who was allowed to finish the work.

The Lord does not speak here about the work of sowing – as He does, for example, in Matthew 13 (Matthew 13:3) – but only about reaping. He puts the result in the foreground. In connection with the glorification of the Father’s Name, reaping is the characteristic work. There is a difference in activity, but both sowing and reaping are necessary for the desired and full result. Everyone has his own position in the work of the Lord just as everyone has in the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14). Although He also speaks of sowing, the characteristic work of the apostles is that of reaping.

He fully acknowledges the faithful service of His workers in earlier days. These are the prophets who spoke through the Spirit of Christ about the Savior and the sufferings of Christ and the glories thereafter (1 Peter 1:10-12). What they have sown has not been in vain. The time to reap has waited, but has come with the coming of the Son of God. Someone who may bring people to the Lord is given the opportunity to do so because multiple people before him have already told them about Him. He may then give the final push, speaking the liberating word that under the gracious action of God’s Spirit brings someone to surrender to the Lord Jesus.

John 6:16

The Savior of the World

It is wonderful to see how God has blessed the simple testimony of the woman. Many come to faith in the Lord Jesus through her testimony. And what did her testimony consist of? Of nothing but acknowledging that her conscience has been brought into the light. She has learned to see herself as a sinner in God’s light. That light did not consume her, for it came to her in Him Who at the same time revealed to her the love of the Father. Her honest testimony is good proof that the heart hides nothing and knows how to appreciate grace. This is opposite to using grace as a cover for sin (Jude 1:4).

Through the word of the woman’s testimony, the Samaritans are attracted to the grace and truth revealed in Christ. They go to Him and ask Him to stay with them. This is always the result of a true work of the Spirit in heart and conscience. Someone who is convinced of it will always desire the Lord Jesus to stay with him, even if he does not yet fully know Who He is (Luke 24:29). It may also be that someone who is convinced by Christ has the wish to accompany Him (Luke 8:38). This reflects the same desire.

The reaction of the Lord to such desires depends on the work He wants the newly converted to do. In this case, He responds to their request by staying with them for another two days. Those must have been wonderful days, with a lot of teaching about the Father. The result of His stay is an increase of people who believe in Him. He is believed for His word, without asking for a sign. Initially He is recognized by some as a Prophet (John 4:16-19; 29), next He is recognized by many as “the Savior of the world”.

He is the Savior, not only for the Jews, but for the world (1 John 4:14). The Samaritans who come to faith in Him are proof of this. They have heard Him and are convinced by His word inwardly that He has also come to save them.

When the word of Christ is believed, there is a connection between the heart and Him. He reveals Himself by what He says. That was the case then and it is no different now. Here the word of Christ receives its full value while faith gets its blessed result in the acknowledgment of Who He really is.

John 6:17

The Savior of the World

It is wonderful to see how God has blessed the simple testimony of the woman. Many come to faith in the Lord Jesus through her testimony. And what did her testimony consist of? Of nothing but acknowledging that her conscience has been brought into the light. She has learned to see herself as a sinner in God’s light. That light did not consume her, for it came to her in Him Who at the same time revealed to her the love of the Father. Her honest testimony is good proof that the heart hides nothing and knows how to appreciate grace. This is opposite to using grace as a cover for sin (Jude 1:4).

Through the word of the woman’s testimony, the Samaritans are attracted to the grace and truth revealed in Christ. They go to Him and ask Him to stay with them. This is always the result of a true work of the Spirit in heart and conscience. Someone who is convinced of it will always desire the Lord Jesus to stay with him, even if he does not yet fully know Who He is (Luke 24:29). It may also be that someone who is convinced by Christ has the wish to accompany Him (Luke 8:38). This reflects the same desire.

The reaction of the Lord to such desires depends on the work He wants the newly converted to do. In this case, He responds to their request by staying with them for another two days. Those must have been wonderful days, with a lot of teaching about the Father. The result of His stay is an increase of people who believe in Him. He is believed for His word, without asking for a sign. Initially He is recognized by some as a Prophet (John 4:16-19; 29), next He is recognized by many as “the Savior of the world”.

He is the Savior, not only for the Jews, but for the world (1 John 4:14). The Samaritans who come to faith in Him are proof of this. They have heard Him and are convinced by His word inwardly that He has also come to save them.

When the word of Christ is believed, there is a connection between the heart and Him. He reveals Himself by what He says. That was the case then and it is no different now. Here the word of Christ receives its full value while faith gets its blessed result in the acknowledgment of Who He really is.

John 6:18

The Savior of the World

It is wonderful to see how God has blessed the simple testimony of the woman. Many come to faith in the Lord Jesus through her testimony. And what did her testimony consist of? Of nothing but acknowledging that her conscience has been brought into the light. She has learned to see herself as a sinner in God’s light. That light did not consume her, for it came to her in Him Who at the same time revealed to her the love of the Father. Her honest testimony is good proof that the heart hides nothing and knows how to appreciate grace. This is opposite to using grace as a cover for sin (Jude 1:4).

Through the word of the woman’s testimony, the Samaritans are attracted to the grace and truth revealed in Christ. They go to Him and ask Him to stay with them. This is always the result of a true work of the Spirit in heart and conscience. Someone who is convinced of it will always desire the Lord Jesus to stay with him, even if he does not yet fully know Who He is (Luke 24:29). It may also be that someone who is convinced by Christ has the wish to accompany Him (Luke 8:38). This reflects the same desire.

The reaction of the Lord to such desires depends on the work He wants the newly converted to do. In this case, He responds to their request by staying with them for another two days. Those must have been wonderful days, with a lot of teaching about the Father. The result of His stay is an increase of people who believe in Him. He is believed for His word, without asking for a sign. Initially He is recognized by some as a Prophet (John 4:16-19; 29), next He is recognized by many as “the Savior of the world”.

He is the Savior, not only for the Jews, but for the world (1 John 4:14). The Samaritans who come to faith in Him are proof of this. They have heard Him and are convinced by His word inwardly that He has also come to save them.

When the word of Christ is believed, there is a connection between the heart and Him. He reveals Himself by what He says. That was the case then and it is no different now. Here the word of Christ receives its full value while faith gets its blessed result in the acknowledgment of Who He really is.

John 6:19

The Savior of the World

It is wonderful to see how God has blessed the simple testimony of the woman. Many come to faith in the Lord Jesus through her testimony. And what did her testimony consist of? Of nothing but acknowledging that her conscience has been brought into the light. She has learned to see herself as a sinner in God’s light. That light did not consume her, for it came to her in Him Who at the same time revealed to her the love of the Father. Her honest testimony is good proof that the heart hides nothing and knows how to appreciate grace. This is opposite to using grace as a cover for sin (Jude 1:4).

Through the word of the woman’s testimony, the Samaritans are attracted to the grace and truth revealed in Christ. They go to Him and ask Him to stay with them. This is always the result of a true work of the Spirit in heart and conscience. Someone who is convinced of it will always desire the Lord Jesus to stay with him, even if he does not yet fully know Who He is (Luke 24:29). It may also be that someone who is convinced by Christ has the wish to accompany Him (Luke 8:38). This reflects the same desire.

The reaction of the Lord to such desires depends on the work He wants the newly converted to do. In this case, He responds to their request by staying with them for another two days. Those must have been wonderful days, with a lot of teaching about the Father. The result of His stay is an increase of people who believe in Him. He is believed for His word, without asking for a sign. Initially He is recognized by some as a Prophet (John 4:16-19; 29), next He is recognized by many as “the Savior of the world”.

He is the Savior, not only for the Jews, but for the world (1 John 4:14). The Samaritans who come to faith in Him are proof of this. They have heard Him and are convinced by His word inwardly that He has also come to save them.

When the word of Christ is believed, there is a connection between the heart and Him. He reveals Himself by what He says. That was the case then and it is no different now. Here the word of Christ receives its full value while faith gets its blessed result in the acknowledgment of Who He really is.

John 6:20

The Lord Goes Into Galilee

When the two days are over, the Lord leaves the area of Samaria to take again His place among the despised and humble in Galilee. According to the prophecy of Isaiah this is the area of His service (Isaiah 9:1-2). He may be the Savior of the world, but He does not forget His people Israel. In the son of the royal official we see a picture of this (John 4:46-54). After the two days of testimony in the world, in which we can see a picture of the present time in which the Lord Jesus is revealed as Savior of the world and a people of worshipers of the Father is formed, He picks up the thread with His people Israel again.

On the one hand He fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah by living in Galilee. On the other hand He left Judea because they do not want Him there. There He is not given the honor that is due to Him. Now He did not come to claim that honor, therefore He left Judea. He did not come to seek His own honor, but the honor of Him Who sent Him.

In Galilee He does get honor. They love to receive Him. This has not to do with the faith in His words, as with the Samaritans, but with what they have seen of Him in Jerusalem. There they have seen how He has been working in grace and has healed people.

John 6:21

The Lord Goes Into Galilee

When the two days are over, the Lord leaves the area of Samaria to take again His place among the despised and humble in Galilee. According to the prophecy of Isaiah this is the area of His service (Isaiah 9:1-2). He may be the Savior of the world, but He does not forget His people Israel. In the son of the royal official we see a picture of this (John 4:46-54). After the two days of testimony in the world, in which we can see a picture of the present time in which the Lord Jesus is revealed as Savior of the world and a people of worshipers of the Father is formed, He picks up the thread with His people Israel again.

On the one hand He fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah by living in Galilee. On the other hand He left Judea because they do not want Him there. There He is not given the honor that is due to Him. Now He did not come to claim that honor, therefore He left Judea. He did not come to seek His own honor, but the honor of Him Who sent Him.

In Galilee He does get honor. They love to receive Him. This has not to do with the faith in His words, as with the Samaritans, but with what they have seen of Him in Jerusalem. There they have seen how He has been working in grace and has healed people.

John 6:22

The Lord Goes Into Galilee

When the two days are over, the Lord leaves the area of Samaria to take again His place among the despised and humble in Galilee. According to the prophecy of Isaiah this is the area of His service (Isaiah 9:1-2). He may be the Savior of the world, but He does not forget His people Israel. In the son of the royal official we see a picture of this (John 4:46-54). After the two days of testimony in the world, in which we can see a picture of the present time in which the Lord Jesus is revealed as Savior of the world and a people of worshipers of the Father is formed, He picks up the thread with His people Israel again.

On the one hand He fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah by living in Galilee. On the other hand He left Judea because they do not want Him there. There He is not given the honor that is due to Him. Now He did not come to claim that honor, therefore He left Judea. He did not come to seek His own honor, but the honor of Him Who sent Him.

In Galilee He does get honor. They love to receive Him. This has not to do with the faith in His words, as with the Samaritans, but with what they have seen of Him in Jerusalem. There they have seen how He has been working in grace and has healed people.

John 6:23

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:24

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:25

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:26

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:27

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:28

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:29

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:30

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:31

The Son of a Royal Official Healed

Again the Lord comes to Cana in Galilee. As a reminder, John adds that this is the place where He had made the water (for purification) wine (of joy). There is no more joy in that place, as death threatens to enter. There is a royal official in Capernaum, someone from the court of Herod, whose son is sick. It is a disease that will lead to death if no wonder of God happens.

At this moment, the Lord visits Cana again. Again He is in time to show the glory of the Father. Besides purification and joy He also brings life and healing. The royal official shows faith in Christ from Whom he hears that He has come to Galilee. His fame has hastened ahead of Him.

The royal official comes from Capernaum to Cana and goes to the Lord Jesus. He asks Him to come with him. He makes his need known to Him. It is about his son who is so sick, that he is about to die. Therefore his request is if He wants to heal him. While the royal official believes in the healing power of Christ, his faith is limited. He believes that the Lord should go to his son, as if He can only heal his son through His personal presence. But presence or absence is of no relevance to the Son of God. These are only circumstances and He, Who is God, is above them.

He points out to the royal official the nature of his faith which requires signs and wonders. It is the typical characteristic of a Jewish faith that believes only when it sees proof. The faith of a heathen chief was greater (Luke 7:7). Although the words of the Lord reveal the weakness of the royal official’s faith, his weak faith persists. He is not discouraged and implores Him to come with him before his child dies.

A trial of faith by the Lord is aimed at making the wonder greater. Through his persevering faith, the royal official gets more than he asks and hopes for. He gets a direct hearing. Through his perseverance he shows the characteristics of real faith. He takes God at His Word, without signs, wonders and feelings. He no longer insists that the Lord must come with him, but he goes away in faith.

The Lord is so oncoming that the man does not even have to wait until he is at home to see with his own eyes the result of the word of Christ and to see his faith confirmed in it. While he is on his way, his slaves meet him with the message that his child is alive. They use the same words as Christ by talking about ‘living’, without having heard Him say those words. They have seen the effect of Christ’s word at the moment He spoke it, when they saw that life flowed back into the mortally sick child.

The slaves confirmed to the royal official what the Lord had said. The royal official wants to know at what time his son began to get better. In the absence of their lord, the slaves will have paid even more attention to the condition of the child, so that they can tell him the right moment of the beginning of the healing. It indicates a good relationship between the royal official and his slaves. The father also knows what time it was when the Lord spoke the words to him that his son lived.

The words of the Lord are life. In Him is life and He reveals it on the basis of faith. The result is life not only for the child, but also for the royal official and his whole household, because all come to faith in the Son of God.

This wonder is indicated by John as the second sign of the Lord Jesus. In the first sign joy is central. In this second sign life is central. Without life that He gives, there can be no joy.

John 6:33

Bethesda

The next three chapters, John 5-7, belong together. They all start with a history. Each history illustrates a truth about which the Lord Jesus teaches further in that chapter. In John 5 it concerns a lame man who illustrates the powerlessness of Israel under the law. About this man and the wonder of his healing we only read in this Gospel. In the teaching that the Lord connects to it we see that He is the Son of God who not only gives strength, but life as well. In John 6, He speaks of Himself as the bread that has descended from heaven after satisfying a crowd with bread. That bread is the flesh of the Son of Man that is eaten to get eternal life. In John 7 we see Him at the Feast of Booths, to which He attaches teaching about the Holy Spirit. In everything we see the glory of His Person.

Again the Lord goes up to Jerusalem. In this Gospel we often see Him in Jerusalem, while the other evangelists follow Him especially in His service in Galilee. He goes to Jerusalem on the occasion of “a feast of the Jews” which in all probability is the Passover. If so, there are four Passover feasts in this Gospel (John 2:23; John 5:1; John 6:4; John 11:55). The first Passover, in John 2:23, was before the Lord began His public service. The three following Passover feasts make it clear that the Lord performed His public service in Israel for three years.

John points to a special location in Jerusalem: a pool near one of the porticoes of the wall around Jerusalem, the sheep gate. He also gives it its Hebrew nickname, which reads “Bethesda”. When Nehemiah starts repairing the wall around Jerusalem, he begins with the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1). This repair work is done by the priests. Through this gate the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed in the temple.

Because of this we are immediately reminded of the most important thing of city and temple which is to worship God. Restoration of the wall is first of all necessary for the progress of the priestly service. Only of this gate is said in Nehemiah 3 that they consecrated it, i.e. separated it especially for God and dedicated it to Him.

However, John does not draw attention to the sheep entering through the gate, but to a pool nicknamed Bethesda, which means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of grace’. John also mentions that there are five porticoes. The number five indicates responsibility. Israel has failed in its responsibility to obey the law, and as a result, the five porticoes are full of a crowd of sick people suffering from all kinds of ailments. The sheep for the sacrificial service brought into Jerusalem by a celebrating crowd have given way to distress and misery. This is the result of the unfaithfulness of the people.

Yet there remains a glimmer of hope for the crowd of the sick. No matter how much the people have deviated from God and with that have taken on the plagues of all kinds, as God has said, God has shown His mercy again at certain times. From time to time God sends an angel to stir up the water. He who first descends into it then becomes healthy, no matter what sickness he had. However, it is only mercy to someone and not general healing for everyone.

John 6:34

Bethesda

The next three chapters, John 5-7, belong together. They all start with a history. Each history illustrates a truth about which the Lord Jesus teaches further in that chapter. In John 5 it concerns a lame man who illustrates the powerlessness of Israel under the law. About this man and the wonder of his healing we only read in this Gospel. In the teaching that the Lord connects to it we see that He is the Son of God who not only gives strength, but life as well. In John 6, He speaks of Himself as the bread that has descended from heaven after satisfying a crowd with bread. That bread is the flesh of the Son of Man that is eaten to get eternal life. In John 7 we see Him at the Feast of Booths, to which He attaches teaching about the Holy Spirit. In everything we see the glory of His Person.

Again the Lord goes up to Jerusalem. In this Gospel we often see Him in Jerusalem, while the other evangelists follow Him especially in His service in Galilee. He goes to Jerusalem on the occasion of “a feast of the Jews” which in all probability is the Passover. If so, there are four Passover feasts in this Gospel (John 2:23; John 5:1; John 6:4; John 11:55). The first Passover, in John 2:23, was before the Lord began His public service. The three following Passover feasts make it clear that the Lord performed His public service in Israel for three years.

John points to a special location in Jerusalem: a pool near one of the porticoes of the wall around Jerusalem, the sheep gate. He also gives it its Hebrew nickname, which reads “Bethesda”. When Nehemiah starts repairing the wall around Jerusalem, he begins with the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1). This repair work is done by the priests. Through this gate the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed in the temple.

Because of this we are immediately reminded of the most important thing of city and temple which is to worship God. Restoration of the wall is first of all necessary for the progress of the priestly service. Only of this gate is said in Nehemiah 3 that they consecrated it, i.e. separated it especially for God and dedicated it to Him.

However, John does not draw attention to the sheep entering through the gate, but to a pool nicknamed Bethesda, which means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of grace’. John also mentions that there are five porticoes. The number five indicates responsibility. Israel has failed in its responsibility to obey the law, and as a result, the five porticoes are full of a crowd of sick people suffering from all kinds of ailments. The sheep for the sacrificial service brought into Jerusalem by a celebrating crowd have given way to distress and misery. This is the result of the unfaithfulness of the people.

Yet there remains a glimmer of hope for the crowd of the sick. No matter how much the people have deviated from God and with that have taken on the plagues of all kinds, as God has said, God has shown His mercy again at certain times. From time to time God sends an angel to stir up the water. He who first descends into it then becomes healthy, no matter what sickness he had. However, it is only mercy to someone and not general healing for everyone.

John 6:35

Bethesda

The next three chapters, John 5-7, belong together. They all start with a history. Each history illustrates a truth about which the Lord Jesus teaches further in that chapter. In John 5 it concerns a lame man who illustrates the powerlessness of Israel under the law. About this man and the wonder of his healing we only read in this Gospel. In the teaching that the Lord connects to it we see that He is the Son of God who not only gives strength, but life as well. In John 6, He speaks of Himself as the bread that has descended from heaven after satisfying a crowd with bread. That bread is the flesh of the Son of Man that is eaten to get eternal life. In John 7 we see Him at the Feast of Booths, to which He attaches teaching about the Holy Spirit. In everything we see the glory of His Person.

Again the Lord goes up to Jerusalem. In this Gospel we often see Him in Jerusalem, while the other evangelists follow Him especially in His service in Galilee. He goes to Jerusalem on the occasion of “a feast of the Jews” which in all probability is the Passover. If so, there are four Passover feasts in this Gospel (John 2:23; John 5:1; John 6:4; John 11:55). The first Passover, in John 2:23, was before the Lord began His public service. The three following Passover feasts make it clear that the Lord performed His public service in Israel for three years.

John points to a special location in Jerusalem: a pool near one of the porticoes of the wall around Jerusalem, the sheep gate. He also gives it its Hebrew nickname, which reads “Bethesda”. When Nehemiah starts repairing the wall around Jerusalem, he begins with the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1). This repair work is done by the priests. Through this gate the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed in the temple.

Because of this we are immediately reminded of the most important thing of city and temple which is to worship God. Restoration of the wall is first of all necessary for the progress of the priestly service. Only of this gate is said in Nehemiah 3 that they consecrated it, i.e. separated it especially for God and dedicated it to Him.

However, John does not draw attention to the sheep entering through the gate, but to a pool nicknamed Bethesda, which means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of grace’. John also mentions that there are five porticoes. The number five indicates responsibility. Israel has failed in its responsibility to obey the law, and as a result, the five porticoes are full of a crowd of sick people suffering from all kinds of ailments. The sheep for the sacrificial service brought into Jerusalem by a celebrating crowd have given way to distress and misery. This is the result of the unfaithfulness of the people.

Yet there remains a glimmer of hope for the crowd of the sick. No matter how much the people have deviated from God and with that have taken on the plagues of all kinds, as God has said, God has shown His mercy again at certain times. From time to time God sends an angel to stir up the water. He who first descends into it then becomes healthy, no matter what sickness he had. However, it is only mercy to someone and not general healing for everyone.

John 6:36

Bethesda

The next three chapters, John 5-7, belong together. They all start with a history. Each history illustrates a truth about which the Lord Jesus teaches further in that chapter. In John 5 it concerns a lame man who illustrates the powerlessness of Israel under the law. About this man and the wonder of his healing we only read in this Gospel. In the teaching that the Lord connects to it we see that He is the Son of God who not only gives strength, but life as well. In John 6, He speaks of Himself as the bread that has descended from heaven after satisfying a crowd with bread. That bread is the flesh of the Son of Man that is eaten to get eternal life. In John 7 we see Him at the Feast of Booths, to which He attaches teaching about the Holy Spirit. In everything we see the glory of His Person.

Again the Lord goes up to Jerusalem. In this Gospel we often see Him in Jerusalem, while the other evangelists follow Him especially in His service in Galilee. He goes to Jerusalem on the occasion of “a feast of the Jews” which in all probability is the Passover. If so, there are four Passover feasts in this Gospel (John 2:23; John 5:1; John 6:4; John 11:55). The first Passover, in John 2:23, was before the Lord began His public service. The three following Passover feasts make it clear that the Lord performed His public service in Israel for three years.

John points to a special location in Jerusalem: a pool near one of the porticoes of the wall around Jerusalem, the sheep gate. He also gives it its Hebrew nickname, which reads “Bethesda”. When Nehemiah starts repairing the wall around Jerusalem, he begins with the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1). This repair work is done by the priests. Through this gate the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed in the temple.

Because of this we are immediately reminded of the most important thing of city and temple which is to worship God. Restoration of the wall is first of all necessary for the progress of the priestly service. Only of this gate is said in Nehemiah 3 that they consecrated it, i.e. separated it especially for God and dedicated it to Him.

However, John does not draw attention to the sheep entering through the gate, but to a pool nicknamed Bethesda, which means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of grace’. John also mentions that there are five porticoes. The number five indicates responsibility. Israel has failed in its responsibility to obey the law, and as a result, the five porticoes are full of a crowd of sick people suffering from all kinds of ailments. The sheep for the sacrificial service brought into Jerusalem by a celebrating crowd have given way to distress and misery. This is the result of the unfaithfulness of the people.

Yet there remains a glimmer of hope for the crowd of the sick. No matter how much the people have deviated from God and with that have taken on the plagues of all kinds, as God has said, God has shown His mercy again at certain times. From time to time God sends an angel to stir up the water. He who first descends into it then becomes healthy, no matter what sickness he had. However, it is only mercy to someone and not general healing for everyone.

John 6:37

The Lord Heals a Sick Man.

Among the many sick is a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. This man is a picture of the Jews under the law. After all, Israel was given the law two years after their exodus from Egypt, and after that, for thirty-eight years, they wandered through the wilderness as a people under the law. It has become clear that they didn’t keep the law, because many fell in the wilderness, although God also showed His grace. By their disobedience to the law, the people have forfeited all rights to blessing. In his own strength, man can never come into possession of the forfeited blessings. What applies to Israel as a people applies to every person as a sinner (Romans 5:6-10).

Then the Lord Jesus appears. Without the man having asked for it, He comes to him. He knows the man’s past and knows that he has been ill for a long time. The Lord asks him if he wishes to get well. Of course He knows that, but He wants to hear it from the man’s mouth. After His meetings with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we see here another example of how the Lord approaches the individual and how close He therefore comes to him or her.

The man tells how utterly hopeless his situation is. There is no man who cares about him. Everyone has enough to do with himself and his own misery. Nor does he himself have the strength to be the first to reach the water when it is stirred up. He is a paragon of misery and despair, without any hope. The nature of his illness makes it absolutely impossible for him to benefit from the occasionally offered means of healing, because for that he needs strength. In the man’s condition we see the characteristics both of sin and of the law.

The man wants to, but is not able to, because he does not have the strength for it. He is the illustration of a truth which is extensively dealt with in the letter to the Romans, namely the misery caused by the law to people who do want to live to God’s honor, but discover that there is no power within them to do so (Romans 7:24). The solution to that misery is to renounce oneself and look to the Lord Jesus (Romans 7:25) and to what God has done in Him (Romans 8:3). “The Law was given through Moses”, but “grace and truth was realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The man is going to experience this when he is healed by the Lord.

Then the Lord speaks the liberating word with in it the power to obey it and experience its blessing. As with the son of the royal official in the previous chapter, the word of the Lord is a word of Spirit and life. The word of the Lord is full of life and power. When He speaks a word, always something happens. One single word of Him puts aside thirty-eight years of illness forever and undoes its consequences. The man becomes healthy.

The Lord not only heals, but also gives the man the strength to take up what he has been lying on, and he actually does that. The pallet that has carried him all this time, he now takes under his arm and he walks away. On the word of the Lord there is an immediate result. As already indicated, this is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Son of God Who does what is impossible for the law because of the powerlessness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

In this third sign we see that healing cannot be found on the basis of the law, but only in Him Who is full of grace and truth. The teaching that the Lord connects to this event in the course of this chapter goes much deeper. He makes Himself known as the Son of God Who brings the dead to life. Reason for this is the comment that the Jews have on this healing.

John 6:38

The Lord Heals a Sick Man.

Among the many sick is a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. This man is a picture of the Jews under the law. After all, Israel was given the law two years after their exodus from Egypt, and after that, for thirty-eight years, they wandered through the wilderness as a people under the law. It has become clear that they didn’t keep the law, because many fell in the wilderness, although God also showed His grace. By their disobedience to the law, the people have forfeited all rights to blessing. In his own strength, man can never come into possession of the forfeited blessings. What applies to Israel as a people applies to every person as a sinner (Romans 5:6-10).

Then the Lord Jesus appears. Without the man having asked for it, He comes to him. He knows the man’s past and knows that he has been ill for a long time. The Lord asks him if he wishes to get well. Of course He knows that, but He wants to hear it from the man’s mouth. After His meetings with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we see here another example of how the Lord approaches the individual and how close He therefore comes to him or her.

The man tells how utterly hopeless his situation is. There is no man who cares about him. Everyone has enough to do with himself and his own misery. Nor does he himself have the strength to be the first to reach the water when it is stirred up. He is a paragon of misery and despair, without any hope. The nature of his illness makes it absolutely impossible for him to benefit from the occasionally offered means of healing, because for that he needs strength. In the man’s condition we see the characteristics both of sin and of the law.

The man wants to, but is not able to, because he does not have the strength for it. He is the illustration of a truth which is extensively dealt with in the letter to the Romans, namely the misery caused by the law to people who do want to live to God’s honor, but discover that there is no power within them to do so (Romans 7:24). The solution to that misery is to renounce oneself and look to the Lord Jesus (Romans 7:25) and to what God has done in Him (Romans 8:3). “The Law was given through Moses”, but “grace and truth was realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The man is going to experience this when he is healed by the Lord.

Then the Lord speaks the liberating word with in it the power to obey it and experience its blessing. As with the son of the royal official in the previous chapter, the word of the Lord is a word of Spirit and life. The word of the Lord is full of life and power. When He speaks a word, always something happens. One single word of Him puts aside thirty-eight years of illness forever and undoes its consequences. The man becomes healthy.

The Lord not only heals, but also gives the man the strength to take up what he has been lying on, and he actually does that. The pallet that has carried him all this time, he now takes under his arm and he walks away. On the word of the Lord there is an immediate result. As already indicated, this is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Son of God Who does what is impossible for the law because of the powerlessness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

In this third sign we see that healing cannot be found on the basis of the law, but only in Him Who is full of grace and truth. The teaching that the Lord connects to this event in the course of this chapter goes much deeper. He makes Himself known as the Son of God Who brings the dead to life. Reason for this is the comment that the Jews have on this healing.

John 6:39

The Lord Heals a Sick Man.

Among the many sick is a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. This man is a picture of the Jews under the law. After all, Israel was given the law two years after their exodus from Egypt, and after that, for thirty-eight years, they wandered through the wilderness as a people under the law. It has become clear that they didn’t keep the law, because many fell in the wilderness, although God also showed His grace. By their disobedience to the law, the people have forfeited all rights to blessing. In his own strength, man can never come into possession of the forfeited blessings. What applies to Israel as a people applies to every person as a sinner (Romans 5:6-10).

Then the Lord Jesus appears. Without the man having asked for it, He comes to him. He knows the man’s past and knows that he has been ill for a long time. The Lord asks him if he wishes to get well. Of course He knows that, but He wants to hear it from the man’s mouth. After His meetings with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we see here another example of how the Lord approaches the individual and how close He therefore comes to him or her.

The man tells how utterly hopeless his situation is. There is no man who cares about him. Everyone has enough to do with himself and his own misery. Nor does he himself have the strength to be the first to reach the water when it is stirred up. He is a paragon of misery and despair, without any hope. The nature of his illness makes it absolutely impossible for him to benefit from the occasionally offered means of healing, because for that he needs strength. In the man’s condition we see the characteristics both of sin and of the law.

The man wants to, but is not able to, because he does not have the strength for it. He is the illustration of a truth which is extensively dealt with in the letter to the Romans, namely the misery caused by the law to people who do want to live to God’s honor, but discover that there is no power within them to do so (Romans 7:24). The solution to that misery is to renounce oneself and look to the Lord Jesus (Romans 7:25) and to what God has done in Him (Romans 8:3). “The Law was given through Moses”, but “grace and truth was realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The man is going to experience this when he is healed by the Lord.

Then the Lord speaks the liberating word with in it the power to obey it and experience its blessing. As with the son of the royal official in the previous chapter, the word of the Lord is a word of Spirit and life. The word of the Lord is full of life and power. When He speaks a word, always something happens. One single word of Him puts aside thirty-eight years of illness forever and undoes its consequences. The man becomes healthy.

The Lord not only heals, but also gives the man the strength to take up what he has been lying on, and he actually does that. The pallet that has carried him all this time, he now takes under his arm and he walks away. On the word of the Lord there is an immediate result. As already indicated, this is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Son of God Who does what is impossible for the law because of the powerlessness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

In this third sign we see that healing cannot be found on the basis of the law, but only in Him Who is full of grace and truth. The teaching that the Lord connects to this event in the course of this chapter goes much deeper. He makes Himself known as the Son of God Who brings the dead to life. Reason for this is the comment that the Jews have on this healing.

John 6:40

The Lord Heals a Sick Man.

Among the many sick is a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. This man is a picture of the Jews under the law. After all, Israel was given the law two years after their exodus from Egypt, and after that, for thirty-eight years, they wandered through the wilderness as a people under the law. It has become clear that they didn’t keep the law, because many fell in the wilderness, although God also showed His grace. By their disobedience to the law, the people have forfeited all rights to blessing. In his own strength, man can never come into possession of the forfeited blessings. What applies to Israel as a people applies to every person as a sinner (Romans 5:6-10).

Then the Lord Jesus appears. Without the man having asked for it, He comes to him. He knows the man’s past and knows that he has been ill for a long time. The Lord asks him if he wishes to get well. Of course He knows that, but He wants to hear it from the man’s mouth. After His meetings with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we see here another example of how the Lord approaches the individual and how close He therefore comes to him or her.

The man tells how utterly hopeless his situation is. There is no man who cares about him. Everyone has enough to do with himself and his own misery. Nor does he himself have the strength to be the first to reach the water when it is stirred up. He is a paragon of misery and despair, without any hope. The nature of his illness makes it absolutely impossible for him to benefit from the occasionally offered means of healing, because for that he needs strength. In the man’s condition we see the characteristics both of sin and of the law.

The man wants to, but is not able to, because he does not have the strength for it. He is the illustration of a truth which is extensively dealt with in the letter to the Romans, namely the misery caused by the law to people who do want to live to God’s honor, but discover that there is no power within them to do so (Romans 7:24). The solution to that misery is to renounce oneself and look to the Lord Jesus (Romans 7:25) and to what God has done in Him (Romans 8:3). “The Law was given through Moses”, but “grace and truth was realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The man is going to experience this when he is healed by the Lord.

Then the Lord speaks the liberating word with in it the power to obey it and experience its blessing. As with the son of the royal official in the previous chapter, the word of the Lord is a word of Spirit and life. The word of the Lord is full of life and power. When He speaks a word, always something happens. One single word of Him puts aside thirty-eight years of illness forever and undoes its consequences. The man becomes healthy.

The Lord not only heals, but also gives the man the strength to take up what he has been lying on, and he actually does that. The pallet that has carried him all this time, he now takes under his arm and he walks away. On the word of the Lord there is an immediate result. As already indicated, this is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Son of God Who does what is impossible for the law because of the powerlessness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

In this third sign we see that healing cannot be found on the basis of the law, but only in Him Who is full of grace and truth. The teaching that the Lord connects to this event in the course of this chapter goes much deeper. He makes Himself known as the Son of God Who brings the dead to life. Reason for this is the comment that the Jews have on this healing.

John 6:41

The Lord Heals a Sick Man.

Among the many sick is a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. This man is a picture of the Jews under the law. After all, Israel was given the law two years after their exodus from Egypt, and after that, for thirty-eight years, they wandered through the wilderness as a people under the law. It has become clear that they didn’t keep the law, because many fell in the wilderness, although God also showed His grace. By their disobedience to the law, the people have forfeited all rights to blessing. In his own strength, man can never come into possession of the forfeited blessings. What applies to Israel as a people applies to every person as a sinner (Romans 5:6-10).

Then the Lord Jesus appears. Without the man having asked for it, He comes to him. He knows the man’s past and knows that he has been ill for a long time. The Lord asks him if he wishes to get well. Of course He knows that, but He wants to hear it from the man’s mouth. After His meetings with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we see here another example of how the Lord approaches the individual and how close He therefore comes to him or her.

The man tells how utterly hopeless his situation is. There is no man who cares about him. Everyone has enough to do with himself and his own misery. Nor does he himself have the strength to be the first to reach the water when it is stirred up. He is a paragon of misery and despair, without any hope. The nature of his illness makes it absolutely impossible for him to benefit from the occasionally offered means of healing, because for that he needs strength. In the man’s condition we see the characteristics both of sin and of the law.

The man wants to, but is not able to, because he does not have the strength for it. He is the illustration of a truth which is extensively dealt with in the letter to the Romans, namely the misery caused by the law to people who do want to live to God’s honor, but discover that there is no power within them to do so (Romans 7:24). The solution to that misery is to renounce oneself and look to the Lord Jesus (Romans 7:25) and to what God has done in Him (Romans 8:3). “The Law was given through Moses”, but “grace and truth was realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The man is going to experience this when he is healed by the Lord.

Then the Lord speaks the liberating word with in it the power to obey it and experience its blessing. As with the son of the royal official in the previous chapter, the word of the Lord is a word of Spirit and life. The word of the Lord is full of life and power. When He speaks a word, always something happens. One single word of Him puts aside thirty-eight years of illness forever and undoes its consequences. The man becomes healthy.

The Lord not only heals, but also gives the man the strength to take up what he has been lying on, and he actually does that. The pallet that has carried him all this time, he now takes under his arm and he walks away. On the word of the Lord there is an immediate result. As already indicated, this is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Son of God Who does what is impossible for the law because of the powerlessness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

In this third sign we see that healing cannot be found on the basis of the law, but only in Him Who is full of grace and truth. The teaching that the Lord connects to this event in the course of this chapter goes much deeper. He makes Himself known as the Son of God Who brings the dead to life. Reason for this is the comment that the Jews have on this healing.

John 6:42

The Jews and the Cured Man

It is the Sabbath when the Lord heals the man. The first time there is mention of the Sabbath in the Word of God, without mentioning that name, is at creation (Genesis 2:2). There we see the basic meaning. It is the rest of God after He created the first creation. The sin of man put an end to that rest (John 5:17). The Jews do not realize this. They can only think in the line of the law and the tradition. They want to rest in their God-given ordinances, which they do not keep, but which they still hold on to.

They do not see how hopelessly they are condemned by God’s ordinances, but instead boast of them. They have no sense of grace, as people who use the law as the norm for their own life and the life of others always lack the sense of grace. It is the harshness of people who have no idea of their own inability to keep the law. Otherwise they would rejoice that a human being has become healthy and have seen the Sabbath as a day of God’s grace. But they have made the Sabbath a yoke. This can only lead to a conflict with the Lord Jesus.

Every time the Sabbath is mentioned in connection with Christ, He deprives the Sabbath of the meaning the Jews gave it (Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 1:21-31; Mark 2:23-28; Mark 3:2-6; Luke 4:31-37; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 13:10-16; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; John 7:22-23; John 9:14-16). It seems that He deliberately performs so many healings on the Sabbath to make it clear that the condition to keep it is lacking. By acting on the Sabbath, He shows that the whole system of which the Sabbath is the main characteristic, the system of the law, has been set aside by Him.

The man does not allow to be bound by these Jews for a walk under the law. He keeps the word of the Lord and appeals to it. Because He has said it, it is good. For us as well, this is the only right reaction to legislative thinking of ourselves or others. The answer of the man is at the same time a rejection of the self-satisfied observance of the Sabbath by the Jews which reveals that they are turning against their Messiah.

The reaction of the Jews to the answer of the man shows their contempt for the Lord. They speak with contempt of “the man”, even though they probably knew Who that “man” was, for the Lord had already done many signs in Jerusalem. Because of his powerlessness the cured man has not yet been able to meet Him, bound as he was to his place at the pool. The Lord had not revealed Himself to him either, as He had done with the Samaritan woman (John 4:26). He deals with every human being differently because He takes a different path with every human being whom He connects to Himself.

The Lord Himself has left because He does not want publicity for Himself. He has not called the man as one of His disciples who follow Him on His way.

John 6:43

The Jews and the Cured Man

It is the Sabbath when the Lord heals the man. The first time there is mention of the Sabbath in the Word of God, without mentioning that name, is at creation (Genesis 2:2). There we see the basic meaning. It is the rest of God after He created the first creation. The sin of man put an end to that rest (John 5:17). The Jews do not realize this. They can only think in the line of the law and the tradition. They want to rest in their God-given ordinances, which they do not keep, but which they still hold on to.

They do not see how hopelessly they are condemned by God’s ordinances, but instead boast of them. They have no sense of grace, as people who use the law as the norm for their own life and the life of others always lack the sense of grace. It is the harshness of people who have no idea of their own inability to keep the law. Otherwise they would rejoice that a human being has become healthy and have seen the Sabbath as a day of God’s grace. But they have made the Sabbath a yoke. This can only lead to a conflict with the Lord Jesus.

Every time the Sabbath is mentioned in connection with Christ, He deprives the Sabbath of the meaning the Jews gave it (Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 1:21-31; Mark 2:23-28; Mark 3:2-6; Luke 4:31-37; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 13:10-16; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; John 7:22-23; John 9:14-16). It seems that He deliberately performs so many healings on the Sabbath to make it clear that the condition to keep it is lacking. By acting on the Sabbath, He shows that the whole system of which the Sabbath is the main characteristic, the system of the law, has been set aside by Him.

The man does not allow to be bound by these Jews for a walk under the law. He keeps the word of the Lord and appeals to it. Because He has said it, it is good. For us as well, this is the only right reaction to legislative thinking of ourselves or others. The answer of the man is at the same time a rejection of the self-satisfied observance of the Sabbath by the Jews which reveals that they are turning against their Messiah.

The reaction of the Jews to the answer of the man shows their contempt for the Lord. They speak with contempt of “the man”, even though they probably knew Who that “man” was, for the Lord had already done many signs in Jerusalem. Because of his powerlessness the cured man has not yet been able to meet Him, bound as he was to his place at the pool. The Lord had not revealed Himself to him either, as He had done with the Samaritan woman (John 4:26). He deals with every human being differently because He takes a different path with every human being whom He connects to Himself.

The Lord Himself has left because He does not want publicity for Himself. He has not called the man as one of His disciples who follow Him on His way.

John 6:44

The Jews and the Cured Man

It is the Sabbath when the Lord heals the man. The first time there is mention of the Sabbath in the Word of God, without mentioning that name, is at creation (Genesis 2:2). There we see the basic meaning. It is the rest of God after He created the first creation. The sin of man put an end to that rest (John 5:17). The Jews do not realize this. They can only think in the line of the law and the tradition. They want to rest in their God-given ordinances, which they do not keep, but which they still hold on to.

They do not see how hopelessly they are condemned by God’s ordinances, but instead boast of them. They have no sense of grace, as people who use the law as the norm for their own life and the life of others always lack the sense of grace. It is the harshness of people who have no idea of their own inability to keep the law. Otherwise they would rejoice that a human being has become healthy and have seen the Sabbath as a day of God’s grace. But they have made the Sabbath a yoke. This can only lead to a conflict with the Lord Jesus.

Every time the Sabbath is mentioned in connection with Christ, He deprives the Sabbath of the meaning the Jews gave it (Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 1:21-31; Mark 2:23-28; Mark 3:2-6; Luke 4:31-37; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 13:10-16; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; John 7:22-23; John 9:14-16). It seems that He deliberately performs so many healings on the Sabbath to make it clear that the condition to keep it is lacking. By acting on the Sabbath, He shows that the whole system of which the Sabbath is the main characteristic, the system of the law, has been set aside by Him.

The man does not allow to be bound by these Jews for a walk under the law. He keeps the word of the Lord and appeals to it. Because He has said it, it is good. For us as well, this is the only right reaction to legislative thinking of ourselves or others. The answer of the man is at the same time a rejection of the self-satisfied observance of the Sabbath by the Jews which reveals that they are turning against their Messiah.

The reaction of the Jews to the answer of the man shows their contempt for the Lord. They speak with contempt of “the man”, even though they probably knew Who that “man” was, for the Lord had already done many signs in Jerusalem. Because of his powerlessness the cured man has not yet been able to meet Him, bound as he was to his place at the pool. The Lord had not revealed Himself to him either, as He had done with the Samaritan woman (John 4:26). He deals with every human being differently because He takes a different path with every human being whom He connects to Himself.

The Lord Himself has left because He does not want publicity for Himself. He has not called the man as one of His disciples who follow Him on His way.

John 6:45

The Jews and the Cured Man

It is the Sabbath when the Lord heals the man. The first time there is mention of the Sabbath in the Word of God, without mentioning that name, is at creation (Genesis 2:2). There we see the basic meaning. It is the rest of God after He created the first creation. The sin of man put an end to that rest (John 5:17). The Jews do not realize this. They can only think in the line of the law and the tradition. They want to rest in their God-given ordinances, which they do not keep, but which they still hold on to.

They do not see how hopelessly they are condemned by God’s ordinances, but instead boast of them. They have no sense of grace, as people who use the law as the norm for their own life and the life of others always lack the sense of grace. It is the harshness of people who have no idea of their own inability to keep the law. Otherwise they would rejoice that a human being has become healthy and have seen the Sabbath as a day of God’s grace. But they have made the Sabbath a yoke. This can only lead to a conflict with the Lord Jesus.

Every time the Sabbath is mentioned in connection with Christ, He deprives the Sabbath of the meaning the Jews gave it (Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 1:21-31; Mark 2:23-28; Mark 3:2-6; Luke 4:31-37; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 13:10-16; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; John 7:22-23; John 9:14-16). It seems that He deliberately performs so many healings on the Sabbath to make it clear that the condition to keep it is lacking. By acting on the Sabbath, He shows that the whole system of which the Sabbath is the main characteristic, the system of the law, has been set aside by Him.

The man does not allow to be bound by these Jews for a walk under the law. He keeps the word of the Lord and appeals to it. Because He has said it, it is good. For us as well, this is the only right reaction to legislative thinking of ourselves or others. The answer of the man is at the same time a rejection of the self-satisfied observance of the Sabbath by the Jews which reveals that they are turning against their Messiah.

The reaction of the Jews to the answer of the man shows their contempt for the Lord. They speak with contempt of “the man”, even though they probably knew Who that “man” was, for the Lord had already done many signs in Jerusalem. Because of his powerlessness the cured man has not yet been able to meet Him, bound as he was to his place at the pool. The Lord had not revealed Himself to him either, as He had done with the Samaritan woman (John 4:26). He deals with every human being differently because He takes a different path with every human being whom He connects to Himself.

The Lord Himself has left because He does not want publicity for Himself. He has not called the man as one of His disciples who follow Him on His way.

John 6:46

No Rest for the Father and His Son

With the making well of the man the work of the Lord is not yet finished. He still wants to point out something important to the man for the rest of his life. He does not do that immediately, but some time later. For that He seeks the man again. Again the initiative comes from Him.

He finds him in the temple. There the man undoubtedly wanted to thank God for his healing. It is also the appropriate place for further education. Because no matter how great it is to be healed by the Lord Jesus, the underlying problem was still there. That problem is a certain sin that was committed by the man which gave him this disease. He must judge that sin and never allow it into his life again. For that the Lord will also give him the strength if he remains dependent on Him.

By what the Lord says to the man, it becomes clear to him Who made him well. That is what he is going to tell the Jews, because they wanted to know Who made him well. The man seems to act unsuspectingly, out of love for the Lord Jesus, for others to get to know Him as well. He has no suspicion of their enmity. This innocence is beautiful and worthy of imitation.

Through the testimony of the man the Jews get the certainty of what they already suspect. Now they have the evidence in their hands as a weapon to persecute the Lord. We do not read that the Jews said anything to Him, but that they are persecuting Him for what He did on the Sabbath. Yet we read that He answers them. That is because He knows perfectly what is in man. He knows their murderousness because of His mercifulness granted on the Sabbath.

His answer is overwhelming and profound. For faith there is great glory in it, but to unbelief it provides an extra argument to hate Him. He speaks about His fellowship with the Father in the work He and the Father have done so far. What do the Jews know about fellowship with the Father? What do they know about the desires of the Father? He knows the Father and knows that the Father cannot rest in sin, nor can He. It is a wonder of grace that He did not come to judge, but to work.

The works He does are not works of judgment. His works of judgment will surely come on those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sins and who will complete the measure of their sin by rejecting Him. It is not that far yet. He is still busy making His Father known in love and grace. As the Son He has perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and works together with the Father.

The Jews draw the right conclusion from what He says as far as His being equal to God is concerned. Only the Lord Jesus does not make Himself equal with God, He is equal with God, for He is God (John 1:1). Instead of acknowledging that truth, it only increases their murderousness.

Although Christ has taken a subordinate place by coming to earth as a dependent and obedient Man, it is important to hold on to the fact that He never ceases to be the eternal Son of God. As the eternal Son, He never has a subordinate place in relation to the Father, but is one with the Father (John 10:30).

What the Lord says here is considered worse by the Jews than what He has done. Like the breaking of the Sabbath, also this statement leads to an outburst of the depraved mind of the Jews.

John 6:47

No Rest for the Father and His Son

With the making well of the man the work of the Lord is not yet finished. He still wants to point out something important to the man for the rest of his life. He does not do that immediately, but some time later. For that He seeks the man again. Again the initiative comes from Him.

He finds him in the temple. There the man undoubtedly wanted to thank God for his healing. It is also the appropriate place for further education. Because no matter how great it is to be healed by the Lord Jesus, the underlying problem was still there. That problem is a certain sin that was committed by the man which gave him this disease. He must judge that sin and never allow it into his life again. For that the Lord will also give him the strength if he remains dependent on Him.

By what the Lord says to the man, it becomes clear to him Who made him well. That is what he is going to tell the Jews, because they wanted to know Who made him well. The man seems to act unsuspectingly, out of love for the Lord Jesus, for others to get to know Him as well. He has no suspicion of their enmity. This innocence is beautiful and worthy of imitation.

Through the testimony of the man the Jews get the certainty of what they already suspect. Now they have the evidence in their hands as a weapon to persecute the Lord. We do not read that the Jews said anything to Him, but that they are persecuting Him for what He did on the Sabbath. Yet we read that He answers them. That is because He knows perfectly what is in man. He knows their murderousness because of His mercifulness granted on the Sabbath.

His answer is overwhelming and profound. For faith there is great glory in it, but to unbelief it provides an extra argument to hate Him. He speaks about His fellowship with the Father in the work He and the Father have done so far. What do the Jews know about fellowship with the Father? What do they know about the desires of the Father? He knows the Father and knows that the Father cannot rest in sin, nor can He. It is a wonder of grace that He did not come to judge, but to work.

The works He does are not works of judgment. His works of judgment will surely come on those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sins and who will complete the measure of their sin by rejecting Him. It is not that far yet. He is still busy making His Father known in love and grace. As the Son He has perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and works together with the Father.

The Jews draw the right conclusion from what He says as far as His being equal to God is concerned. Only the Lord Jesus does not make Himself equal with God, He is equal with God, for He is God (John 1:1). Instead of acknowledging that truth, it only increases their murderousness.

Although Christ has taken a subordinate place by coming to earth as a dependent and obedient Man, it is important to hold on to the fact that He never ceases to be the eternal Son of God. As the eternal Son, He never has a subordinate place in relation to the Father, but is one with the Father (John 10:30).

What the Lord says here is considered worse by the Jews than what He has done. Like the breaking of the Sabbath, also this statement leads to an outburst of the depraved mind of the Jews.

John 6:48

No Rest for the Father and His Son

With the making well of the man the work of the Lord is not yet finished. He still wants to point out something important to the man for the rest of his life. He does not do that immediately, but some time later. For that He seeks the man again. Again the initiative comes from Him.

He finds him in the temple. There the man undoubtedly wanted to thank God for his healing. It is also the appropriate place for further education. Because no matter how great it is to be healed by the Lord Jesus, the underlying problem was still there. That problem is a certain sin that was committed by the man which gave him this disease. He must judge that sin and never allow it into his life again. For that the Lord will also give him the strength if he remains dependent on Him.

By what the Lord says to the man, it becomes clear to him Who made him well. That is what he is going to tell the Jews, because they wanted to know Who made him well. The man seems to act unsuspectingly, out of love for the Lord Jesus, for others to get to know Him as well. He has no suspicion of their enmity. This innocence is beautiful and worthy of imitation.

Through the testimony of the man the Jews get the certainty of what they already suspect. Now they have the evidence in their hands as a weapon to persecute the Lord. We do not read that the Jews said anything to Him, but that they are persecuting Him for what He did on the Sabbath. Yet we read that He answers them. That is because He knows perfectly what is in man. He knows their murderousness because of His mercifulness granted on the Sabbath.

His answer is overwhelming and profound. For faith there is great glory in it, but to unbelief it provides an extra argument to hate Him. He speaks about His fellowship with the Father in the work He and the Father have done so far. What do the Jews know about fellowship with the Father? What do they know about the desires of the Father? He knows the Father and knows that the Father cannot rest in sin, nor can He. It is a wonder of grace that He did not come to judge, but to work.

The works He does are not works of judgment. His works of judgment will surely come on those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sins and who will complete the measure of their sin by rejecting Him. It is not that far yet. He is still busy making His Father known in love and grace. As the Son He has perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and works together with the Father.

The Jews draw the right conclusion from what He says as far as His being equal to God is concerned. Only the Lord Jesus does not make Himself equal with God, He is equal with God, for He is God (John 1:1). Instead of acknowledging that truth, it only increases their murderousness.

Although Christ has taken a subordinate place by coming to earth as a dependent and obedient Man, it is important to hold on to the fact that He never ceases to be the eternal Son of God. As the eternal Son, He never has a subordinate place in relation to the Father, but is one with the Father (John 10:30).

What the Lord says here is considered worse by the Jews than what He has done. Like the breaking of the Sabbath, also this statement leads to an outburst of the depraved mind of the Jews.

John 6:49

No Rest for the Father and His Son

With the making well of the man the work of the Lord is not yet finished. He still wants to point out something important to the man for the rest of his life. He does not do that immediately, but some time later. For that He seeks the man again. Again the initiative comes from Him.

He finds him in the temple. There the man undoubtedly wanted to thank God for his healing. It is also the appropriate place for further education. Because no matter how great it is to be healed by the Lord Jesus, the underlying problem was still there. That problem is a certain sin that was committed by the man which gave him this disease. He must judge that sin and never allow it into his life again. For that the Lord will also give him the strength if he remains dependent on Him.

By what the Lord says to the man, it becomes clear to him Who made him well. That is what he is going to tell the Jews, because they wanted to know Who made him well. The man seems to act unsuspectingly, out of love for the Lord Jesus, for others to get to know Him as well. He has no suspicion of their enmity. This innocence is beautiful and worthy of imitation.

Through the testimony of the man the Jews get the certainty of what they already suspect. Now they have the evidence in their hands as a weapon to persecute the Lord. We do not read that the Jews said anything to Him, but that they are persecuting Him for what He did on the Sabbath. Yet we read that He answers them. That is because He knows perfectly what is in man. He knows their murderousness because of His mercifulness granted on the Sabbath.

His answer is overwhelming and profound. For faith there is great glory in it, but to unbelief it provides an extra argument to hate Him. He speaks about His fellowship with the Father in the work He and the Father have done so far. What do the Jews know about fellowship with the Father? What do they know about the desires of the Father? He knows the Father and knows that the Father cannot rest in sin, nor can He. It is a wonder of grace that He did not come to judge, but to work.

The works He does are not works of judgment. His works of judgment will surely come on those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sins and who will complete the measure of their sin by rejecting Him. It is not that far yet. He is still busy making His Father known in love and grace. As the Son He has perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and works together with the Father.

The Jews draw the right conclusion from what He says as far as His being equal to God is concerned. Only the Lord Jesus does not make Himself equal with God, He is equal with God, for He is God (John 1:1). Instead of acknowledging that truth, it only increases their murderousness.

Although Christ has taken a subordinate place by coming to earth as a dependent and obedient Man, it is important to hold on to the fact that He never ceases to be the eternal Son of God. As the eternal Son, He never has a subordinate place in relation to the Father, but is one with the Father (John 10:30).

What the Lord says here is considered worse by the Jews than what He has done. Like the breaking of the Sabbath, also this statement leads to an outburst of the depraved mind of the Jews.

John 6:50

No Rest for the Father and His Son

With the making well of the man the work of the Lord is not yet finished. He still wants to point out something important to the man for the rest of his life. He does not do that immediately, but some time later. For that He seeks the man again. Again the initiative comes from Him.

He finds him in the temple. There the man undoubtedly wanted to thank God for his healing. It is also the appropriate place for further education. Because no matter how great it is to be healed by the Lord Jesus, the underlying problem was still there. That problem is a certain sin that was committed by the man which gave him this disease. He must judge that sin and never allow it into his life again. For that the Lord will also give him the strength if he remains dependent on Him.

By what the Lord says to the man, it becomes clear to him Who made him well. That is what he is going to tell the Jews, because they wanted to know Who made him well. The man seems to act unsuspectingly, out of love for the Lord Jesus, for others to get to know Him as well. He has no suspicion of their enmity. This innocence is beautiful and worthy of imitation.

Through the testimony of the man the Jews get the certainty of what they already suspect. Now they have the evidence in their hands as a weapon to persecute the Lord. We do not read that the Jews said anything to Him, but that they are persecuting Him for what He did on the Sabbath. Yet we read that He answers them. That is because He knows perfectly what is in man. He knows their murderousness because of His mercifulness granted on the Sabbath.

His answer is overwhelming and profound. For faith there is great glory in it, but to unbelief it provides an extra argument to hate Him. He speaks about His fellowship with the Father in the work He and the Father have done so far. What do the Jews know about fellowship with the Father? What do they know about the desires of the Father? He knows the Father and knows that the Father cannot rest in sin, nor can He. It is a wonder of grace that He did not come to judge, but to work.

The works He does are not works of judgment. His works of judgment will surely come on those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sins and who will complete the measure of their sin by rejecting Him. It is not that far yet. He is still busy making His Father known in love and grace. As the Son He has perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and works together with the Father.

The Jews draw the right conclusion from what He says as far as His being equal to God is concerned. Only the Lord Jesus does not make Himself equal with God, He is equal with God, for He is God (John 1:1). Instead of acknowledging that truth, it only increases their murderousness.

Although Christ has taken a subordinate place by coming to earth as a dependent and obedient Man, it is important to hold on to the fact that He never ceases to be the eternal Son of God. As the eternal Son, He never has a subordinate place in relation to the Father, but is one with the Father (John 10:30).

What the Lord says here is considered worse by the Jews than what He has done. Like the breaking of the Sabbath, also this statement leads to an outburst of the depraved mind of the Jews.

John 6:51

The Works of the Father and the Son

Precisely His perfect unity with His Father, precisely His being equal with God, means that the Lord Jesus as the Son can do nothing unless He sees the Father doing something. He doesn’t do anything independent of the Father because He is completely one with the Father. He acts from the perfect unity with the Father. It is the proof of His unlimited Godhead and not of subordination, let alone incompetence.

The fact that He cannot do anything without seeing the Father doing something means that there can in no way be a will separate from the will of the Father. The perfect unity in works is shown not only by the fact that the Son does what the Father does, but also by the fact that He does it in the same manner. What perfect fellowship with the Father and what personal glory of the Son radiate from these words!

The Son’s action in perfect unity with the Father finds its basis in the Father’s love for the Son. Earlier John the evangelist testified of the Father’s love for the Son (John 3:35). Now we hear the Son Himself say it. Nothing is hidden in that love, but everything is perfectly transparent. That the Son’s actions are so perfectly in accordance with the will of the Father is because the Father shows the Son everything He Himself does.

If we may see a distinction between the three Divine Persons, we can say that the Father makes the plans, that the Son carries them out, and that the Son does so by the power of the Holy Spirit. Although there is nothing the Father does that the Son does not know, we see here that the Father shows the Son what He does. This is a presentation of matters that makes us understand slightly the relationships in the Godhead, although its inner being will always remain unfathomable to us creatures. This does not prevent faith from accepting these things, but is precisely a reason to worship the Father and the Son.

The Father’s love for the Son will lead the Father to show the Son greater works than the healing of the lame man. The healing of the lame man is done by the Son because the Father has shown Him that. The greater work is to raise the dead and make them alive. One of those greater works we see in the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. What the Jews will see of this will lead them to marvel, but not to faith.

Only the Father can raise the dead and give them life as well as the Son, because the Son is God. He is God the Son. Please note that this does not mean that the Father through the Son, as an instrument, gives life. No, the Son Himself does that. The Son is the Giver of life and gives life according to His sovereign will, whereby His will is in full harmony with the will of the Father. That He has a sovereign will is further proof that He is God.

Raising the dead and giving them life are two different aspects of the same event. To be raised is about a change in our position. We change territory. When Christ was raised from the dead, He also entered a different realm. He no longer had to deal with the domain with which He had to deal with before His death and resurrection, but with the world of the resurrection, the world of the Father. Giving life is about a change in our condition. We were dead and have received new life. The latter is especially the work the Son did for us when we came to faith in Him.

John 6:52

The Works of the Father and the Son

Precisely His perfect unity with His Father, precisely His being equal with God, means that the Lord Jesus as the Son can do nothing unless He sees the Father doing something. He doesn’t do anything independent of the Father because He is completely one with the Father. He acts from the perfect unity with the Father. It is the proof of His unlimited Godhead and not of subordination, let alone incompetence.

The fact that He cannot do anything without seeing the Father doing something means that there can in no way be a will separate from the will of the Father. The perfect unity in works is shown not only by the fact that the Son does what the Father does, but also by the fact that He does it in the same manner. What perfect fellowship with the Father and what personal glory of the Son radiate from these words!

The Son’s action in perfect unity with the Father finds its basis in the Father’s love for the Son. Earlier John the evangelist testified of the Father’s love for the Son (John 3:35). Now we hear the Son Himself say it. Nothing is hidden in that love, but everything is perfectly transparent. That the Son’s actions are so perfectly in accordance with the will of the Father is because the Father shows the Son everything He Himself does.

If we may see a distinction between the three Divine Persons, we can say that the Father makes the plans, that the Son carries them out, and that the Son does so by the power of the Holy Spirit. Although there is nothing the Father does that the Son does not know, we see here that the Father shows the Son what He does. This is a presentation of matters that makes us understand slightly the relationships in the Godhead, although its inner being will always remain unfathomable to us creatures. This does not prevent faith from accepting these things, but is precisely a reason to worship the Father and the Son.

The Father’s love for the Son will lead the Father to show the Son greater works than the healing of the lame man. The healing of the lame man is done by the Son because the Father has shown Him that. The greater work is to raise the dead and make them alive. One of those greater works we see in the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. What the Jews will see of this will lead them to marvel, but not to faith.

Only the Father can raise the dead and give them life as well as the Son, because the Son is God. He is God the Son. Please note that this does not mean that the Father through the Son, as an instrument, gives life. No, the Son Himself does that. The Son is the Giver of life and gives life according to His sovereign will, whereby His will is in full harmony with the will of the Father. That He has a sovereign will is further proof that He is God.

Raising the dead and giving them life are two different aspects of the same event. To be raised is about a change in our position. We change territory. When Christ was raised from the dead, He also entered a different realm. He no longer had to deal with the domain with which He had to deal with before His death and resurrection, but with the world of the resurrection, the world of the Father. Giving life is about a change in our condition. We were dead and have received new life. The latter is especially the work the Son did for us when we came to faith in Him.

John 6:53

The Works of the Father and the Son

Precisely His perfect unity with His Father, precisely His being equal with God, means that the Lord Jesus as the Son can do nothing unless He sees the Father doing something. He doesn’t do anything independent of the Father because He is completely one with the Father. He acts from the perfect unity with the Father. It is the proof of His unlimited Godhead and not of subordination, let alone incompetence.

The fact that He cannot do anything without seeing the Father doing something means that there can in no way be a will separate from the will of the Father. The perfect unity in works is shown not only by the fact that the Son does what the Father does, but also by the fact that He does it in the same manner. What perfect fellowship with the Father and what personal glory of the Son radiate from these words!

The Son’s action in perfect unity with the Father finds its basis in the Father’s love for the Son. Earlier John the evangelist testified of the Father’s love for the Son (John 3:35). Now we hear the Son Himself say it. Nothing is hidden in that love, but everything is perfectly transparent. That the Son’s actions are so perfectly in accordance with the will of the Father is because the Father shows the Son everything He Himself does.

If we may see a distinction between the three Divine Persons, we can say that the Father makes the plans, that the Son carries them out, and that the Son does so by the power of the Holy Spirit. Although there is nothing the Father does that the Son does not know, we see here that the Father shows the Son what He does. This is a presentation of matters that makes us understand slightly the relationships in the Godhead, although its inner being will always remain unfathomable to us creatures. This does not prevent faith from accepting these things, but is precisely a reason to worship the Father and the Son.

The Father’s love for the Son will lead the Father to show the Son greater works than the healing of the lame man. The healing of the lame man is done by the Son because the Father has shown Him that. The greater work is to raise the dead and make them alive. One of those greater works we see in the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. What the Jews will see of this will lead them to marvel, but not to faith.

Only the Father can raise the dead and give them life as well as the Son, because the Son is God. He is God the Son. Please note that this does not mean that the Father through the Son, as an instrument, gives life. No, the Son Himself does that. The Son is the Giver of life and gives life according to His sovereign will, whereby His will is in full harmony with the will of the Father. That He has a sovereign will is further proof that He is God.

Raising the dead and giving them life are two different aspects of the same event. To be raised is about a change in our position. We change territory. When Christ was raised from the dead, He also entered a different realm. He no longer had to deal with the domain with which He had to deal with before His death and resurrection, but with the world of the resurrection, the world of the Father. Giving life is about a change in our condition. We were dead and have received new life. The latter is especially the work the Son did for us when we came to faith in Him.

John 6:54

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:55

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:56

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:57

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:58

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:59

Judgment and Life Given to the Son

There is something that not the Father, but the Son does. He does it alone, not together with the Father. That concerns the execution of judgment. He does not do this independently of the Father, because the Father has given it to Him. We can say that in this the Son acts for or on behalf of the Father. The Son gives life together with the Father and He judges alone. The Son is the Creator and He has the right to judge what He has created and what has rebelled against Him.

The judgment given by the Father to the Son is done with an explicit purpose. The Father wants His Son to be honored by all people. For this the Son has authority to give life as well as to judge. Honoring the Father is impossible without honoring the Son. Many people talk about God the Father, but they do not intend to bow down before the Son. The Father takes no honor from such people.

To come to a true honoring of the Son and thereby of the Father, the condition is to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, the Son, and to believe that the Father has sent Him. Hearing and accepting the word of the Son and believing in the Father as the One Who sent Him are inextricably linked. We believe in the Father through the word of the Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:21).

There is a triple result connected to this for the believer: 1. He is given eternal life and thus complete peace for his conscience. 2. This means that he is completely freed from judgment. Not only does it bypass him, but he does not enter it at all. 3. He has passed from death into the realm of life filled with the light of the knowledge of the Father. As a result, he has not only received new inner life, but he has also entered an area characterized by life, where everything speaks of life as opposed to the world in which he used to live and where everything speaks of death.

This triple result is the part of all the dead who have heard the voice of the Son of God and therefore received life. By these dead the Lord means the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Every human being is dead, until the moment he is born of God. This new birth, this partaking of the life the Son gives, takes place by listening to the voice of the Son of God.

The ‘hour’ of speaking of the Lord Jesus whereby someone who listens to Him is given new life began when He was on earth and this hour still continues. Over the centuries, the Son’s voice has sounded in the hearts of countless people, bringing life because they have heard that voice and listened to it. He who hears will live. This is still true today.

The Son as Man has been given by the Father as the source of eternal life for man. As the eternal Son, He gives life to whom He wills, and as Man in humiliation, the Father has given Him to have life in Himself. What He possesses as Divine Person, He has received as Man from the Father.

Life is from eternity in Him (John 1:4) and related to His eternal existence as God. If He had not come as Man, we would never have been able to receive that life. Now we hear the Son say that the Father gave life to the Son as Man. Therefore He can give this life to people. Again, this is proof that the Lord Jesus did not cease to be God when He came into the flesh. He became Man in order to be able to share with people what He possessed as God, while He remained God. All those who believe, possess the life that comes from Him and He can pass it on to others, because also as Man He possesses the life according to His Being.

Then the Lord Jesus again returns to the authority He was given to execute judgment. In John 5:22 we see that He has the right to judge because He is the Creator. But here, in John 5:27, we read that He also has the authority to execute judgment because He is Man. He is the perfect Man Who glorified God in everything and therefore obtained the authority to execute judgment. It is not the Father Who became Man and was rejected, but the Son became Man and was rejected as the Son of Man. Therefore He is given the authority to judge as the Son of Man. He will execute this authority by first removing all evil and next in governing the world in right and righteousness.

John 6:60

The Future Judgment

The Lord sees in their minds their marvel about what He is saying. It doesn’t have to be all that marvelous. From the Old Testament they may know that God has given the control of creation to a Son of Man (Psalms 8:5-7; Daniel 7:13-14). But the authority of the Lord goes further. His overall authority over all things He also executes over the dead in the tombs.

The Lord also spoke of an ‘hour’ in John 5:25. With that He means the present period, which He indicates by saying that it is ’now’. The hour of which He speaks here, in John 5:28, is a future hour. It is not the hour of giving life, but of the resurrection of the corporeal dead from the tombs. In the first ’now’ His voice sounds amidst the spiritually dead, and only those who believe hear His voice. In the second ‘now’ all those in the tombs hear His voice and without exception they will all rise from the tombs.

However, there is a distinction between those who rise. Those who have heard His voice in the hour of Jn 5:25 stand up to live. They had the strength, the capacity, to do good because they possessed the life of the Son of God. That life manifested itself in doing good. The second group consists of those who did evil because they refused the life of the Son of God. Without that life only evil is done.

It is important to understand that there is no such thing as a general resurrection of believers and non-believers simultaneously. There are two resurrections. There is a resurrection of the living and a resurrection of the dead. Between the resurrection of the living and the resurrection of the dead there is a period of thousand years. This is evident from Revelation 20, which speaks of “the first resurrection”, indicating the resurrection of all believers (Revelation 20:4-6).

That ‘first resurrection’ has several phases: 1. Christ, Who is to take first place in all things, is the First Who is resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20; 23). 2. When He returns, the resurrection of those who believe takes place.

His return for the believers also takes place in phases. 1. First He comes in the air and then catch up all the believers from Adam until that moment to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). He takes them all to heaven. 2. Shortly thereafter He comes to earth and raises up all the believers who died in the time between the being caught up of the Old and New Testament believers and His coming to earth (Revelation 20:4-5).

In what the Lord says here, He does not speak about the time between the various resurrections. What matters to Him is to indicate the totally different relationship of the two groups with respect to Him as the Son of God and the Son of Man.

After emphasizing His authority to execute the judgment as given to Him by the Father, he immediately points out again that He does not execute it independently from the Father. When He says that He cannot do anything of Himself, it means again that He is acting in perfect agreement with the Father. That is why it is a perfect judgment. His personal will is always perfectly attuned to the will of the Father.

As Man on earth He has taken place before the Father every morning as a disciple and the Father has opened His ear (Isaiah 50:4). Therefore His judgment is righteous. He did not let himself be deceived by anything because He did not seek His own will, but the will of the Father. He describes His Father as “Him who sent Me”, which points to the mission He received from the Father as well as to doing the will of the Father.

John 6:61

The Future Judgment

The Lord sees in their minds their marvel about what He is saying. It doesn’t have to be all that marvelous. From the Old Testament they may know that God has given the control of creation to a Son of Man (Psalms 8:5-7; Daniel 7:13-14). But the authority of the Lord goes further. His overall authority over all things He also executes over the dead in the tombs.

The Lord also spoke of an ‘hour’ in John 5:25. With that He means the present period, which He indicates by saying that it is ’now’. The hour of which He speaks here, in John 5:28, is a future hour. It is not the hour of giving life, but of the resurrection of the corporeal dead from the tombs. In the first ’now’ His voice sounds amidst the spiritually dead, and only those who believe hear His voice. In the second ‘now’ all those in the tombs hear His voice and without exception they will all rise from the tombs.

However, there is a distinction between those who rise. Those who have heard His voice in the hour of Jn 5:25 stand up to live. They had the strength, the capacity, to do good because they possessed the life of the Son of God. That life manifested itself in doing good. The second group consists of those who did evil because they refused the life of the Son of God. Without that life only evil is done.

It is important to understand that there is no such thing as a general resurrection of believers and non-believers simultaneously. There are two resurrections. There is a resurrection of the living and a resurrection of the dead. Between the resurrection of the living and the resurrection of the dead there is a period of thousand years. This is evident from Revelation 20, which speaks of “the first resurrection”, indicating the resurrection of all believers (Revelation 20:4-6).

That ‘first resurrection’ has several phases: 1. Christ, Who is to take first place in all things, is the First Who is resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20; 23). 2. When He returns, the resurrection of those who believe takes place.

His return for the believers also takes place in phases. 1. First He comes in the air and then catch up all the believers from Adam until that moment to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). He takes them all to heaven. 2. Shortly thereafter He comes to earth and raises up all the believers who died in the time between the being caught up of the Old and New Testament believers and His coming to earth (Revelation 20:4-5).

In what the Lord says here, He does not speak about the time between the various resurrections. What matters to Him is to indicate the totally different relationship of the two groups with respect to Him as the Son of God and the Son of Man.

After emphasizing His authority to execute the judgment as given to Him by the Father, he immediately points out again that He does not execute it independently from the Father. When He says that He cannot do anything of Himself, it means again that He is acting in perfect agreement with the Father. That is why it is a perfect judgment. His personal will is always perfectly attuned to the will of the Father.

As Man on earth He has taken place before the Father every morning as a disciple and the Father has opened His ear (Isaiah 50:4). Therefore His judgment is righteous. He did not let himself be deceived by anything because He did not seek His own will, but the will of the Father. He describes His Father as “Him who sent Me”, which points to the mission He received from the Father as well as to doing the will of the Father.

John 6:62

The Future Judgment

The Lord sees in their minds their marvel about what He is saying. It doesn’t have to be all that marvelous. From the Old Testament they may know that God has given the control of creation to a Son of Man (Psalms 8:5-7; Daniel 7:13-14). But the authority of the Lord goes further. His overall authority over all things He also executes over the dead in the tombs.

The Lord also spoke of an ‘hour’ in John 5:25. With that He means the present period, which He indicates by saying that it is ’now’. The hour of which He speaks here, in John 5:28, is a future hour. It is not the hour of giving life, but of the resurrection of the corporeal dead from the tombs. In the first ’now’ His voice sounds amidst the spiritually dead, and only those who believe hear His voice. In the second ‘now’ all those in the tombs hear His voice and without exception they will all rise from the tombs.

However, there is a distinction between those who rise. Those who have heard His voice in the hour of Jn 5:25 stand up to live. They had the strength, the capacity, to do good because they possessed the life of the Son of God. That life manifested itself in doing good. The second group consists of those who did evil because they refused the life of the Son of God. Without that life only evil is done.

It is important to understand that there is no such thing as a general resurrection of believers and non-believers simultaneously. There are two resurrections. There is a resurrection of the living and a resurrection of the dead. Between the resurrection of the living and the resurrection of the dead there is a period of thousand years. This is evident from Revelation 20, which speaks of “the first resurrection”, indicating the resurrection of all believers (Revelation 20:4-6).

That ‘first resurrection’ has several phases: 1. Christ, Who is to take first place in all things, is the First Who is resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20; 23). 2. When He returns, the resurrection of those who believe takes place.

His return for the believers also takes place in phases. 1. First He comes in the air and then catch up all the believers from Adam until that moment to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). He takes them all to heaven. 2. Shortly thereafter He comes to earth and raises up all the believers who died in the time between the being caught up of the Old and New Testament believers and His coming to earth (Revelation 20:4-5).

In what the Lord says here, He does not speak about the time between the various resurrections. What matters to Him is to indicate the totally different relationship of the two groups with respect to Him as the Son of God and the Son of Man.

After emphasizing His authority to execute the judgment as given to Him by the Father, he immediately points out again that He does not execute it independently from the Father. When He says that He cannot do anything of Himself, it means again that He is acting in perfect agreement with the Father. That is why it is a perfect judgment. His personal will is always perfectly attuned to the will of the Father.

As Man on earth He has taken place before the Father every morning as a disciple and the Father has opened His ear (Isaiah 50:4). Therefore His judgment is righteous. He did not let himself be deceived by anything because He did not seek His own will, but the will of the Father. He describes His Father as “Him who sent Me”, which points to the mission He received from the Father as well as to doing the will of the Father.

John 6:63

Testimonies About the Lord Jesus

Precisely doing the will of the One Who sent Him makes the Lord Jesus say that He does not want to testify about Himself. He, as Man, occupies a position on earth that is dependent on the Father. When He says that His testimony is not true, He says this as a concession to the Jews who follow the law, which states that the testimony of one person is not valid (Deuteronomy 19:15). It is not about the reliability or the truth of the testimony, because everything the Lord says about Himself is perfectly reliable and the truth. It is about its acceptability.

He wants to do everything he can to convince the Jews that He is what they deny: the Son of God. He points to “another who testifies of Me”, which is the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The testimony of the Holy Spirit is a fourfold testimony that the Lord Jesus presents to the Jews in the following verses. It is the testimony of 1. John (John 5:33-35), 2. the works of the Lord Himself (John 5:36), 3. the Father (John 5:37-38) and 4. the Scriptures (John 5:39).

John 6:64

Testimonies About the Lord Jesus

Precisely doing the will of the One Who sent Him makes the Lord Jesus say that He does not want to testify about Himself. He, as Man, occupies a position on earth that is dependent on the Father. When He says that His testimony is not true, He says this as a concession to the Jews who follow the law, which states that the testimony of one person is not valid (Deuteronomy 19:15). It is not about the reliability or the truth of the testimony, because everything the Lord says about Himself is perfectly reliable and the truth. It is about its acceptability.

He wants to do everything he can to convince the Jews that He is what they deny: the Son of God. He points to “another who testifies of Me”, which is the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The testimony of the Holy Spirit is a fourfold testimony that the Lord Jesus presents to the Jews in the following verses. It is the testimony of 1. John (John 5:33-35), 2. the works of the Lord Himself (John 5:36), 3. the Father (John 5:37-38) and 4. the Scriptures (John 5:39).

John 6:65

First Testimony: of John

John is the first of the four witnesses the Lord gives to testify of Him. They themselves had sent priests and Levites to John to hear from him whether he was the Christ (John 1:19-28). From them, they heard John’s testimony concerning Him, but they did not believe. As God the Son, He does not need the testimony of the man John. Never does God depend on a man’s testimony to prove Himself. But in referring to the testimony of John, the Lord meets them as much as possible.

As a human being there has been no clearer witness than John. As a “burning” lamp, John was a fiery witness. It points to his inner drive. As a “shining” lamp, John radiated the truth. It points to what people saw and heard of him. His performance caused a stir and the Jews rejoiced for a while because they felt it pointed to something special. But they did not submit to the message of repentance that John preached. That is why it was only a temporary experience and they are now revealing themselves as opponents of Him Whom John pointed out.

John was a lamp. He brought light and warmth as a weak forerunner of Him Who shines like the sun. Once the sun shines, he does not need a lamp to shine on him. The Lord Jesus shines for them like the sun in his power (cf. Malachi 4:2).

John 6:66

First Testimony: of John

John is the first of the four witnesses the Lord gives to testify of Him. They themselves had sent priests and Levites to John to hear from him whether he was the Christ (John 1:19-28). From them, they heard John’s testimony concerning Him, but they did not believe. As God the Son, He does not need the testimony of the man John. Never does God depend on a man’s testimony to prove Himself. But in referring to the testimony of John, the Lord meets them as much as possible.

As a human being there has been no clearer witness than John. As a “burning” lamp, John was a fiery witness. It points to his inner drive. As a “shining” lamp, John radiated the truth. It points to what people saw and heard of him. His performance caused a stir and the Jews rejoiced for a while because they felt it pointed to something special. But they did not submit to the message of repentance that John preached. That is why it was only a temporary experience and they are now revealing themselves as opponents of Him Whom John pointed out.

John was a lamp. He brought light and warmth as a weak forerunner of Him Who shines like the sun. Once the sun shines, he does not need a lamp to shine on him. The Lord Jesus shines for them like the sun in his power (cf. Malachi 4:2).

John 6:67

First Testimony: of John

John is the first of the four witnesses the Lord gives to testify of Him. They themselves had sent priests and Levites to John to hear from him whether he was the Christ (John 1:19-28). From them, they heard John’s testimony concerning Him, but they did not believe. As God the Son, He does not need the testimony of the man John. Never does God depend on a man’s testimony to prove Himself. But in referring to the testimony of John, the Lord meets them as much as possible.

As a human being there has been no clearer witness than John. As a “burning” lamp, John was a fiery witness. It points to his inner drive. As a “shining” lamp, John radiated the truth. It points to what people saw and heard of him. His performance caused a stir and the Jews rejoiced for a while because they felt it pointed to something special. But they did not submit to the message of repentance that John preached. That is why it was only a temporary experience and they are now revealing themselves as opponents of Him Whom John pointed out.

John was a lamp. He brought light and warmth as a weak forerunner of Him Who shines like the sun. Once the sun shines, he does not need a lamp to shine on him. The Lord Jesus shines for them like the sun in his power (cf. Malachi 4:2).

John 6:68

Second Testimony: the Works

Then the Lord speaks of a second testimony. These are the works that He does and that He has received from the Father to accomplish them. The works are, as it were, the rays of the sun that the sun emits as proof that he shines. His works are a more powerful testimony than John’s preaching, for these works are undeniably Divine. They prove that He comes from the Father. They are works that prove that grace and truth have appeared in Him from God.

John 6:69

Third Testimony: the Father

The third testimony the Lord Jesus points to is the testimony the Father has given of Him. This happened at His baptism (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). The Jews also missed this testimony because they were looking for something that appealed to their natural senses. As a result, they were deaf to the voice of the Father and blind to the form of the Son in Whom the Father manifests Himself. They heard the voice of the Father, but did not understand its meaning.

They see the Son, but are blind to His glory because of the humble form He has taken (Isaiah 53:2). For faith He possesses the glory of an Only Begotten of the Father, but they do not believe in Him Who was sent by the Father. He was sent by the Father, but they reject Him. Therefore, the word of the Father that He spoke about the Son does not dwell in them. It bounces off a hardened conscience that has closed itself off to faith. They do not want to believe.

John 6:70

Third Testimony: the Father

The third testimony the Lord Jesus points to is the testimony the Father has given of Him. This happened at His baptism (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). The Jews also missed this testimony because they were looking for something that appealed to their natural senses. As a result, they were deaf to the voice of the Father and blind to the form of the Son in Whom the Father manifests Himself. They heard the voice of the Father, but did not understand its meaning.

They see the Son, but are blind to His glory because of the humble form He has taken (Isaiah 53:2). For faith He possesses the glory of an Only Begotten of the Father, but they do not believe in Him Who was sent by the Father. He was sent by the Father, but they reject Him. Therefore, the word of the Father that He spoke about the Son does not dwell in them. It bounces off a hardened conscience that has closed itself off to faith. They do not want to believe.

John 6:71

Fourth Testimony: the Scriptures

As the fourth and final testimony, the Lord Jesus points to the Scriptures. The Scriptures give an ongoing testimony of Christ. When people are led to Christ through the searching of the Scriptures, they have eternal life. The Scriptures do not give eternal life separate from Him. This is evidenced by these Jews who search the Scriptures.

They search the Scriptures not to discover Christ in them, but to see how they can earn eternal life. They read the Scriptures only with their minds, while their conscience is not shined by the light of God, as is the case with so many unbelieving theologians today. They read the Scriptures, but they do not want to come to the Son. It is a matter of their corrupt will, for it is not to deny Who He is.