Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 5:14

"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee." — John 5:14 (ASV)

Jesus’ interest in the man is implied in the word “found.” Apparently Jesus searched for him out of a concern for his spiritual state as well as for his physical illness. The command to “stop sinning” presupposes the possibility that the man’s affliction was caused by his own sin (but cf. comment on 9:2–3). There is no indication that this encounter strengthened the man’s faith and attachment to Jesus; in fact, the contrary could easily be inferred. But he did confess Jesus as his healer.