1.
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
at = in. Greek.
en. App-104 .
by = upon, or at. Greek. epi. App-104 .
market, or gate . Compare Nehemiah 3:1 , Nehemiah 3:32 ; Nehemiah 12:39 , and App-68 . Joh 15:40 .
which is called. Greek. epilegomai. Only here and Acts
Bethesda . Aramaic. App-93 . Compare Siloam in the sixth sign, App-176 .
porches = arches, i, e. a colonnade, or cloister. Greek. stoa. Occurs only here, John 10:23 .Acts 3:11 ; Acts 5:12 . The Eng. "porch" is from the French porche, Latin. porticum = a gallery or door. All from Latin. portare = to carry-the wall being carried over by an arch.
3.
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
In. Greek. en. App-104 .
halt = lame. Eng. from Anglo-Saxon healt = stop, be-cause of having to stop frequently from lameness.
waiting . From this word to the end of John 5:4 is omitted by T Tr. A WH R, but not the Syriac (see App-94 . note 3). If it be an addition it must have been a marginal note to explain the "troubling "of John 5:7 , which gradually got into the text.
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.
For an angel. The water was intermittent from the upper springs of the waters of Gihon (see App-68 , and 2 Chronicles 32:33 , Revised Version) The common belief of the man expressed in John 5:7 is hereby described. All will be clear, if we insert a parenthesis, thus: "For [it was said that] an angel", &c.
at a certain season = from time to time. Greek. kata ( App-104 . kairon .
into. Greek. en. App-104 .
troubled . Greek. tarasso. Compare John 11:33 ; John 12:27 ; John 13:21 ; John 14:1 , John 14:27 .
whole = well or sound. Greek. hugies. Seven times in John. Compare John 7:23 .
he had = held him fast. See note on "withholdeth", 2 Thessalonians 2:6 .
5.
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
And, &c. See App-176 .
man. Greek anthropos. App-123 .
thirty and eight years . The period of the wanderings. Compare "from birth", John 9:1 .
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?
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.
Sir . Greek. kurios . App-98 . B. b. Supply the Ellipsis thus: "Sir [I am indeed willing, but] I have, "&c.
no. Greek. ou. App-105 .
to = in order that (Greek. hina) he may.
time = when.
into . Greek. eis. App-104 .
while = in (Greek. en) the
another . App-124 .
before . Greek. pro. App-104 .
8.
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Rise . App-178 .
The third sign . See App-176 .
bed . A rough cotton wool quilt called to-day khaf, the poor man's bed. The Greek krabbaton is a Latin word meaning a "pallet".
9.
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
on . Greek. en. App-104 .
the same day . . . sabbath = that day a Sabbath. Compare John 9:14 and App-176 . This seems to imply that it was not the weekly sabbath, but the same as John 19:31 . See App-156 .
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.
was cured = had been healed.
the sabbath day = a sabbath.
it is not lawful . A forced interpretation of Jeremiah 17:21 , &c., by the Rabbis, made the carrying of anything from a public place into a private place, or vice versa, unlawful (Talmud, Sabb. 6. a).
not. Greek ou. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: John 5:23 , John 5:28 , John 5:45 .
carry = take up, as in John 5:8 .
11.
He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
the same = that one there. Greek. ekeinos, emph.
12.
Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
asked . Greek. erotao. App-134 .
What man . . . ? = Who is the man . . . ?
13.
And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
And = But.
was healed = had been healed.
wist = knew. App-132 . Anglo-Saxon wit an = to know.
conveyed Himself away = turned aside, as if to avoid a blow. Greek ekneuo. Occurs only here.
multitude = crowd.
that = the.
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.
Afterward =
After these things. See note on John 5:1 .
findeth . Compare John 9:35 . See App-176 .
temple = the temple courts. See note on Matthew 23:16 .
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
art made = hast become.
sin, &c. = continue no longer (Greek. meketi) in sin.
sin. Greek. hamartano. App-128 . See John 9:24 , John 9:25 , John 9:31 , John 9:34 . App-176 .
lest = in order that . . . not Greek.
me. App-105 .
come unto thee = happen to thee, or befall thee.
15.
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16.
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
My Father . See note on John 2:16 .
worketh . Compare John 9:4 , and see App-176 .
hitherto until now ; referring to the O.T. Dispensation. Now Jehovah was speaking "by His Son "(Hebrews 1:2 ).
and I work = I also am working [now].
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.
to kill Him . Note three attempts on the Lord's life, all connected with His claim to Deity, here; John 8:58 , Joh 8:69 ; John 10:30 , John 10:31 .
because He not only. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "not only because He".
had broken = was breaking.
said also that God was His Father = -also called God His own Father.
God. App-98 .
His = His own.
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.
Then = Therefore.
Verily, verily. The fifth occurance. See note on John 1:51 .
do . His works were like His words. See note on John 7:16 .
nothing . Greek. ou ouden. A double negative.
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
but = if not. Greek. ean me.
seeth. Greek. blepo. App-133 .
the Father . See note on John 1:14 .
do = doing.
these also . Read "also "after "Son".
likewise = in like manner.
20.
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
loveth . Greek phileo. One of the characteristic words of this Gospel. See page 1511, and App-135 .
works . See note on John 4:34 .
that = in order that. Greek. Nina.
21.
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
raiseth = awaketh. Greek egeiro. App-178 .
the dead = corpses. See App-139 .
quickeneth = giveth life to. Occurs in John only here, twice, and John 6:63 . Then universally believed by the Jews.
them. Supply the Ellipsis (complex, App-6 .), thus: "quickeneth [whom He will]; so the Son also [raiseth the dead, and] quickeneth whom He will. "
the Son = the Son also.
22.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
For . . . no man = For not even . . . any
one . Greek. oude oudeis. A double negative.
judgeth . One of the characteristic words of this Gospel. See App-122 and the Characteristic Words chart for John book comments.
committed = given.
judgment . Greek. krisis. App-177 .
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.
even as . Greek kathos.
not . Greek one. App-105 .
sent . Greek pempo. App-174 . One of the characteristic words of this Gospel. See note on John 1:22 and the Characteristic Words chart for John book comments.
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.
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.
The hour = An hour. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for a definite and special time. now is. Because, had the nation repented, "all that the prophets had spoken" would have been fulfilled according to Acts 3:21 , including the resurrection foretold in Ezekiel 37 , and Isaiah 26:19 , &c.
the Son of God. App-98 . This title is associated with resurrection, as in John 5:27 judgment is with the Son of man.
shall live. See note on John 4:50 .
26.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
as = even as. Greek. hosper.
hath He given = He gave (in eternity past).
27.
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
authority . Greek. exousia. See App-172 .
the Son of man (see App-98 ). The only occurance in John without the Article (except Revelation 1:13 ; Revelation 14:14 ). Compare Daniel 7:13 .
28.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
the graves = the tombs. Therefore they are not in heaven or hell.
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.
done = wrought. Greek. poieo = accomplished (referring to the object, aim or end of the act), and generally associated with good.
good = good things (Plural)
the = a. resurrection. Greek. anastasis. App-178 .
done (Greek. prasso. Compare John 3:20 , John 3:21 ) = practised (referring to the means by which the object is obtained) and is associated with evil, as are four out of six occurrences of the noun praxis (= deed), Matthew 16:27 . Luke 23:51 .Acts 19:18 . Romans 8:13 ; Romans 12:4 .Colossians 3:9 .
evil = evil things (plural) Same word as in John 3:20 .
damnation = judgment. Greek. krisis, as in John 5:22 .
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.
will. Greek. thelema. App-102 .
the Father . All the texts read "Him".
31.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
If. Assuming the condition, where experience will decide. App-118 .
I. Emphatic = I alone.
bear witness . See note on John 1:7 .
of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 . The emphasis being on "Myself". Greek. emautou.
witness . See note on John 1:7 .
true . App-175 . Referring to Deuteronomy 19:15 . Compare John 8:14 . See p. 1511.
32.
There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33.
Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
sent = have sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 . unto. Greek. pros. App-104 .
he bare = he hath borne.
truth. See note on John 1:14 .
34.
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
from . Greek. para. App-104 .
35.
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
a . . . light = the . . . lamp. Greek. luchnos. App-130 . A common Rabbinic idiom for a famous man. In contrast with Christ (John 8:12 ).
for. Greek. pros. App-104 .
season . Greek. hour, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for a brief period. Compare John 12:23 .
light. Greek. phos. App-130 .
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.
greater witness = the witness, greater.
to finish = in order that I should complete them.
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.
38.
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
abiding . See note on John 1:32 .
hath sent = sent.
39.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Search . Greek. ereunao = to search as a lion or hound tracks by the scent. Not the same word as in Acts 17:11 . Here the Verb may be the imperative or indicative mood; but the indicative never commences a sentence without the pronoun or some other word, while the imperative is so used. See John 7:52 ; John 14:11 (Believe); John 15:20 (Remember).
the scriptures = the (sacred) writings.
eternal. App-151 . as in John 5:24 .
testify . See note on John 1:7 .
40.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
will not come = do not will (John 5:6 ) to come.
to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
might = may.
41.
I receive not honour from men.
honour . Greek. doxa = approval, here, as in John 5:44 ; or "praise", as in John 9:21 ; John 12:43 . 1 Peter 4:11 . See p. 1511.
42.
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
love of God = love toward God. Genitive of Relation. App-17 . Occurs in the Gospels elsewhere only in Luke 11:42 .
you = yourselves, as in John 6:53 .Mark 4:17 . 1 John 5:10 .
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.
him , &c. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:4 .
44.
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
believe . App-150 .
one of another = from (Greek. para. App-104 ) one another.
the. Note the Art. here, and not in the preceding clause.
God only = the only God ( App-98 .) Compare 1 Timothy 1:17 .
45.
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
Moses. See note on John 1:17 .
in = on. Greek. eis. App-104 .
ye trust = ye have set your hope.
46.
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
had ye = if ( App-118 . a) ye had.
wrote . See App-47 .
Me . See note on Luke 24:27 .
47.
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
if . App-118 .
writings. Greek. Plural of gramma = letters, used of written characters, or of a document. For the former, see Luke 23:38 . 2 Corinthians 3:7 ; or the letter of Scripture contrasted with its spirit (Romans 2:27 , Romans 2:29 ; Romans 7:6 . 2 Corinthians 3:6 ). For the latter see Luke 16:6 , Luke 16:7 (where it is a debtor's account), and Acts 28:21 (where it is an ordinary letter). in John 7:15 and Acts 26:24 , it is used for learning (compare Isaiah 29:11 , Isaiah 29:12 .Acts 4:13; Acts 4:13 ). In 2 Timothy 3:15 it is used for the sacred writings as a whole. Hence the Scribes were called grammateis.
words . Greek. rhema (plural) See note on Mark 9:32 .