John chapter 5 opens with an account of Jesus healing a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. This takes place at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, which was believed to have healing powers. The man had been lying there for a long time, hoping to be healed when the waters were stirred. Jesus sees him, learns that he has been suffering for many years, and asks if he wants to be healed. The man replies that he has no one to help him get into the water when it is stirred, as others always get there before him. Jesus simply tells him to "Get up, take up your bed, and walk." Immediately, the man is healed, picks up his mat, and walks.
This healing occurs on the Sabbath, which becomes the source of controversy. The Jewish leaders see the man carrying his mat on the Sabbath and question him about it. According to Jewish law, carrying a mat was considered work, which was prohibited on the Sabbath. The man tells them that the one who healed him told him to take up his mat and walk. When the Jewish leaders ask who had healed him, the man doesn’t know, as Jesus had slipped away into the crowd after the healing.
Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple and tells him to "sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you." This remark is intriguing, as it implies that sin may have been a contributing factor to the man’s suffering, though it doesn't say that the man's illness was directly caused by his sin. The man then goes and informs the Jewish authorities that it was Jesus who had healed him. This revelation causes the Jewish leaders to begin persecuting Jesus, as they view his actions as a violation of the Sabbath.
In response to the persecution, Jesus defends his actions by explaining that his work is in alignment with the will of his Father. He says, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." This statement deeply angers the Jewish leaders, as it implies that Jesus is equating himself with God, thus claiming divine authority. In their eyes, this is blasphemy, and they intensify their efforts to kill him.
Jesus continues by elaborating on his relationship with the Father. He explains that he only does what he sees the Father doing and that just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, the Son also gives life to whom he will. He affirms his divine authority to give life and to judge, stating that the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son. Jesus also explains that those who honor the Son honor the Father who sent him.
To further explain his authority, Jesus speaks about the resurrection of the dead. He states that a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. This is a direct assertion of Jesus’ power over life and death, reinforcing his role as the one who has the authority to judge and give eternal life.
In addition to his authority to give life and judge, Jesus provides evidence of his divine mission through several witnesses. He first mentions John the Baptist, who testified to the truth about Jesus and called people to repentance, acknowledging Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus then points to the works he does—his miracles and healings—as further testimony to his divine authority. These works bear witness to the truth of his identity and mission. Finally, Jesus refers to the Father himself, who bears witness to the Son, even though the Jewish leaders do not recognize this testimony.
Jesus also critiques the Jewish leaders for their failure to truly believe in him. He accuses them of searching the Scriptures, thinking that eternal life is found in them, but failing to come to him, the one to whom the Scriptures point. He says that if they truly believed in Moses, they would believe in him, because Moses wrote about him. But because they do not believe what Moses wrote, they do not believe in Jesus.
This chapter demonstrates several key themes. First, it highlights Jesus’ authority to heal, give life, and judge. His miracles and words are a testimony to his divine nature and mission, yet the Jewish leaders reject him because he does not conform to their expectations of the Messiah. Second, the chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus. While the Jewish leaders pride themselves on their knowledge of the Scriptures, they miss the truth that those Scriptures point to Jesus as the Savior. Third, there is a stark contrast between the man who is healed and the Jewish leaders. The man, though initially unaware of who Jesus is, responds with faith, while the leaders, who should have been waiting for the Messiah, are blind to the truth and oppose him.
Through the healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus demonstrates his power and authority, but he also challenges the established religious norms of the time. His words about life, resurrection, and judgment show his unique role in God’s plan of salvation. The chapter ends with a deepening conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, setting the stage for the events that will follow in the narrative. The chapter also serves as a reminder that true faith in Jesus is not just about external adherence to laws or traditions but about recognizing him as the Son of God, the one who gives life and judgment.