John 5 - The King James Study Bible

5:1. Jerusalem: Previously Jesus had dealt primarily with individuals. Now He confronts the Jewish leaders. John 5:1–10:42 reveals the rising controversy and the opposition that finally resulted in His crucifixion. A feast was taking place in Jerusalem, but which one is not clearly stated (see Introduction). There were three major Jewish feasts: Passover (in the spring), Pentecost (50 days later), and the feast of Tabernacles (in the fall).

5:2. Bethesda means “House of Mercy.”

5:5. Thirty and eight years indicates that the man had been infirm since before Jesus was born. We are not told his condition, but it kept him from walking. Perhaps it was the result of sin (cf. v. 14).

5:9–18. Sabbath: Two charges are brought against Jesus for healing on the “wrong” day of the week (vv. 9b,10,16). The Pharisees had added many oral traditions to the written law. First, no burden-bearing was allowed. People could not even carry a needle in their clothing, write anything, or put out a lamp. Certainly they could not carry their own beds. Second, no medical practices were permitted on the Sabbath, except to prevent death.

5:17,18. Jesus’ response is considered blasphemy. He spoke of His Father. The Jews realize that He is equating Himself with God.

5:17. I work: Jesus manifested power in two capacities that are prerogatives of deity: judgment (vv. 22,27,30), and resurrection (vv. 21,25,26,28,29). Jesus was submissive to the Father, but not subordinate to Him (vv. 19,30).

5:31–47. Jesus said there were six possible witnesses to His person (already evident in John): (1) He did not yet claim His own witness to Himself (vv. 31,32). Contrast this with His later claim in 8:14. (2) John the Baptist was a witness (vv. 33–35). (3) His works or miracles are a witness (v. 36). (4) The Father witnessed to His sonship (vv. 37,38). (5) The Scriptures bear witness to Him (vv. 39,40). (6) Moses wrote of Him (vv. 45–47).