51 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 porticoes . 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick , blind , lame , and withered , [waiting for the moving of the waters ; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water ; whoever then first , after the stirring up of the water , stepped in was made well from whatever e disease with which he was afflicted .] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight e years . 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well ?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir , I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while e I am coming , another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, " Get up, pick up your pallet and walk ." 9 Immediately the man became well , and picked up his pallet and began to walk . Now it was the Sabbath on that day . 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured , "It is the Sabbath , and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet ." 11 But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Pick up your pallet and walk .'" 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Pick up your pallet and walk '?" 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place . 14 Afterward e Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold , you have become well ; do not sin anymore , so that nothing e worse happens to you." 15 The man went away , and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well . 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus , because He was doing these things on the Sabbath .
17 But He answered them, "My Father is working until now , and I Myself am working ." 18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath , but also was calling God His own Father , making Himself equal with God .
19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly , truly , I say to you, the Son can do nothing e of Himself , unless e it is something He sees the Father doing ; for whatever e the Father does , these things the Son also does in like manner . 20 " For the Father loves the Son , and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing ; and the Father will show Him greater works than these , so that you will marvel . 21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life , even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes . 22 "For not even the Father judges anyone , but He has given all judgment to the Son , 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father . He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Truly , truly , I say to you, he who hears My word , and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life , and does not come into judgment , but has passed out of death into life .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 5:1-24
Commentary on John 5:1-9
(Read John 5:1-9)
We are all by nature impotent folk in spiritual things, blind, halt, and withered; but full provision is made for our cure, if we attend to it. An angel went down, and troubled the water; and what disease soever it was, this water cured it, but only he that first stepped in had benefit. This teaches us to be careful, that we let not a season slip which may never return. The man had lost the use of his limbs thirty-eight years. Shall we, who perhaps for many years have scarcely known what it has been to be a day sick, complain of one wearisome night, when many others, better than we, have scarcely known what it has been to be a day well? Christ singled this one out from the rest. Those long in affliction, may comfort themselves that God keeps account how long. Observe, this man speaks of the unkindness of those about him, without any peevish reflections. As we should be thankful, so we should be patient. Our Lord Jesus cures him, though he neither asked nor thought of it. Arise, and walk. God's command, Turn and live; Make ye a new heart; no more supposes power in us without the grace of God, his distinguishing grace, than this command supposed such power in the impotent man: it was by the power of Christ, and he must have all the glory. What a joyful surprise to the poor cripple, to find himself of a sudden so easy, so strong, so able to help himself! The proof of spiritual cure, is our rising and walking. Has Christ healed our spiritual diseases, let us go wherever he sends us, and take up whatever he lays upon us; and walk before him.
Commentary on John 5:10-16
(Read John 5:10-16)
Those eased of the punishment of sin, are in danger of returning to sin, when the terror and restraint are over, unless Divine grace dries up the fountain. The misery believers are made whole from, warns us to sin no more, having felt the smart of sin. This is the voice of every providence, Go, and sin no more. Christ saw it necessary to give this caution; for it is common for people, when sick, to promise much; when newly recovered, to perform only something; but after awhile to forget all. Christ spoke of the wrath to come, which is beyond compare worse than the many hours, nay, weeks and years of pain, some wicked men have to suffer in consequence of their unlawful indulgences. And if such afflictions are severe, how dreadful will be the everlasting punishment of the wicked!
Commentary on John 5:17-23
(Read John 5:17-23)
The Divine power of the miracle proved Jesus to be the Son of God, and he declared that he worked with, and like unto his Father, as he saw good. These ancient enemies of Christ understood him, and became more violent, charging him not only with sabbath-breaking, but blasphemy, in calling God his own Father, and making himself equal with God. But all things now, and at the final judgment, are committed to the Son, purposely that all men might honour the Son, as they honour the Father; and every one who does not thus honour the Son, whatever he may think or pretend, does not honour the Father who sent him.
Commentary on John 5:24-29
(Read John 5:24-29)
Our Lord declared his authority and character, as the Messiah. The time was come when the dead should hear his voice, as the Son of God, and live. Our Lord first refers to his raising those who were dead in sin, to newness of life, by the power of the Spirit, and then to his raising the dead in their graves. The office of Judge of all men, can only be exercised by one who has all knowledge, and almighty power. May we believe His testimony; thus our faith and hope will be in God, and we shall not come into condemnation. And may His voice reach the hearts of those dead in sin; that they may do works meet for repentance, and prepare for the solemn day.