Matthew Henry Commentary John 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
John 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
John 5
"After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep [gate] a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered, [waiting for the moving of the water.] [for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole, with whatsoever disease he was holden.] And a certain man was there, who had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day." — John 5:1-9 (ASV)
We are all by nature impotent people in spiritual things: blind, lame, and withered. However, full provision is made for our cure, if we pay attention to it. An angel went down and stirred the water; and whatever disease it was, this water cured it, but only the one who first stepped in received the benefit. This teaches us to be careful, so that we do not let a season slip by which may never return.
The man had lost the use of his limbs for thirty-eight years. Should we, who perhaps for many years have scarcely known what it is to be sick for a day, complain of one wearisome night, when many others, better than us, have scarcely known what it is to be well for a day? Christ singled this one out from the rest. Those who have been in affliction for a long time may comfort themselves that God keeps account of how long. Observe, this man speaks of the unkindness of those around him without any peevish reflections.
As we should be thankful, so we should be patient. Our Lord Jesus cures him, though he neither asked nor thought of it. Arise, and walk. God's command (for example, Turn and live, or Make you a new heart) no more supposes power in us without the grace of God—His distinguishing grace—than this command supposed such power in the impotent man. It was by the power of Christ, and he must have all the glory. What a joyful surprise to the poor cripple to find himself suddenly so comfortable, so strong, so able to help himself!
The proof of spiritual cure is our rising and walking. If Christ has healed our spiritual diseases, let us go wherever he sends us, take up whatever he lays upon us, and walk before him.
"So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed. But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up [thy bed], and walk? But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place. 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. The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath." — John 5:10-16 (ASV)
Those relieved from the punishment of sin are in danger of returning to sin when the terror and restraint are over, unless Divine grace dries up the fountain. The misery believers are healed from warns us to sin no more, having felt the pain of sin. This is the voice of every providence: Go, and sin no more.
Christ saw it necessary to give this caution; for it is common for people, when sick, to promise much; when newly recovered, to perform only something; but after a while to forget all. Christ spoke of the wrath to come, which is incomparably worse than the many hours, indeed, weeks and years of pain, some wicked people have to suffer as a consequence of their unlawful indulgences. And if such afflictions are severe, how dreadful will be the everlasting punishment of the wicked!
"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will. For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son; that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him." — John 5:17-23 (ASV)
The divine power of the miracle proved Jesus to be the Son of God, and he declared that he worked with, and like his Father, as he saw fit. These ancient enemies of Christ understood him and became more violent, charging him not only with Sabbath-breaking but also blasphemy, for calling God his own Father and making himself equal with God.
But all things, both now and at the final judgment, are committed to the Son, so that all people might honor the Son as they honor the Father; and everyone who does not honor the Son in this way, whatever they may think or pretend, does not honor the Father who sent him.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." — John 5:24-29 (ASV)
Our Lord declared His authority and character, as the Messiah. The time had come when the dead would hear His voice, as the Son of God, and live. Our Lord first refers to His raising those who were dead in sin to newness of life by the power of the Spirit, and then to His raising the dead in their graves. The office of Judge of all men can only be exercised by one who has all knowledge and almighty power.
May we believe His testimony; thus our faith and hope will be in God, and we will not come into condemnation. And may His voice reach the hearts of those dead in sin, that they may do works meet for repentance and prepare for the solemn day.
"I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth. But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved. He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light. But the witness which I have is greater than [that of] John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not." — John 5:30-38 (ASV)
Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said.
But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises.
The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus made effectual to the conversion of sinners, still proclaims that this is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. But when the hearts of men are full of pride, ambition, and the love of the world, there is no room for the word of God to abide in them.
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