Gospel of John
Chapter V

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Verse 1 On the road again - He’s on the road again! (There’s a song in there somewhere!) J

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

 

You know what? This whole story is pictures – just as your whole world is in pictures! Now look at where you are!

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
 

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

 

Verse 5 Infirmity means a physical or mental defect! This guy has been waiting thirty-eight years for a healing! Now that is patience! How long have you been waiting? Do you even know you need a healing? Look at your life!

Verse 7 The time for feeling sorry for yourself is over! Stop complaining and blaming everyone else for all your troubles! You do it all to yourself! You have been looking for help in the wrong place! Now, let God find you! Up until now you have "made up" your world to fight God! Yes, you made it all up, and it’s all in your mind! Forgive and let it go!

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
 

Verse 8 Jesus is really saying, "Give up being resentful and hateful!" That goes for you too! It’s your mind that needs to be healed! All healing is of the mind!

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

 

Verse 9 That is how easy healing is! Just make up your mind to be healed, and behold! – a miracle – you are healed! The only catch here is that by healing the man on the Sabbath, Jesus is breaking the law! Jewish culture forbids doing works on the Sabbath!

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.
 

Verse 10 They ignore the miracle that’s occurred! They’re only concerned about Him working on the Sabbath! Do you think they might be missing the big picture here? Where’s the love, man?

12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

Verse 13 Wist means to know. Jesus teaches, "Do your good works in private, and God will reward you openly." So He just "split!" (Who wants to be hassled by a crowd anyway?)

Verse 14 Jesus finds the healed man and tells him that he really is healed! "Go ‘straight’ from now on!" (The only "sin" or mistake is to deny that you are already healed and whole!)

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

Verse 15 The man confessed that Jesus had healed him!

 

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

Verse 16 Now the authorities are after Jesus to kill Him!

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Verse 17 Jesus tells the Jews that He is just doing God’s work! God is doing the healing! God can heal you too!

Verse 18 Oh boy, now Jesus is in big trouble! Not only did He heal on the Sabbath, but He is also saying God is His Father – that makes Him equal with God! That is Jesus’ whole message, isn’t it? "I and my Father are One!" Yes, yes, yes!

Verse 19 Verily means truly! Jesus is telling the Jews "I can’t do anything by myself! I can do only what my Father in heaven asks me to do!" With God on your side, anything is possible – just ask! But be careful what you ask for, because you’ll get it!
 

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.

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.




 

Verse 21 To quicken means to excite or to bring to life – like the first stirring of a baby inside the mother! The quickening is your rebirth – the stirring of the energy of Everlasting Life in you! You are "dead" until you are born again in Christ! Right now, you don’t know who you are, where you are going, how to look upon the world or even on yourself! As Jesus excites you about God, you will have a direct contact with Him! God is a fact!

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:




 

Verse 22 God does not judge! He leaves all judgment up to you! How are you going to judge – perfect, healed and whole? (Remember you are only judging yourself!) You are the one in pain, are you not?!

You are the only one who needs to hear this message of "Love one another, do good to those who hate and despise you!"

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.

Verse 23 In your experience of loving Jesus (as you love God your Father) you will be in love with the Truth in everyone! Otherwise, you are doing nothing and going nowhere! Dead man walking!
 

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.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Verse 26 You have no life apart from God! Now is the time to "get a Life" in heaven with God!
 

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

 

Verse 28 This message from Jesus cannot be kept away from anyone who walks on this earth! It’s only a matter of when you want to hear it! Maybe you are already "doing time" and want to hear it now and be free? (Everyone on earth is "doing time!")

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.

 

Verse 29 Hurry! Be about your Father’s business and save a whole lot of time! Love your neighbor as yourself! Turn the other cheek! Do good to those who harm you!

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.

Verse 31 Up until now you have been describing yourself as you see yourself – bad, evil, loser, stupid, hopeless, etc! Now is the moment to accept your perfection in Truth, and admit to yourself that all your ideas are not true! None of your ideas are real – you made them up! God loves you right now!

32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Verse 32 Witness means testimony. Jesus is saying you’re wrong about yourself! You’re bearing false witness against yourself! God’s witness about you is True! Why? Because He knows you as He created you –and you have nothing to say about that! Thank God!

Verse 33 Jesus is speaking of John the Baptist here! John knows who Jesus is – do you? Jesus is God’s Son, and your brother!

35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

Verse 35 Now you are the burning and shining light! Don’t "hide your light under a bushel" – let it shine! Go for it!
 

Verse 36 Yes, Jesus is speaking of his personal message from God! He’s telling you that He has come into the world to finish God’s work! God did send Jesus to you in the form of this message! You’re reading it, aren’t you?
 

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.

Verse 38 Have God and Jesus really been a part of your life, up until now? Don’t worry about it – They are now! This is all about the act of forgiveness! It’s an action you take in your mind!

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me,

 

Verse 39 "Read the Bible," says Jesus, "study the scriptures! They say God will save His people! He will send the Messiah! Listen! I am here! The Messiah has come! God loves you just as you are! The prophecy comes true in you! You are His Son and you cannot die!"

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.



 

Verse 40 "What? You still won’t come to me? I’m offering you life! What have you got to lose?"

This is the way to know eternal life: Love God. Love your neighbor. Ask for help. Forgive. What a great discovery! You are in for the ride of your life!

41 I receive not honour from men.

42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

Verse 42 How tragic! That is why you are where you are right now! But hey, you can change your mind! Easy does it!

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, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Verse 44 You want respect from another person, but the glory (praise) from God you don’t want! How silly! Now is the moment to accept that you are God’s creation and His glory! He loves you!

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

Verse 45 Jesus is not going to "squeal" on you –He loves you! Moses spoke of God’s Love too! What is the truth about you? Jesus says, "God loves you!" Is that an accusation?

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

Verse 46 If you had believed Moses’ message of God’s Love for you, which you have heard – you would believe Jesus now! Remember – there is only now!

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

 

Verse 47 The problem is, you don’t trust anyone, including Moses who promised the coming of the Christ in the scriptures! Guess what? Christ is here now! He is in you! What a celebration!