JOHN 5:1_ A_. THE POOL OF BETHZATHA. If in John 5:1 we read the feast, Tabernacles is probably meant (_cf. John 7:2)._ The true text, however, seems to have a feast. Pentecost, Purim (in March, to suit John 4:35 taken as a note of time and not as a proverb), and Trumpets (September) have been sugges... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN 5:9 _B_ - JOHN 5:15. THE CONFLICT WITH THE AUTHORITIES. With the man himself the Jews raise the question of bearing burdens on the Sabbath (_cf._ Jeremiah 17:21). The man's ignorance of who had healed him is _one_ of the many details which suggest that the author is following tradition, or usin... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON'S DEPENDENCE ON THE FATHER. JUDGMENT AND LIFEGIVING. To the charge of blasphemy He answers that a son can only do what he has learned to do by watching his father, who out of love shows him how to work. So the Father will show Messiah, the Son, even greater things, so that men will experienc... [ Continue Reading ]
WITNESS. The subject is introduced abruptly, but rises naturally out of the circumstances. The claims made, if less than the author represents them, were such as to raise the question of authority. By what authority could He substantiate them? In the first place, John the Baptist, in whose teaching... [ Continue Reading ]
This summary suggests that Jesus-' opponents had accused Him of self-glorification. In answer He traces back their failure to accept His message to want of that love of God which their study of Scripture should have taught them (Deuteronomy 6:5). If a false prophet were to come on his own authority... [ Continue Reading ]