John 5:15

τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις. See on John 1:19. Authorities differ as to whether εἶπεν or ἀνήγγειλεν is the verb. If the latter is correct, S. John perhaps intimates that the man’s announcement was virtually a prophetic declaration (comp. John 4:25; John 16:13-15; John 16:25; 1 John 1:5; the only places where he uses the word). But in no case need we suppose that the man purposes to convert ‘the Jews.’ On the other hand he does not act in malice against Jesus; in that case he would have said ‘He that bade me carry my bed.’ But he retains his old defiance (John 5:11). He had good authority for breaking the Sabbath—One who could work miracles; and this was the famous Teacher from Galilee.