John 5 - Introduction

PART III. (A.)
Chapter S 5, 6
I. CHRIST MANIFESTS HIMSELF AS LIGHT AND LIFE IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS

1. Jesus Christ the Word as the source of life.—

(1) He heals the man physically impotent, and thus again shows Himself to be Master in the region of natural life (John 5:1);

(2) He has also power, however, to give a higher, spiritual life (John 5:14);

(3) He is life because He is one with the Father (John 5:17);

(4) He therefore does the Father’s works, quickening to life whom He will (John 5:20);

(5) the Father has committed all judgment, and the raising up of men from death to judgment, into the hands of the Son (John 5:22).

2. The witness to these claims.—

(1) The witness of the Father (John 5:30; John 5:37);

(2) the witness of the Baptist (John 5:33);

(3) the witness of Christ’s works (John 5:36);

(4) the witness of the Scriptures (John 5:39; John 5:45).

Second Year of our Lord’s Ministry

Chap. 5—Probable position in Synoptic narrative: follows Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33.

Time.—Circa Ve-Adar (February–March), A.U.C. 782, A.D. 29.

EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES

“Up to the present time our Lord has offered Himself to typical representatives of the whole Jewish race at Jerusalem, in Judæa, in Samaria, and in Galilee, in such a way as to satisfy the elements of true faith. Now the conflict begins which issues in the Passion. Step by step faith and unbelief are called out in a parallel development. The works and words of Christ become a power for the revelation of men’s thoughts. The main scene of this saddest of all conceivable tragedies is Jerusalem. The crises of its development are the national festivals. And the whole controversy is gathered round three miracles” (Westcott).