A FEAST - Probably the Passover, though it is not certain. There were two other feasts - the Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles - at which all the males were required to be present, and it might have been one of them. It is of no consequence, however, which of them is intended.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHEEP-MARKET - This might have been rendered the “sheep-gate,” or the gate through which the sheep were taken into the city for sacrifice. The marginal rendering is “gate,” and the word “market” is not in the original, nor is a “sheep-market” mentioned in the Scriptures or in any of the Jewish w... [ Continue Reading ]
IMPOTENT FOLK - Sick people; or people who were weak and feeble by long disease. The word means those who were “feeble” rather than those who were afflicted with “acute” disease. HALT - Lame. WITHERED - Those who were afflicted with one form of the palsy that withered or dried up the part affected... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL - It is not affirmed that the angel did this “visibly,” or that they saw him do it. They judged by the “effect,” and when they saw the waters agitated, they concluded that they had healing properties, and descended to them. The Jews were in the habit of attributing all favors to the ministr... [ Continue Reading ]
AN INFIRMITY - A weakness. We know not what his disease was. We know only that it disabled him from walking, and that it was of very long standing. It was doubtless regarded as incurable.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, I HAVE NO MAN ... - The answer of the man implied that he did wish it, but, in addition to all his other trials, he had no “friend” to aid him. This is an additional circumstance that heightened his affliction.... [ Continue Reading ]
RISE, TAKE UP ... - Jesus not only restored him to health, but he gave evidence to those around him that this was a real miracle. and that he was really healed. For almost 40 years he had been afflicted. He was not even able to walk. Jesus commanded him not only to “walk,” but to take up his “bed” a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SABBATH - To carry burdens on the Sabbath was forbidden in the Old Testament, Jeremiah 17:21; Nehemiah 13:15; Exodus 20:8. If it be asked, then, why Jesus commanded a man to do on the Sabbath what was understood to be a violation of the day, it may be answered, * That the Son of man was Lord o... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT LAWFUL - It was forbidden, they supposed, in the Old Testament. The Jews were very strenuous in the observation of the external duties of religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT MADE ME WHOLE - The man reasoned correctly. If Jesus had power to work so signal a miracle, he had a right to explain the law. If he had conferred so great a favor on him, he had a right to expect obedience; and we may learn that the mercy of God in pardoning our sins, or in bestowing any si... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MAN IS HE ... - In this verse there is a remarkable instance of the “perverseness” of men, of their want of candor, and of the manner in which they often look at a subject. Instead of looking at the miracle, and at the man’s statement of the manner in which he was healed, they look only at what... [ Continue Reading ]
WIST NOT - Knew not. HAD CONVEYED HIMSELF AWAY - Was lost in the crowd. He had silently mingled with the multitude, or had passed on with the crowd unobserved, and the man had been so rejoiced at his cure that he had not even asked for the name of his benefactor.... [ Continue Reading ]
FINDETH HIM - Fell in with him, or saw him. IN THE TEMPLE - The man seems to have gone at once to the temple - perhaps a privilege of which he had been long deprived. They who are healed from sickness should seek the sanctuary of God and give him thanks for his mercy. Compare the notes at Isaiah 38... [ Continue Reading ]
PERSECUTED JESUS - They opposed him; attempted to ruin his character; to destroy his popularity; and probably held him up before the people as a violator of the law of God. Instead of making inquiry whether he had not given proof that he was the Messiah, they “assumed” that he must be wrong, and oug... [ Continue Reading ]
MY FATHER - God. WORKETH HITHERTO - Worketh “until now,” or until this time. God has not ceased to work on the Sabbath. He makes the sun to rise; He rolls the stars; He causes the grass, the tree, the flower to grow. He has not suspended His operations on the Sabbath, and the obligation to “rest” o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MORE TO KILL HIM - The answer of Jesus was suited greatly to irritate them. He did not deny what he had done, but he “added” to that what he well knew would highly offend them. That he should claim the right of dispensing with the law, and affirm that, in regard to its observance, he was in the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF - Jesus, having stated the extent of his authority, proceeds here to show its “source and nature,” and to prove to them that what he had said was true. The first explanation which he gives is in these words: “The Son” - whom he had just impliedly affirmed to be equa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FATHER LOVETH THE SON - This authority he traces to the love which the Father has for him - that special, ineffable, infinite love which God has for his only-begotten Son, feebly and dimly illustrated by the love which an earthly parent has for an only child. SHOWETH HIM - Makes him acquainted... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE FATHER RAISETH UP THE DEAD - God has power to raise the dead. By his power it had been done in at least two instances - by the prophet Elijah, in the case of the son of the widow of Sarepta 1 Kings 17:22, and by the prophet Elisha, in the case of the Shunamite’s son, 2 Kings 4:32. The Jews di... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGETH NO MAN - Jesus in these verses is showing his “equality with God.” He affirmed John 5:17 that he had the same power over the Sabbath that his Father had; in John 5:19, that he did the same things as the Father; in John 5:21 particularly that he had the same power to raise the dead. He now ad... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT ALL MEN SHOULD HONOUR ... - To honor is to esteem, reverence, praise, do homage to. We honor one when we ascribe to him in our hearts, and words, and actions the praise and obedience which are due to him. We honor God when we obey him and worship him aright. We honor the Son when we esteem him... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD - To “hear,” in this place, evidently denotes not the outward act of hearing, but to receive in a proper manner; to suffer it to make its proper impression on the mind; to obey. The word “hear” is often used in this sense, Matthew 11:15; John 8:47; Acts 3:23. Many persons out... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR - The time. IS COMING - Under the preaching of the gospel, as well as in the resurrection of the dead. NOW IS - It is now taking place. Sinners were converted under his ministry and brought to spiritual life. THE DEAD - Either the dead in sins, or those that are in their graves. The words... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE FATHER HATH LIFE - God is the source of all life. He is thence called the living God, in opposition to idols which have no life. Acts 14:15; “we preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities (idols) ‘unto the living God,’” Joshua 3:10; 1 Samuel 17:26; Jeremiah 10:10. See also Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH GIVEN HIM AUTHORITY - Hath appointed him to do this. Has made him to be judge of all. This is represented as being the appointment of the Father, Acts 17:31. The word “authority” here (commonly rendered “power”) implies all that is necessary to execute judgment - all the physical power to raise... [ Continue Reading ]
MARVEL NOT - Do not wonder or be astonished at this. THE HOUR IS COMING - The “time” is approaching or will be. ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES - All the dead, of every age and nation. They are described as “in the graves.” Though many have turned to their native dust and perished from human view, yet... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL COME FORTH - Shall come out of their graves. This was the language which he used when he raised up Lazarus, John 11:43. THEY THAT HAVE DONE GOOD - That is, they who are righteous, or they who have by their good works “shown” that they were the friends of Christ. See Matthew 25:34. RESURRECTIO... [ Continue Reading ]
OF MINE OWN SELF - See John 5:19. The Messiah, the Mediator, does nothing without the concurrence and the authority of God. Such is the nature of the union subsisting between them, that he does nothing independently of God. Whatever he does, he does according to the will of God. AS I HEAR I JUDGE -... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I BEAR WITNESS OF MYSELF - If I have no other evidence than my own testimony about myself. MY WITNESS - My testimony; my evidence. The proof would not be decisive. IS NOT TRUE - The word “true,” here, means worthy of belief, or established by suitable evidence. See Matthew 22:16; “We Know that t... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS ANOTHER - That is, God. See John 5:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SENT UNTO JOHN - See John 1:19. HE BARE WITNESS ... - See John 1:26, John 1:29, John 1:36. This testimony of John ought to have satisfied them. John was an eminent man; many of the Pharisees believed on him; he was candid, unambitious, sincere, and his evidence was impartial. On this Jesus might... [ Continue Reading ]
I RECEIVE NOT TESTIMONY FROM MEN - I do not depend for proof of my Messiahship on the testimony of men, nor do I pride myself on the commendations or flattery of men. BUT THESE THINGS ... - “This testimony of John I adduce that you might be convinced. It was evidence of your own seeking. It was cle... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS - It is probable that John had been cast into prison before this. Hence, his public ministry had ceased, and our Saviour says he was such a light. LIGHT - The word in the original properly means a “lamp,” and is not the same which in John 1:4 is translated “light.” That is a word commonly app... [ Continue Reading ]
GREATER WITNESS - Stronger, more decisive evidence. THE WORKS - The miracles - healing the sick and raising the dead. HATH GIVEN ME - Hath committed to me, or appointed me to do. Certain things he intrusted in his hands to accomplish. TO FINISH - To do or to perform until the task is completed. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FATHER HIMSELF ...HATH BORNE WITNESS OF ME - This God had done, * By the miracles which Jesus had performed, and of which he was conversing. * At the baptism of Jesus, where he said, “This is my beloved Son,” Matthew 3:17. * In the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is not easy to say her... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU - His law does not abide in you - that is, you do not regard or obey it. This was the “third” thing that he charged them with. * They had not obeyed the command of God. * They had not regarded his manifestations, either in the times of the old dispensation, or now through... [ Continue Reading ]
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES - The word translated “search” here means to “search diligently” or “search anxiously.” It was applied to miners, who search for precious metals - who look anxiously for the “bed” of the ore with an intensity or anxiety proportionate to “their sense” of the value of the metal.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE WILL NOT COME ... - Though the Old Testament bears evidence that I am the Messiah; though you professedly search it to learn the way to life, and though my works prove it, yet you will not come to me to obtain life. From this we may learn: 1.That life is to be obtained in Christ. He is the w... [ Continue Reading ]
I RECEIVE NOT HONOUR ... - “I do not say these things because I am desirous of human applause, but to account for the fact that you do not believe on me. The reason is, that you have not the love of God in you.” In this passage we see: * That we should not seek for human applause. It is of very li... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM COME IN MY FATHER’S NAME - By the authority of God; or giving proof that I am sent by him. IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME - A false teacher setting up himself, and not even pretending to have a divine commission. The Jews were much accustomed to receive and follow particular teachers. I... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH RECEIVE HONOUR ONE OF ANOTHER - Who are studious of praise, and live for pride, ambition, and vainglory. This desire, Jesus says, was the great reason why they would not believe on him. They were unwilling to renounce their worldly honors, and become the followers of one so humble and unostent... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NOT THINK THAT I WILL ACCUSE YOU - Do not suppose that I intend to follow your example. They had accused Jesus of breaking the law of God, John 5:16. He says that he will not imitate their example, though he implies that he might accuse them. TO THE FATHER - To God. THERE IS ONE THAT ACCUSETH Y... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE BELIEVE NOT HIS WRITINGS - If you do not credit what he has written which you profess to believe, it is not to be expected that you will believe my declarations. And from this we may learn: * That many men who profess to believe the Bible have really no regard for it when it crosses their ow... [ Continue Reading ]