John 5
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Commentaries
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A feast - This is generally supposed, by the best critics, to have been the feast of the passover, which was the most eminent feast among the Jews. In several excellent MSS. the article is added, ἡ ἑορτη, The feast, the grand, the principal festival. Petavius supposes that the feast of Purim, or lots, is here meant; and one MS. reads ἡ σκηνοπηγια, the feast of Tabernacles. Several of the primitive fathers believe Pentecost to be intended; and they are followed by many of the moderns, because, in Joh 7:2, mention is made of the feast of Tabernacles, which followed Pentecost, and was about the latter end of our September; and, in Joh 10:22, mention is made of the feast of Dedication, which was held about the latter end of November. See Bp. Pearce. See Joh 10:22. Calmet, however, argues that there is no other feast with which all the circumstances marked here so well agree as with the passover; and Bp. Newcome, who is of Calmet's opinion, thinks Bp. Pearce's argument concerning the succession of the feasts to be inconclusive; because it is assumed, not proved, that the three feasts which he mentions above must have happened in the same year. See much on the same subject in Bp. Newcome's notes to his Harmony, p. 15, etc. Lightfoot has observed, that the other evangelists speak very sparingly of our Lord's acts in Judea. They mention nothing of the passovers, from our Lord's baptism till his death, excepting the very last: but John points at them all. The first he speaks of, Joh 2:13; the third, Joh 6:4; the fourth, Joh 13:1; and the second in this place: for although he does not call it the passover, but a feast in general, yet the circumstances agree best with this feast; and our Lord's words, Joh 4:35, seem to cast light on this subject. See the note there.
Open source ↗THE IMPOTENT MAN HEALED--DISCOURSE OCCASIONED BY THE PERSECUTION ARISING THEREUPON. (John 5:1-47) a feast of the Jews--What feast? No question has more divided the Harmonists of the Gospels, and the duration of our Lord's ministry may be said to hinge on it. For if, as the majority have thought (until of late years) it was a Passover, His ministry lasted three and a half years; if not, probably a year less. Those who are dissatisfied with the Passover-view all differ among themselves what other feast it was, and some of the most acute think there are no grounds for deciding. In our judgment the evidence is in favor of its being a Passover, but the reasons cannot be stated here.
Open source ↗After this there was a feast of the Jews,.... After Christ had been in Samaria, which was four months ago, Joh 4:35, and had been in Galilee for that time, and had cured the nobleman's son, and had done other mighty works, the time came on for one of the three festivals of the Jews; either the feast of Pentecost, as some think; or as others, the feast of tabernacles; or rather, the feast of the passover, so called, in Joh 4:45 since John is very particular, in giving an account of the several passovers, in Christ's ministry: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem; according to the law of God, which obliged all the males to appear there at that time; and to show his compliance with it, and obedience to it, whom it became to fulfil all righteousness; and this he did also, that he might have an opportunity of discoursing, and doing his miracles before all the people, which came at this time, from the several parts of the land.
Open source ↗This miraculous cure is not recorded by any other of the evangelists, who confine themselves mostly to the miracles wrought in Galilee, but John relates those wrought at Jerusalem. Concerning this observe, I. The time when this cure was wrought: it was at a feast of the Jews, that is, the passover, for that was the most celebrated feast. Christ, though residing in Galilee, yet went up to Jerusalem at the feast, Joh 5:1. 1. Because it was an ordinance of God, which, as a subject, he would observe, being made under the law; though as a Son he might have pleaded an exemption. Thus he would teach us to attend religious assemblies. Heb 10:25. 2. Because it was an opportunity of good; for, (1.) there were great numbers gathered together there at that time; it was a general rendezvous, at least of all serious thinking people, from all parts of the country, besides proselytes from other nations: and Wisdom must cry in the places of concourse, Pro 1:21. (2.) It was to be hoped that they were in a good frame, for they came together to worship God and to spend their time in religious exercises. Now a mind inclined to devotion, and sequestering itself to the exercises of piety, lies very open to the further discoveries of divine light and love, and to it Christ will be acceptable. II. The place where this cure was wrought: at the pool of Bethesda, which had a miraculous healing virtue in it, and is here particularly described, Joh 5:2-4. 1. Where it was situated: At Jerusalem, by the sheep-market; epi tē probatikē. It might as well be rendered the sheep-cote, where the sheep were kept, or the sheep-gate, which we read of, Neh 3:1, through which the sheep were brought, as the sheep-market, where they were sold. Some think it was near the temple, and, if so, it yielded a melancholy…
Open source ↗5:1–10:42 In this section Jesus appears at a series of Jewish festivals and uses their imagery to reveal more profound truths about himself. He appears at a Sabbath (ch 5), Passover (ch 6), the Festival of Shelters (chs 7–9), and Hanukkah (ch 10). In each case, Jesus himself replaces some vital element in the ceremonies of the festival. 5:1-40 This chapter reads like a courtroom drama, with a description of the crime (5:1-15), followed by a decision to prosecute (5:16), a description of the charges (5:18), and Jesus’ defense (5:17, 19-40). 5:1 one of the Jewish holy days: Because Jesus returned to Jerusalem for the celebration, it was probably one of the three pilgrimage festivals of Judaism (see Exod 23:14-17; Deut 16:16). These festivals lasted one week.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἑορτή (heortḗ, G1859) — a festival Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosólyma, G2414) — Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosólyma, G2414) — Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… προβατικός (probatikós, G4262) — relating to sheep, i.e. (a gate) through which they were led into Jerusalem κολυμβήθρα (kolymbḗthra, G2861) — a diving-place, i.e. pond for bathing (or swimming) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐπιλέγομαι (epilégomai, G1951) — to surname, select Ἑβραϊστί (Hebraïstí, G1447) — Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee) language Βηθεσδά (Bēthesdá, G964) — house of kindness; Beth-esda, a pool in Jerusalem ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… πέντε (pénte, G4002) — "five" στοά (stoá, G4745) — a colonnade or interior piazza
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ταύταις (taútais, G5025) — (to or with or by, etc.) these κατάκειμαι (katákeimai, G2621) — to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) τυφλός (typhlós, G5185) — opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally) χωλός (chōlós, G5560) — "halt", i.e. limping ξηρός (xērós, G3584) — arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water) ἐκδέχομαι (ekdéchomai, G1551) — to accept from some source, i.e. (by implication) to await κίνησις (kínēsis, G2796) — a stirring ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κολυμβήθρα (kolymbḗthra, G2861) — a diving-place, i.e. pond for bathing (or swimming) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ταράσσω (tarássō, G5015) — to stir or agitate (roil water) ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ταραχή (tarachḗ, G5016) — disturbance, i.e. (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty τριάκοντα (triákonta, G5144) — thirty ὀκτώ (oktṓ, G3638) — "eight" ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year
Open source ↗Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τοῦτον (toûton, G5126) — this (person, as objective of verb or preposition) κατάκειμαι (katákeimai, G2621) — to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… χρόνος (chrónos, G5550) — a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from G2540 (καιρός), which… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)…
Open source ↗ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively ταράσσω (tarássō, G5015) — to stir or agitate (roil water) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) μέ (mé, G3165) — me εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy κράββατος (krábbatos, G2895) — a mattress καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ὑγιής (hygiḗs, G5199) — healthy, i.e. well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine) αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κράββατος (krábbatos, G2895) — a mattress περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
Open source ↗Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… θεραπεύω (therapeúō, G2323) — to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are σάββατον (sábbaton, G4521) — the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the… ἔξεστι (éxesti, G1832) — so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of G1510 (εἰμί)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… κράββατος (krábbatos, G2895) — a mattress
Open source ↗ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μέ (mé, G3165) — me ὑγιής (hygiḗs, G5199) — healthy, i.e. well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine) ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) μοί (moí, G3427) — to me αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy κράββατος (krábbatos, G2895) — a mattress καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,…
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἐρωτάω (erōtáō, G2065) — to interrogate; by implication, to request αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy κράββατος (krábbatos, G2895) — a mattress καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἰάομαι (iáomai, G2390) — to cure (literally or figuratively) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἐκνεύω (ekneúō, G1593) — (by analogy) to slip off, i.e. quietly withdraw ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τόπος (tópos, G5117) — a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 (χώρα) is a large but…
Open source ↗μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἱερόν (hierón, G2411) — a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἴδε (íde, G2396) — used as an interjection to denote surprise; lo! γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ὑγιής (hygiḗs, G5199) — healthy, i.e. well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine) ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō, G264) — properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err,… μηκέτι (mēkéti, G3371) — no further
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.
Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.