Johannes 5

1 Nach diesem war ein Fest der Juden, und Jesus ging hinauf nach Jerusalem.

2 Es ist aber in Jerusalem bei dem Schaftor ein Teich, der auf hebräisch Bethesda zubenamt ist, welcher fünf Säulenhallen hat.

3 In diesen lag eine Menge Kranker, Blinder, Lahmer, Dürrer, die auf die Bewegung des Wassers warteten.

4 Denn zu gewissen Zeiten stieg ein Engel in den Teich herab und bewegte das Wasser. Wer nun nach der Bewegung des Wassers zuerst hineinstieg, ward gesund, mit welcher Krankheit irgend er behaftet war.

5 Es war aber ein gewisser Mensch daselbst, der achtunddreißig Jahre mit seiner Krankheit behaftet war.

6 Als Jesus diesen daliegen sah und wußte, daß es schon lange Zeit also mit ihm war, spricht er zu ihm: Willst du gesund werden?

7 Der Kranke antwortete ihm: Herr, ich habe keinen Menschen, daß er mich, wenn das Wasser bewegt worden ist, in den Teich werfe; indem ich aber komme, steigt ein anderer vor mir hinab.

8 Jesus spricht zu ihm: Stehe auf, nimm dein Bett auf und wandle!

9 Und alsbald ward der Mensch gesund und nahm sein Bett auf und wandelte. Es war aber an jenem Tage Sabbath.

10 Es sagten nun die Juden zu dem Geheilten: Es ist Sabbath, es ist dir nicht erlaubt, das Bett zu tragen.

11 Er antwortete ihnen: Der mich gesund machte, der sagte zu mir: Nimm dein Bett auf und wandle.

12 Da fragten sie ihn: Wer ist der Mensch, der zu dir sagte: Nimm dein Bett auf und wandle?

13 Der Geheilte aber wußte nicht, wer es sei; denn Jesus war entwichen, weil eine Volksmenge an dem Orte war.

14 Danach findet Jesus ihn im Tempel, und er sprach zu ihm: Siehe, du bist gesund geworden; sündige nicht mehr, auf daß dir nichts Ärgeres widerfahre.

15 Der Mensch ging hin und verkündete den Juden, daß es Jesus sei, der ihn gesund gemacht habe.

16 Und darum verfolgten die Juden Jesum und suchten ihn zu töten , weil er dies am Sabbath tat.

17 Jesus aber antwortete ihnen: Mein Vater wirkt bis jetzt, und ich wirke.

18 Darum nun suchten die Juden noch mehr, ihn zu töten, weil er nicht allein den Sabbath brach, sondern auch Gott seinen eigenen Vater nannte, sich selbst Gott gleich machend.

19 Da antwortete Jesus und sprach zu ihnen: Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Der Sohn kann nichts von sich selbst tun, außer was er den Vater tun sieht; denn was irgend er tut, das tut auch der Sohn gleicherweise.

20 Denn der Vater hat den Sohn lieb und zeigt ihm alles, was er selbst tut; und er wird ihm größere Werke als diese zeigen, auf daß ihr euch verwundert.

21 Denn gleichwie der Vater die Toten auferweckt und lebendig macht, also macht auch der Sohn lebendig, welche er will.

22 Denn der Vater richtet auch niemand, sondern das ganze Gericht hat er dem Sohne gegeben,

23 auf daß alle den Sohn ehren, wie sie den Vater ehren. Wer den Sohn nicht ehrt, ehrt den Vater nicht, der ihn gesandt hat.

24 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Wer mein Wort hört und glaubt dem, der mich gesandt hat, hat ewiges Leben und kommt nicht ins Gericht, sondern er ist aus dem Tode in das Leben übergegangen.

25 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, daß die Stunde kommt und jetzt ist, da die Toten die Stimme des Sohnes Gottes hören werden, und die sie gehört haben, werden leben.

26 Denn gleichwie der Vater Leben in sich selbst hat, also hat er auch dem Sohne gegeben, Leben zu haben in sich selbst;

27 und er hat ihm Gewalt gegen, auch Gericht zu halten, weil er des Menschen Sohn ist.

28 Wundert euch darüber nicht, denn es kommt die Stunde, in welcher alle, die in den Gräbern sind, seine Stimme hören,

29 und hervorkommen werden: die das Gute getan haben, zur Auferstehung des Lebens, die aber das Böse verübt haben, zur Auferstehung des Gerichts.

30 Ich kann nichts von mir selbst tun; so wie ich höre, richte ich, und mein Gericht ist gerecht, denn ich suche nicht meinen Willen, sondern den Willen dessen, der mich gesandt hat.

31 Wenn ich von mir selbst zeuge, so ist mein Zeugnis nicht wahr.

32 Ein anderer ist es, der von mir zeugt, und ich weiß, daß das Zeugnis wahr ist, welches er von mir zeugt.

33 Ihr habt zu Johannes gesandt, und er hat der Wahrheit Zeugnis gegeben.

34 Ich aber nehme nicht Zeugnis von einem Menschen, sondern dies sage ich, auf daß ihr errettet werdet.

35 Jener war die brennende und scheinende Lampe; ihr aber wolltet für eine Zeit in seinem Lichte fröhlich sein.

36 Ich aber habe das Zeugnis, das größer ist als das des Johannes; denn die Werke, welche der Vater mir gegeben hat, auf daß ich sie vollbringe, die Werke selbst, die ich tue, zeugen von mir, daß der Vater mich gesandt hat.

37 Und der Vater, der mich gesandt hat, er selbst hat Zeugnis von mir gegeben. Ihr habt weder jemals seine Stimme gehört, noch seine Gestalt gesehen,

38 und sein Wort habt ihr nicht bleibend in euch; denn welchen er gesandt hat, diesem glaubet ihr nicht.

39 Ihr erforschet die Schriften, denn ihr meinet, in ihnen ewiges Leben zu haben, und sie sind es, die von mir zeugen;

40 und ihr wollt nicht zu mir kommen, auf daß ihr Leben habet.

41 Ich nehme nicht Ehre von Menschen;

42 sondern ich kenne euch, daß ihr die Liebe Gottes nicht in euch habt.

43 Ich bin in dem Namen meines Vaters gekommen, und ihr nehmet mich nicht auf; wenn ein anderer in seinem eigenen Namen kommt, den werdet ihr aufnehmen.

44 Wie könnt ihr glauben, die ihr Ehre voneinander nehmet und die Ehre, welche von Gott allein ist, nicht suchet?

45 Wähnet nicht, daß ich euch bei dem Vater verklagen werde; da ist einer, der euch verklagt, Moses, auf den ihr eure Hoffnung gesetzt habt.

46 Denn wenn ihr Moses glaubtet, so würdet ihr mir glauben, denn er hat von mir geschrieben.

47 Wenn ihr aber seinen Schriften nicht glaubet, wie werdet ihr meinen Worten glauben?

Johannes 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

The cure at the pool of Bethesda. (1-9) The Jews' displeasure. (10-16) Christ reproves the Jews. (17-23) Christ's discourse. (24-47)

Verses 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.

Verses 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!

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 30-38 Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises. The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus made effectual to the conversion of sinners, still proclaims that this is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. But when the hearts of men are full of pride, ambition, and the love of the world, there is no room for the word of God to abide in them.

Verses 39-44 The Jews considered that eternal life was revealed to them in their Scriptures, and that they had it, because they had the word of God in their hands. Jesus urged them to search those Scriptures with more diligence and attention. "Ye do search the Scriptures," and ye do well to do so. They did indeed search the Scriptures, but it was with a view to their own glory. It is possible for men to be very studious in the letter of the Scriptures, yet to be strangers to its power. Or, "Search the Scriptures," and so it was spoken to them in the nature of an appeal. Ye profess to receive and believe the Scripture, let that be the judge. It is spoken to us as advising or commanding all Christians to search the Scriptures. Not only read them, and hear them, but search them; which denotes diligence in examining and studying them. We must search the Scriptures for heaven as our great end; For in them ye think ye have eternal life. We must search the Scriptures for Christ, as the new and living Way, that leads to this end. To this testimony Christ adds reproofs of their unbelief and wickedness; their neglect of him and his doctrine. Also he reproves their want of the love of God. But there is life with Jesus Christ for poor souls. Many who make a great profession of religion, yet show they want the love of God, by their neglect of Christ and contempt of his commandments. It is the love of God in us, the love that is a living, active principle in the heart, which God will accept. They slighted and undervalued Christ, because they admired and overvalued themselves. How can those believe, who make the praise and applause of men their idol! When Christ and his followers are men wondered at, how can those believe, the utmost of whose ambition is to make a fair show in the flesh!

Verses 45-47 Many trust in some form of doctrines or some parties, who no more enter into the real meaning of those doctrines, or the views of the persons whose names they bear, than the Jews did into those of Moses. Let us search and pray over the Scriptures, as intent on finding eternal life; let us observe how Christ is the great subject of them, and daily apply to him for the life he bestows.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 5

In this chapter the apostle treats of the nature of faith and love; of Christ the object of both, and of the witness that is bore to him; of the necessity of believing the testimony concerning him; of the confidence of prayer being heard, and concerning whom it should be made; of the happiness of regenerate persons, and of their duty to keep themselves from idols. Faith in Christ is the evidence of regeneration, and where that is, there will be love to the author of regeneration, and to them that are regenerated; and love to them is known by love to God, and keeping his commandments; and keeping the commandments of God, and which are not grievous, is a proof of love to God, 1Jo 5:1-3; and whereas every regenerate man overcomes the world, it is by his faith, the evidence of his regeneration, that this victory is obtained; nor can any other man be pointed out that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God, 1Jo 5:4,5; and Christ, the Son of God, the object of this victorious faith, is described by his coming by water and blood, of which the spirit is witness, who is a true one; and six witnesses of the truth of this and his divine sonship are produced, three in heaven, the Father, Word, and Spirit, who are the one God, and three on earth, the Spirit, water, and blood, who agree in their testimony, 1Jo 5:6-8; wherefore this testimony concerning the Son of God ought to be received, since it is the testimony of God, which is greater than that of men; besides, he that believes in Christ has a witness of this in himself, and honours God, whereas he that believes not makes God a liar, not giving credit to his record concerning his Son; the sum of which is, that God has made a grant of eternal life to some persons, which is in his Son, which those that believe in the Son of God have, but those that do not believe in him have it not: all which show the necessity of receiving the above testimony; and the ends proposed in writing these things were, to believe in Christ, and that it might be known they had eternal life in him, 1Jo 5:9-13, and from faith in Christ the apostle passes to confidence in prayer, as a particular effect and fruit of it: as, that whatever is asked according to the will of God is heard; and that such who are satisfied of this, that they are heard, may be assured that they have the petitions they desire to have, 1Jo 5:14,15, and whereas it is one branch of prayer to pray for others as well as for ourselves, the apostle directs who we should pray for; for the brethren in general, and in particular for such who have sinned, but not unto death, and life shall be given to such: but as for those who have sinned unto death, he does not say prayer should be made for them, for though all unrighteousness in general is sin, yet there is a particular sin which is unto death, and is not to be prayed for, 1Jo 5:16,17; but happy are those who are born of God, for they do not sin this sin; and through the use of the armour of God, and the power of divine grace, they keep themselves from the evil one, and he cannot come at them, to draw them into this sin; also they know that they are of God, and are distinguished from the world, which lies in wickedness; yea, they know that the Son of God is come in the flesh, and hath given them an understanding of the true God, by which they know that they are in him, and in his Son Jesus Christ, who is with him, and the divine Spirit, the one true God, and the author and giver of eternal life, 1Jo 5:18-20; and the chapter, and with it the epistle, is concluded with an exhortation to these regenerate ones, as they had kept themselves from Satan, that they would also keep themselves from idols of all sorts, 1Jo 5:21.