John 5

Pool of Bethesda

John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

After Jesus spoke and the servants son was healed, Jesus left Galilee for there was a feast in Jerusalem. It was not important to John to reveal which feast it was, but males were required to attend the feasts.

John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

There was a pool near the sheep market with five covered porches with columns.

John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

Under the roofs of the porches lay a great multitude of afflicted people, blind, lame, withered arms and legs, waiting, waiting for a miracle in the waters.

John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

This was there belief, an angel brought healing to the waters. There are some problems with this belief. Nowhere in the Bible, other than here, has an angel been involved in healing. This could be superstition. Another problem is that the least afflicted, would have the best chance to get to the waters and those needing the healing the most, would not be able to work their way to the pool first.

John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

Here is an example of a needy man, who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years of such a nature that he was unable to compete in the race for healing.

John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

God knows all things. Jesus knew the condition of this man and had compassion on him. Will you be healed? I know of people who would argue about this. Perhaps they would say, that's impossible, or I have such and such illness, as if they were proud of the disease title, wearing it as a badge. "I have a chemical disorder, and must take more chemicals, this is what I believe." Jesus was asking a simple question, but it would involve faith. Faith in the words of Jesus. It would mean taking what we trust in and placing it aside and trusting in Jesus. Many are comfortable with their ailments, the high sounding name of it, the diagnosis and the world's opinions. Others trust in blind superstition, but faith in Jesus is the answer for all.

John 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

The afflicted man was focused only on the pool, trusting in this one hope. He was as a gambler, addicted to the false hope of reward from gambling. P> John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Jesus commands the man to rise, take up his bed and walk. The Living Word commanded the infirm man, he had no choice but to do exactly as commanded. The worlds were formed by the command of the Living Word.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Jesus is the Living Word, the light and the truth of God.

John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

This was on the Sabbath and the Jews had imposed many laws and restrictions about observing the Sabbath. Any labor would have been interpreted as the breaking of their law.

John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

The religious people cared nothing for the presence and miracles of God. They are accustomed to doing things their way. Instead of faith and following God by His Spirit, they imposed many rules and laws so that it was a burden. Instead of joy and life, it was a dry and dead routine. Religion is a bondage, but bondage removes personal freedoms and personal decisions, giving security to those who are under it's hold. I have heard people say, "I wish the Bible had more to say about everyday decisions, so I could follow these rules." We do not need more rules and laws. We are to know God's word and to follow His Spirit of truth.The laws of God are written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If it is of faith we may continue, if not we should not.

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom 14:23 ... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Healing is in Jesus. In the name of Jesus is healing, but the man did not know this name.

John 5:12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
John 5:13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

The man had not the opportunity to know who had healed him. Healings are wonderful, but we must know the one who heals. The greatest healing is a new heart and His Spirit within. The Pharisees were only concerned about destroying Jesus, he was thought to be a threat to them and their ways.

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Jesus finds the man in the temple. God will find you if you seek him. Jesus has a warning for the healed sinner. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you. He needed a new heart. We have heard this warning in other times and places. There was the woman brought to Jesus because of adultery. The Jews wanted her stoned, but when Jesus said he who is without sin, cast the first stone, they all departed. Finally Jesus spoke to the woman.

John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Perhaps an evil spirit had caused the infirmity in this man. Jesus says go and sin no more. Jesus spoke to another warning them about departing spirits returning, unless the heart is filled with God.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Our generation is no less wicked. We need Jesus in our hearts before demons control the people and seek to banish God from the land.

John 5:15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

Jesus put himself at risk, but he warned the man not to sin. Later Jesus would heal a blind man who testified that Jesus was God in front of the unbelieving Pharisees.

John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

The healed man from the pool side, had brought Jesus to the attention of the Pharisees. Now they sought to kill him.

John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

They would kill those who broke their man made rules, in the name of God, they would seek to destroy his beloved son.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Jesus spoke that he did the work of His Father in heaven.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Jesus was equal to God, and obedient as a human to give us an example and to fulfill his calling.

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

It is not Jesus acting on his own. He put aside his equality with the father, humbled himself and became a servant to His will.

Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Jesus is loved by the Father. The love between them was in sharing, like father like son. Greater works then these will he do, from the Father.

John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

The greater works would include raising the dead.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Lazarus will be raised

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Jesus shall raise himself from the dead

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Jesus was being judged by the Pharisees, who thought they were serving God. Jesus says that all judgment has been committed to the Son.

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

The Jehovah's witnesses do not honor the Son, but only the Father. Jesus is the way to the Father. You cannot receive God, apart from the Son. They are one. Later, Jesus would be questioned from his disciples.

John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Jesus' Ministry

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Jesus speaking to the Pharisees tells them his reason for coming; to bring everlasting life so that we may escape the condemnation and judgement of God.

First we must hear his word. The ability to hear is important.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Second we believe on He that sent Jesus, the Father.

If we accept the Word, Jesus, and believe in God, we shall have eternal life. There are those who believe that Jesus is God, but do not see God the Father or the Spirit as separate figures of the one God. We are to believe on the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit. This is the one God in three persons, the Triune God or the Trinity. The word "Trinity" is not in the Bible, but the concept of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost is represented from Genesis to Revelation.

Thirdly, We shall not come into condemnation; but are passed from death unto life.

We were dead in trespasses and sins.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Those dead in trespasses and sins, if they shall hear, will be made alive. Trespasses, are the overstepping of the law, violating God's law. Sins are missing the mark, being off target, missing God's will for us. P> John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

He came to forgive our trespasses and sins and to give us eternal life with God.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

There is one way to God, through the Son who died for our sins.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

No one can hide from God. Those who choose to not accept the word of God in the Bible, will be judged by this word. Rebellion and ignorance will not receive grace and mercy.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

We all will be judged according to the gospel. Have you received Jesus as your master and savior from sin? If not there will be condemnation after death, but If in Christ, no condemnation.

Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The final sentencing will be from Jesus. In him is life and rewards. Not in him is eternal fire. Being judged for levels of punishment too, it would seem.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Some of the living spiritually dead will hear his voice, as well as those who have gone to the grave. It is better to hear Jesus before death, for then there is a chance for salvation.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

There is no reincarnation and no purgatory. What you are when you die seals your future.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Jesus showed us as the son of man, that we are to be completely dependent on God's will and direction. As he hears, he judges. His knowledge of right and wrong comes from God, not religions traditions, or the world, or the devil, nor even his own thoughts. Salvation is from God the Father, through the finished work of His Son, Jesus.

John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

Jesus refused to speak his own thoughts. He put aside the power he had with God and chose to follow the Father only.

John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
John 5:33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John the Baptist was sent to introduce the savior. He did so by the Spirit, having never seen Jesus.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The works of Jesus was the final proof even for John the Baptist.

Mat 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Mat 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Mat 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

The Father witnessed of His Son at His baptism. Baptism is a means of identification to men and spirits that we are of God. Johns baptism was only unto repentance. Jesus would baptize us in the Holy Ghost.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

They knew of God, but he was not within them, they had not His Spirit. Jesus had the fulness of the Holy Spirit.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

They did not search the scriptures that told of the coming Messiah. They had their understanding and Jesus did not meet their mental picture of the Messiah. They did not have God's love dwelling in them. They were filled with envy and hate. Jesus received not honor from men, (vs 41)

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Jesus was not important to them. They looked to men, receiving honor from men. Jesus came in the authority of His Father. When we pray, we pray in the authority of Jesus name. We honor and glorify God.

John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
John 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words

They were without excuse. They trusted in Moses and their laws. Moses spoke of the one to come.

Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Other writings from Moses would be understood as Jesus ministers and his mission is complete. The blood sacrifice, the mercy seat, the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up for our healing, the striking of the rock to be only once, Jesus is the Manna from heaven, many other stories would point to Jesus the savior. Can you name others? The virgin birth, the birth in Bethlehem, the brightness of his glory and more.

Superragman@aol.com

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