_After this there was a feast_ Greek, η εορτη, _the feast; of the Jews_ This, in all probability, was the feast of the passover; because that solemnity was called _the feast_, by way of eminence, (Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6;) and because immediately after it, we find the disciples on the sabbath in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now there is at Jerusalem_ The Syriac seems to have read, ην, _there was_, as it is rendered in that version in the past time. Cyril, Chrysostom, and Theophylact favour this reading, as also does Nonnus. “If tolerably supported,” says Dr. Campbell, “it would be accounted preferable, as this gospel... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain man was there_ Among the crowds which now lay in the porticoes of Bethesda, was one who _had an infirmity_ A weakness, as the word ασθενεια means; _thirty and eight years_ He had probably lost the use of his limbs, at least, on one side, by a paralytic stroke. It is a great affliction to... [ Continue Reading ]
_The impotent man answered, I have no man_ I am poor as well as lame, and unable to hire any one _to put me into the pool when the water is troubled_, and I have neither friend nor relation to do this kind office for me. He seems to consider Christ's question as implying an imputation of carelessnes... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus saith, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk_ A strange command to be given to an impotent man, that had been long disabled; but this divine word was to be the vehicle of a divine power; it was a command to the disease to be gone, to nature to be strong. But it is expressed as a command to him to e... [ Continue Reading ]
_And immediately the man was made whole_ A divine power going along with the command of Christ. What a joyful surprise was this to the poor cripple, to find himself, all of a sudden, so easy, so strong, so able to help himself! What a new world was he in, in an instant! Reader, nothing is too hard f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then asked they, What man is that_, &c. Dropping all mention of the cure, they only fix on what seemed liable to exception. They do not ask, Who made thee well? but, Who bade thee take up this bed on the sabbath day? that is, as they interpreted it, Who bade thee profane the sabbath? Though he had... [ Continue Reading ]
_Afterward, Jesus findeth him in the temple_ The same day, probably, in which he was healed, whither, it is likely, he had repaired to return thanks to God for his signal recovery. Thus, when God has, at any time, restored us to our health, we ought to attend him with solemn praises; and the sooner... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered_ “By _the Jews_, who in the preceding verses are said to have persecuted Jesus, we are to understand the rulers, as appears from John 5:33, where Jesus, speaking to the persons who sought to kill him, (John 5:18,) says unto them, _Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as the Father raiseth up the dead_, &c. Here he declares what are those greater works, namely, raising the dead and judging the world. These two, quickening and judging, are proposed, John 5:21. The acquittal of believers, which presupposes judgment, is treated of in John 5:24; the quickening s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Verily, he that heareth my word, &c., hath everlasting life_ Such a person is already entitled to it, yea, it is already begun in his soul, and he shall shortly possess it in its full perfection: _and shall not come into condemnation_ For any former offences; _but is passed from death unto life_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I bear witness of myself my witness is not true_ Heylin and Wesley read, _is not valid;_ Doddridge, _is not_ [_ to be admitted as_] _true;_ and Campbell, _is not to be regarded;_ observing, “In every country, where there are standing laws, and a regular constitution, there is what is called a fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I have greater witness than that of John_ The testimony of one who has infinitely greater authority and power than he; _for the works which the Father hath given me to finish_ The miracles which he hath commissioned me to perform; _bear witness of me_ In a manner most convincing to every unprej... [ Continue Reading ]
_Search the Scriptures_ Because the Jews were exceedingly averse to acknowledge Jesus for their Messiah, notwithstanding that the evidences of his mission were so unexceptionable, he appeals, lastly, to their own scriptures, which, for further proof, and their full satisfaction, he desires them to s... [ Continue Reading ]
_I receive not honour from men_ I need it not; I seek it not from you for my own sake. As if he had said, Though I speak of your coming to me as necessary in order to your salvation, it is not out of an ambition of drawing multitudes after me, who may approve and applaud my teaching; for the whole o... [ Continue Reading ]
_How can ye believe which receive honour one of another_ That is, while ye seek the praise of men, rather than the praise of God? In other words, “How can such persons as you believe in me, whose character and station are entirely different from what you have all along told the people the Scriptures... [ Continue Reading ]
_Do not think that I_ only _will accuse you to the Father_ Our Lord proceeds to caution them against supposing, “that in rejecting him they sinned against no person but him, and that he alone would accuse them to the Father for their infidelity; for that Moses, in whose laws they trusted to have sal... [ Continue Reading ]