Yochanan 5

1 After these things, there was a Chag (Feast) in Yehudah and Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach went up to Yerushalayim.

2 Now there is in Yerushalayim at the Sha’ar HaTzon (Sheepgate) [NECHEMYAH 3:1,32; 12:39] a pool, the one being called in Aramaic, Beit-Zata, having chamasha colonnades.

3 In these lay a multitude of invalids?ivrim (blind men), pisechim (lame persons), paralyzed.

4 [For a malach Hashem from time to time descended into the berekhah (pool) and agitated the mayim; therefore, he who entered first after the agitation of the mayim, became whole, whatever choli (disease, sickness) he was held by.]

5 And there was a certain man there SHELOSHIM U’SHEMONEH SHANAH [DEVARIM 2:14] having been in his machla (illness).

6 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, seeing this man lying there, and having da’as that the man had been in this condition for a long time already, says to him, Do you want to have refu’ah [YESHAYAH 53:5]?

7 In reply, the choleh (sick one) said, Adoni, I have no one, when the mayim is disturbed, to put me into the pool. While I am coming, someone steps into the pool ahead of me.

8 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, Rise up, take your mat and walk.

9 And immediately the man received his refu’ah (healing) and took his mat and was walking around. And that day was Shabbos.

10 So those of Yehudah were saying to the one having been granted refu’ah (healing), It is Shabbos, so it is asur (prohibited), it is chillul Shabbos [desecration of Shabbat] for you to carry your mat. [NECHEMYAH 13:1522; YIRMEYAH 17:21]

11 But the man in reply said to them, The one having given me refu’ah, that one said to me, Take up your mat and walk!

12 They asked him, Who is haIsh (the man) telling you to take up your mat and walk?

13 But the one having been granted refu’ah (healing) did not have da’as who it is, for Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach slipped away, there being a multitude in the place.

14 After these things Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach finds him in the Beis Hamikdash, and said to him, Hinei, you have received your refu’ah. No longer commit averos, for fear that something worse happen to you.

15 The man went away and reported to the Yehudim that Yehoshua is the one having granted him his refu’ah,

16 And, because of this, those of Yehudah brought redifah (persecution) upon Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, because these things he was doing on Shabbos.

17 But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach in reply, said to them, Avi until now is working and I am working. [BERESHIS 2:3]

18 Because of this, therefore, those of Yehudah were seeking all the more to kill Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, because not only was he not Shomer Shabbos, but also Rebbe was saying that his own Av was Hashem, thereby making himself equal with Elohim [Yochanan 1:1].

19 In reply, therefore, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was saying to them, Omein, omein, I say to you, HaBen is not able to do anything from himself except what he sees HaAv doing, for what things that One is doing, these things also HaBen likewise is doing.

20 For HaAv has ahavah for HaBen and all things He shows to him which He does and ma’asim gedolim (greater works) than these He will show him that you may marvel.

21 For just as HaAv raises the Mesim (dead ones) and makes them alive, so also HaBen makes alive whom he wills. [DEVARIM 32:39; SHMUEL ALEF 2:6; MELACHIM BAIS 5:7; HOSHEA 6:2; RUTH 4:5]

22 For not even HaAv judges anyone, but all Mishpat Hashem has given to HaBen [BERESHIS 18:25; SHOFETIM 11:27; DANIEL 7:10,13-14]

23 That kol Bnei Adam may honor HaBen as they honor HaAv. The one not honoring HaBen does not honor HaAv who sent him [Dan 7:13-14].

24 Omein, omein, I say to you, that the one, hearing my dvar and having emunah in the One who sent me, has Chayyei Olam and does not come into the Mishpat Hashem, but has been transferred out of mavet (death) into Chayyim (Life).

25 Omein, omein, I say to you, that a sha’ah (hour) is coming and now is, when the Mesim (dead ones) will hear the kol (voice) of the Ben HaElohim and the ones having heard will live.

26 For just as HaAv has Chayyim (Life) in himself [DEVARIM 30:20; IYOV 10:12; 33:4; TEHILLIM 36:10 (9)], so also HaBen He gave to have Chayyim (Life) in himself.

27 And samchut (authority) He gave to him to make mishpat (judgment) because he is the Ben HaAdam [DANIEL 7:13-14].

28 Do not marvel at this. For a sha’ah (hour, time) is coming in which all the ones in the kevarim (graves) will hear the kol of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, [YESHAYAH 26:19; YECHEZKEL 37:12]

29 And will come out, the ones having practiced HaTov to a Techiyas HaMesim of Chayyim (Life), the ones having practiced HaRah to a Techiyas HaMesim of Mishpat (Judgment). [DANIEL 12:2]

30 I am not able to do from myself anything. As I hear I judge, and mine is mishpat tzedek [YESHAYAH 28:6], because I do not seek my own ratzon (will) but the ratzon (will) of the One having sent me. [BAMIDBAR 16:28]

31 If I give solemn edut (testimony) about myself, the edut of mine is not ne’emanah (reliable).

32 There is Another giving solemn edut about me, however, and I have da’as that the edut He testifies about me is ne’emanah (reliable).

33 You (pl.) have sent to Yochanan and he has given solemn edut (testimony) to HaEmes (the Truth).

34 Not that I accept edut from Bnei Adam, but I say these things that you may come to Yeshu’at Eloheinu.

35 He [Yochanan] was a menorah burning and shining and you chose to exult for a time in his Ohr (Light); [TEHILLIM 132:16; DANIEL 12:3]

36 but l have edut (testimony) greater than Yochanan’s. For the ma’asim (works) which HaAv has given to me that I should accomplish, these ma’asim which I do give solemn edut (testimony) about me, that HaAv has sent me.

37 And HaAv who sent me has Himself given solemn edut (testimony) about me. You have neither heard His kol (voice) nor the mareh of Hashem have you seen [DEVARIM 4:12],

38 and the dvar Hashem you do not have abiding and dwelling in you, because you have no bitachon (trust), no emunah (faith) in the one whom Hashem has sent. [YESHAYAH 26:10; 53:1; YIRMEYAH 8:8]

39 You search the Kitvei Hakodesh because you think in them you have Chayyei Olam. And those are the ones giving solemn edut about me.

40 And you do not want to come to me that you may have Chayyim.

41 I do not accept kavod (glory) from Bnei Adam.

42 But I have had da’as of you, that the ahavas Hashem (the love of G-d) you do not have in yourselves.

43 I have come b’Shem Avi and you do not accept me. If another comes in his own name, him you will accept.

44 How are you able to have emunah, when you receive kavod from one another, and the kavod from the only Elohim HaEchad you do not seek? [MELACHIM BAIS 19:15,19; YESHAYAH 37:20; DANIEL 3:45 TARGUM HASHIVIM]

45 Do not think that I will accuse you before HaAv; however, there is one accusing you: Moshe, in whom you have set your tikvah. [Dt 31:26-27]

46 For if you were having emunah in Moshe, you would have had emunah in me, for he himself wrote concerning me. [BERESHIS 3:15; 45:4-9; DEVARIM 18:15]

47 But if in the Kitvei Hakodesh of that one you lack emunah, how will you have emunah in my dvar?

Yochanan 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.