Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (Charles Wesley, 1744)
John 5 (interlinear Greek) John 5 (KJV – NRSV)
Key verse (5:19): The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
Meditation (5:6): Wouldest thou be made whole?
A Man Made Whole
1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered. 5 And a certain man was there, who had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity. 6 When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole? 7 The sick 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. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.
The pool by the sheep gate was a place where people came to be healed by the waters. When the water was stirred up, there would be a mad rush of people to enter the water and be magically healed of their physical infirmities. It was something like the many shrines of the Roman church where healing power is thought to be found, such as Our Lady of Lourdes. Or, it may have been like the hot springs that are thought to have the power to heal our afflictions, such as those in Arkansas. Healers typically did not frequent the pool. It was the pool itself that was thought to have healing powers, but only when it was stirred up. The certain man of the story was not able to get into the pool at the time it demonstrated its powers. He was not looking for true healer. He was hoping for a magical cure. We are to be cautious about looking for healing somewhere other than in Christ.
Often we look at this passage and focus on the man being healed of his infirmity. What that might have been, we do not learn at this point. Jesus does not ask him if he wishes to be healed of his lameness. He asks if he wants to be made whole. When Jesus heals, he heals the entire man and does not just deliver him from his physical sickness. We are often impressed by “faith healers” who perform great feats of magical healing of physical infirmities. Much like those who waited at the side of the water for its magic touch, crowds have gathered to be healed by the touch of those who appear to possess a gift for curing disease. Some of this is faked, some is temporary, but I do not doubt that some is real healing. But let us never forget that true healing is of the whole man, straightway the man was made whole. The Greek word translated here whole is hygies, from which we get our word hygiene. It may also be translated well but still indicates complete health.
It may seem surprising that the man immediately obeyed Jesus. He was looking for a friend to help him get into the pool, but here was a man of authority who simply commanded him to get up and walk. Again, we see evidence of the power of God displayed in Christ. Barnes encourages us to learn from his example, “We should yield obedience to him according to what we Know to be his will, whatever may be the opinions of men, or whatever interpretation they may put on the law of God. our business is a simple, hearty, child-like obedience, let the men of the world say or think of us as they choose.” The man was healed by the Word of God, which John tells us again and again has power to accomplish its purpose at all times and in all situations.
“But it had been proved that the law did not give God’s rest to man. The power of a new life was needed; grace was needed, that man might be in relationship with God… The pool of Bethesda supposed power in man; the act of Jesus employed power, in grace, on behalf of one of the Lord’s people in distress.” (Darby) The sick man gives an example of what believing in Jesus means. He listened to what Jesus told him to do and did it. In doing so, he was healed.
Clarke makes an interesting remark on 5:4 (I do not understand why he makes it here, but it is apt). “Those who feel little or none of the work of God in their own hearts are not willing to allow that he works in others. Many deny the influences of God’s Spirit, merely because they never felt them. This is to make any man’s experience the rule by which the whole word of God is to be interpreted; and consequently to leave no more divinity in the Bible than is found in the heart of him who professes to explain it.” I often suspect that when reading criticisms of the Bible by certain scholars. It is evident to me that they do not really understand what Jesus is talking about.
Sabbath Rules
Now it was the sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed. 11 But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee. 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. 16 And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. 18 For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Pharisees were well known for all their special rules. The Laws of Moses were so important to them that they added guidance so that they would be sure not to break any of the laws given by God in even the tiniest of ways. They were greatly devoted to pleasing God by following his Law in every instance. The fourth commandment in Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12 is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy… in it thou shalt not do any work. It was clear what was the day and to whom the Law applied (all the people, including strangers and servants, and the cattle). The rules added on applied to the definition of work and healing was considered work. So, it was prohibited on the Sabbath day. The healed man, carrying his bed, was breaking the Sabbath Law.
It is interesting that Jesus sought out the man he healed, to make sure he understood what had happened. Not only had he been delivered of his sickness, he had been made whole. Once made whole, he was not to sin again. We are reminded here of what Jesus taught Nicodemus and the woman at the well. To be born again or to drink of the living waters is to be made whole. The boy that was healed at a distance was made whole. By this, not only our bodies but our heart, mind, and soul are healed by Jesus. We are made whole and in our new-found wholeness we have the power to live a full life without sin. Sin no more is as much a prayer of power from the Lord that accomplishes what is spoken, as it is a command to the man to take care how he lives his life from that time forward.
This law also had an explanation in Exodus. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. But Jesus explains that this does not mean that God stopped working. God is continually acting, upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). Some things still needed to be done on the Sabbath, as even the Pharisees recognized. The Mishnah codified 39 categories of work that could not be done on the Sabbath. Exceptions included circumcision, saving a life, temple duties, and rescuing a person or animal in danger, such as pulling an ox out of a ditch. To heal a man on the Sabbath, Jesus taught here, is one of those exceptions. But that he called God his own Father was beyond the pale.
Son and Father
19 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will. 22 For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son; 23 that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: 27 and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 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 judgment.
Rather than backing off on his audacious claim that God is his Father, Jesus presses in to elaborate on their relationship. He claims to be doing the work of the Father on earth. He has the power to give life to whom he will, clearly a power reserved to God himself. The claim here is not like that of Elijah, who prayed to God to restore the life of the widow’s son. Here, Jesus is claiming for himself the power to restore life. In case they missed the point, he goes on to say that he has the power of all judgment and demands that he be honored as God the Father is honored. You can imagine the ire building in the Pharisees listening to these bold claims and demands. The Pharisees lived to honor God. Jesus is claiming that not honoring him as God is an insult to the Father God himself. These few verses make very clear the relationship between Son and Father. They are one.
“When it is said that he can ‘do nothing’ of himself, it is meant that such is the union subsisting between the Father and the Son that he can do nothing ‘independently’ or separate from the Father… There is no separate action – no separate existence; but, alike in being and in action, there is the most perfect oneness between him and the Father.” (Barnes) But Jesus does not stop his claims there. “The power of raising the dead must be one of the highest attributes of the divinity. As Jesus affirms that he has the power to do this ‘in the same manner’ as the Father, so it follows that he must be equal with God.” (Barnes) This life Jesus gives is sometimes physical life, as in the raising of Lazarus. It is spiritual life for all of us.
“The power of judging the world implies ability to search the heart, and omniscience to understand the motives of all actions. This is a work which none but a divine being can do, and it shows, therefore, that the Son is equal to the Father.” (Barnes) He is calling them to honor Him as God. “We honor one when we ascribe to him in our hearts, and words, and actions the praise and obedience which are due to him. We honor God when we obey him and worship him aright. We honor the Son when we esteem him to be as he is; when we have right views and feelings toward him.” (Barnes) He is calling us to worship Him. “There is no God but the God subsisting as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He that withholds proper homage from one, withholds it from all.” (Barnes)
I have added a paragraph break at 24 because the discourse turns to hearing the Word of Jesus. Clarke points out, “Death is the country where every Christless soul lives. The man who knows not God lives a dying life, or a living death; but he who believes in the Son of God passes over from the empire of death, to the empire of life.” Then further explains verse 25, “Three kinds of death are mentioned in the Scriptures: natural, spiritual, and eternal. The first consists in the separation of the body and soul. The second in the separation of God and the soul. Answerable to these three kinds of death, there is a threefold life: Natural life, which consists in the union of the soul and body. Spiritual life, which consists in the union of God and the soul, by faith and love. Eternal life, which consist in the communion of the body and soul with God, by holiness, in the realms of bliss.”
By hearing is meant true understanding that leads to faith. If one truly hears his Word, he will believe for the Word testifies to Jesus, the Son of God. There is a future promise that those who hear and believe will not come into judgment and a promise of new life in this world. Eternal life applies in the here and now as much as it applies after the physical death of our bodies. The word translated life here is the Greek word zoen (ζωὴν), that which makes us alive, the fundamental essence of being a living being. Eternal means now and forever. Not only are those present able to hear his Word, those now dead will soon hear, as well. They will be judged by their deeds.
“Many persons outwardly hear the gospel who neither understand nor obey it… The happiness of heaven is living for God – being sensible of his presence, and glory, and power – and rejoicing in that… when a man is converted, it is said that he “has” everlasting life; not merely shall have but is already in possession of that life or happiness which shall be everlasting. It is life begun, expanded, ripening for the skies. He has already entered on his inheritance – that inheritance which is everlasting.” (Barnes)
Matthew Henry questions whether the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God applies to the future. ” I rather understand it of the power of the doctrine of Christ, for the recovering and quickening of those that were dead in trespasses and sins, Eph 2:1. The hour was coming when dead souls should be made alive by the preaching of the gospel, and a spirit of life from God accompanying it: nay, it then was, while Christ was upon earth… They that hear, and attend to what they hear, shall live.”
Sent by the Father
30 I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth. 34 But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light. 36 But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not. 39 Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; 40 and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. 41 I receive not glory from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves. 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. 44 How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not? 45 Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope. 46 For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
This rebuke seems harsh to me. Jesus says, ye will not come to me. If I were in their place, I would also wonder. There were many false Messiahs then and now. We are to be cautious not to follow false teachers. I think the point John is making in this discourse is that the hearts of the Pharisees were hardened in such a way that they did not recognize Jesus for who He is. Nicodemus and the disciples and the woman at the well and the ruler whose son was healed all saw God’s glory in Jesus and accepted him as the Messiah. Most of the rulers did not. The challenge in understanding this passage is to sort out how it applies to us, today. The message has not changed from that of Moses, Hear, O Israel!
In the first part of the selection, Jesus makes even clearer who He is and what he came to accomplish. It is the second half of the selection (which I have divided at verse 38) that I want to focus on. How much of this applies to each of us? How much does it describe the person who attends church but does not “get it”? We are not abiding in his word because we do not truly believe in Jesus. It is not just that we have some doubts. We may actively cast aside what the Scriptures clearly say to make up our own vision of Christ. We might even search the scriptures, but in them we must seek truth, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus. We are to come to Jesus, that we may have life. We do not naturally have the love of God in ourselves. Adam and Eve proved that in the garden. In receiving Him, we become able to love as God loves us.
John brought light as a lamp. “He who wishes to save souls must both burn and shine: the clear light of the knowledge of the sacred records must fill his understanding; and the holy flame of loving zeal must occupy his heart. Zeal without knowledge is continually blundering; and knowledge without zeal makes no converts to Christ.” (Clarke) “The word of God was not in them; it was among them, in their country, in their hands, but not in them, in their hearts; not ruling in their souls, but only shining in their eyes and sounding in their ears… It is possible for men to be very studious in the letter of the scripture, and yet to be strangers to the power and influence of it.” (Matthew Henry)
Instead of coming to Christ, as his disciples, we seek the approval of the world. Our standard is not love and compassion but wealth and social success. The story of God’s relationship to mankind has not changed. What Jesus taught was no different from what the Scriptures revealed about the teachings of Moses. If we truly believe the ten commandments and the Mosaic injunction to love God and neighbor, we would see this same message in Christ Jesus and believe Him and His words. We would allow the Word to abide in us, to fill our heart and soul with the love of God.
Jesus was not the Messiah the Jewish people expected. “They were unwilling to renounce their worldly honors, and become the followers of one so humble and unostentatious as he was. They expected a Messiah of pomp and splendor, and would not submit to one so despised and of so lowly a rank. Had the Messiah come, as they expected, with pomp and power, it would have been an honor, in their view, to follow him; as it was, they despised and rejected him… The proud and ambitious heart refuses to bow to the humiliating terms of the gospel.” (Barnes)
Videos
The Pool (Timothy Keller) John 5:1-18
He Gives Strength (Colin Smith) John 5:1-17
He is God (Colin Smith) John 5:17-29
He Wants You to Be Saved (Colin Smith) John 5:30-47
Making a Difference in the World 