Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:9
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Sabbath – To carry burdens on the Sabbath was forbidden in the Old Testament, Jer 17:21; Neh 13:15; Exo 20:8-10. If it be asked, then, why Jesus commanded a man to do on the Sabbath what was understood to be a violation of the day, it may be answered,
- That the Son of man was Lord of the Sabbath, and had a right to declare what might be done, and even to dispense with a positive law of the Jews, Mat 12:8; Joh 5:17.
- This was a poor man, and Jesus directed him to secure his property.
- The Jews extended the obligation of the Sabbath beyond what was intended by the appointment. They observed it superstitiously, and Jesus took every opportunity to convince them of their error, and to restore the day to its proper observance, Mat 12:6-11; Luk 6:9; Luk 13:14; Luk 14:5. This method he took to show them what the law of God really permitted on that day, and that works of necessity and mercy were lawful.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. The same day was the sabbath.] Mr. Toynard supposes that this miracle was wrought on the 11th of Nisan, the sabbath before the passover, which was celebrated the 14th of Nisan, or 28th of March. But why did our Lord command this man to carry his bed on the sabbath, as the law prohibited all servile work, and especially the carrying of burthens? See Ex 20:8; Jer 17:21; Ne 13:15. To this it may be answered,
1. The man was a poor man, and if he had left his bed he might have lost it; and he could not have conveniently watched it till the next morning.
2. Christ showed by this that he was Lord of the sabbath: see Mt 12:8.
3. This was not contrary to the spirit of the law: the sabbath was made to honour God in, and this was a public monument of his power and goodness.
4. It was consistent with the wisdom of Christ to do his miracles so that they might be seen and known by a multitude of people, and especially in Jerusalem, which was the capital of the country, and the centre of the Jewish religion; and this very circumstance of the healed man carrying his bed on the sabbath day must call the attention of many to this matter, and cause the miracle to be more generally known.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The mans strength returneth immediately; he is able immediately to arise, take up his bed, and to walk. All this was done on the sabbath day; on which day it was unlawful to carry any burdens, Jer 17:21,24; and by the Jewish canons it was punishable by death, or scourging. But our Saviour had a mind to let the Jews know that he was Lord of the sabbath, and what had been unlawful without his special command, became lawful by it. Neither was this against the sense of the law, though against the letter of it; the law only prohibited civil labour, and carrying burdens for their own profit, and in the way of their trade; it forbade the doing of nothing which was to be done as a public testimony of the goodness and mercy of God showed to persons: and by this our Saviour opens a way for his correction of their erroneous opinions about the true sanctification of the sabbath. We shall observe, that our Saviour used the like phrase to him that had the palsy, Mat 9:6; and to the centurions daughter, Mar 5:41, Damsel, arise; and to Lazarus, Joh 11:43, Lazarus, come forth; which our Saviour did for the testification of the miracle to all that should see them. It is further observed by Heinsius, that our Saviour did many miracles on the sabbath day, because that day was the usual time when the Jews were wont to consult the prophets for help, as may be learned from 2Ki 4:23.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. the same day was thesabbathBeyond all doubt this was intentional, as in so manyother healings, in order that when opposition arose on this accountmen might be compelled to listen to His claims and His teaching.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And immediately the man was made whole,…. As soon as ever the words were spoken by Christ, such power went with them, as restored the man to perfect health; and he finding himself to be quite well, rose up directly:
and took up his bed and walked; which may be expressive of a sinner’s rising from the bed of sin, and taking up the cross, or carrying the body of sin and death with him; and walking by faith in Christ, as he has received him:
and on the same day was the sabbath; which is remarked, for the sake of what follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Took up his bed and walked ( ). The same distinction in tenses in the same verbs preserved, punctiliar action in (first aorist active of , took it up at once) and linear act (imperfect active of , went on walking).
The sabbath on that day ( ). The first of the violations of the Sabbath rules of the Jews by Jesus in Jerusalem that led to so much bitterness (cf. John 9:14; John 9:16). This controversy will spread to Galilee on Christ’s return there (Mark 2:23; Matt 12:1-14; Luke 6:1-11).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And immediately the man was made whole,” (kai eutheos egeneto hugies ho anthropos) “And instantly the man came to be whole,” healed from the 38 year ailment, at the word of Jesus Christ, by His miraculous power, that those who beheld it might believe on or trust in Him, as the Saving Messiah, Mar 2:6-11; Luk 5:25; Joh 20:30-31.
2) “And took up his bed and walked: (kai eren ton krabaton autou kai peripatei) “And he took his mattress and walked around,” something he had not done for thirty-eight (38) years; This too must have been occasion for many to glorify God, Luk 5:26; Mar 2:12.
3) “And on the same day was the sabbath.” (en de sabbaton en ekeine te hemera) “Then on that day was a sabbath,” or that was a special holy day, on which teaching of the law might be legally done, a thing Jesus proceeded to do, after being criticized by the Jews, Joh 5:10; Joh 9:14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9. And it was the Sabbath. Christ was well aware how great offense would immediately arise, when they saw a man walk along laden with burdens; for the Law expressly forbids
to carry any burden whatever on the Sabbath-day, (Jer 17:21.)
But there were two reasons why Christ, disregarding this danger, chose to make such an exhibition; first, that the miracle might be more extensively known; and, secondly, that he might give occasion, and, as it were, open up the way for the beautiful discourse which he delivered immediately afterwards. Of so great importance was the knowledge of that miracle, that he found it to be his duty to despise boldly the offense taken by the people, particularly because he had at hand a just defense, by which, though he did not pacify the ungodly, he abundantly refuted their calumnies. We ought therefore to observe this rule, that though the whole world kindle into rage, we ought to proclaim the glory of God and celebrate His works, so far as His glory requires that they should be made known. Nor ought we to be uneasy or discouraged, though our labors should not be immediately successful, provided that we keep in view the object which I have stated, and do not go beyond the limits of our office.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) The man was made whole.The sufferer was known; the healing is in the striking form that none could gainsay.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Took up and walked With the command was given the gracious power of obedience. The man had to venture the volition, and the strength would be present, and the act would follow. So the sinner who is bidden to commit himself to Christ, need not wait for any compulsion or for any sensible moving of the Spirit. Let him do the deed, and the divine strength, the gracious ability, will he find within himself.
Same day sabbath The prophet Jeremiah had commanded, “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath-day,” (Joh 17:21😉 and the Jewish doctors interpreted this to forbid carrying the lightest weight. But the nature of the forbidden burdens appears from Neh 13:15: “treading wine-presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses,” etc.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Ver. 9. And immediately the man ] Christ’s words are operative (together with his commands there goes forth a power, as Luk 5:17 ). So they were in the creation, Gen 1:3 . So they are still in regeneration, Isa 59:21 . Dei dicere, est efficere. For God to say is to do.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Joh 5:9 . Immediately on Christ’s word he became strong, and took up his bed and walked: aorist of one act, imperfect of continued action. Joh 5:10 should begin with the words , as this is the starting-point for what follows.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh 5:9-18
9bNow it was the Sabbath on that day. 10So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.'” 12They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” 18For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
Joh 5:9 b “Now it was the Sabbath” The Jewish leaders did not even rejoice over the man being healed, but they were offended at Jesus breaking the Oral Tradition (later codified in the Talmud) connected with the Sabbath (cf. Joh 5:16; Joh 5:18; Mat 7:1-23).
Jesus’ healings on the Sabbath can be explained in two ways.
1. He healed every day, but controversies developed over the Sabbath healings
2. He chose this issue to cause a controversy as an opportunity to engage the religious leaders in theological dialog
Jesus often healed on the Sabbath (cf. Mat 12:9-14; Mar 1:29-31; Mar 3:1-6; Luk 6:6-11; Luk 14:1-6; Joh 5:9-18; Joh 9:14). Jesus cast out demons on the Sabbath (cf Mar 1:21-28); Luk 13:10-17). Jesus defended the disciples’ eating on the Sabbath (cf. Mat 12:1-8; Mar 2:23-28). Jesus initiated controversial subjects in the synagogue on the Sabbath (cf. Luk 4:16-30; Joh 7:14-24).
Joh 5:13 “Jesus had slipped away” Literally this is “to bend the head to one side.” Jesus looked like a normal Jew of his day. He just melted into the crowd.
Joh 5:14
NASB, NRSV,
NJB”do not sin anymore,”
NKJV”Sin no more”
TEV”so stop sinning”
This is a present active imperative with the negative particle, which often meant stop an act already in process, but in this context this seems unlikely (cf. NET Bible, p. 1907 #8). Jewish theologians of the first century viewed sickness as related to sin (cf. Jas 5:14-15). This does not explain all sickness, as can be seen from Jesus’ dealing with the man who was born blind (cf. John 9) and Jesus’ words in Luk 13:1-4.
Jesus was still dealing with this man’s spiritual life. Our actions do reflect our heart and faith. Biblical faith is both objective and subjective, both belief and action.
Today there is such an emphasis in the church on physical healing. God surely still heals. But divine healing should result in a spiritual change of lifestyle and priorities. A good question might be “why do you want to be healed?”
SPECIAL TOPIC: IS HEALING GOD’S PLAN FOR EVERY AGE?
Joh 5:15 “The man went away, and told the Jews” The exact motivation behind his informing the Jewish authorities is uncertain.
1. it seems to be a thoughtless, petty act which shows that healing did not always begin with faith or end with faith
2. Jesus told him to do so (cf. Mat 8:4; Mar 1:44; Luk 5:14; Luk 17:14)
Joh 5:16 “because He was doing these things on the Sabbath” The verb is an imperfect active indicative which denotes continual action in past time. This was not Jesus’ first (or last) Sabbath healing!
Joh 5:17
NASB”But He answered them”
NKJV, REV,
NRSV, NIV”But Jesus answered them”
NJB”His answer to them was”
The scribes who copied the early Greek manuscripts had a tendency to
1. simplify the grammar
2. make specific the pronominal referents
3. standardize phrases
It is hard to know which form of Joh 5:17 was original.
1. “but He. . .” – P75, , B, W
2. “but Jesus. . .” – P66, A, D, L
3. “but the lord. . .” or “the Lord Jesus” – Syriac translations
The UBS4 gives option #2 a “C” rating (difficulty in deciding).
“My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working” These are both present middle (deponent) indicatives. Jesus was stating that the Father does not stop doing good on the Sabbath and neither does the Son (for a good discussion of this verse see Manfred Brauch, Abusing Scripture, p. 219). This, in a real sense, was an affirmation of Jesus’ understanding of His unique relationship with the Father (cf. Joh 5:19-29).
The Jewish concept of monotheism (cf. Deu 6:4) was practically expressed in a “one cause” explanation of events in this world (cf. Jdg 9:23; Job 2:10; Ecc 7:14; Isa 45:7; Isa 59:16; Lam 3:33-38; Amo 3:6). All actions were ultimately the action of the one true God. When Jesus asserted dual agency in God’s actions in the world, He asserted a dualism of divine causality. This is the difficult problem of the Trinity. One God, but three personal manifestations (cf. Mat 3:16-17; Mat 28:19; Joh 14:26; Act 2:33-34; Rom 8:9-10; 1Co 12:4-6; 2Co 1:21-22; 2Co 13:14; Gal 4:4; Eph 1:3-14; Eph 2:18; Eph 4:4-6; Tit 3:4-6; 1Pe 1:2). See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY at Joh 14:26.
Joh 5:18 “For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him” There are two reasons the Jews wanted to kill Jesus.
1. He publically broke (lit. “loosed,” imperfect active indicative, cf. Mat 5:19) the Oral Tradition (Talmud) concerning the Sabbath
2. His statements showed that they understood Him to be claiming equality with God (cf. Joh 8:58-59; Joh 10:33; Joh 19:7)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
on. Greek. en. App-104.
the same day . . . sabbath = that day a Sabbath. Compare Joh 9:14 and App-176. This seems to imply that it was not the weekly sabbath, but the same as Joh 19:31. See App-156.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Joh 5:9
Joh 5:9
And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.-The man made the effort to obey Jesus. Jesus supplied the power and he was relieved of the infirmity. Gods help always comes to those receiving it in the effort to obey him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
immediately: Joh 5:14, Mar 1:31, Mar 1:42, Mar 5:29, Mar 5:41, Mar 5:42, Mar 10:52, Act 3:7, Act 3:8
and on: Joh 5:10-12, Joh 7:23, Joh 9:14, Mat 12:10-13, Mar 3:2-4, Luk 13:10-16
Reciprocal: Psa 68:28 – commanded Isa 35:6 – shall the lame Jer 17:21 – bear Mat 12:2 – Behold Mar 2:28 – General Mar 3:5 – Stretch Luk 6:2 – Why Joh 7:21 – I have Act 14:10 – Stand
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
A nervous person might be induced to bestir himself momentarily, by the influence of suggestion. But it would require something more than “mind over matter” to enable a man who had been physically helpless for 38 years, not only to walk, but to carry a bed that was large enough to support a man. His recovery was complete and immediate, because that was what Jesus willed to be accomplished in this case. In that of the nobleman’s son (preceding chapter), Jesus only professed to start him on the road to recovery, which was done by causing the “temperature” to drop to normal. That feat was also immediate, for it was done the “same hour” that Jesus spoke the word.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 5:9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. The result is described in words which are a simple echo of the command. Whilst they testify the power of the healing word, they also bring into view the mans will and faith, as shown in his immediate readiness to obey the command of Jesus. Immediately he was made whole, and took up his bed (the mattress which, laid upon the ground, had formed his bed), and walked.
And it was the sabbath on that day. The verses which follow show how important is this notice. As Jesus chose out this one sick man to be the object of His grace, so He of set purpose chose the sabbath day for the performance of the miracle.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Joh 5:9-11. 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 for Christ to do! And took up his bed, and walked Finding himself whole, he did not object against his Deliverers command, though contrary to the precepts of the doctors. He rose up immediately, and, by carrying away his bed with uncommon vigour, showed the greatness and perfection of his cure, not caring who blamed him, or threatened him for doing it. Thus the proof of our spiritual cure is our rising and walking. Hath Christ healed our spiritual diseases? Let us go whithersoever he sends us, and take up and bear whatever he is pleased to lay upon us, and walk before him. And the same day was the sabbath That is, Either the first holy convocation in the feast of unleavened bread, that is, the morrow after the passover solemnity, which was one of the greatest sabbaths, (Joh 19:31,) or the ordinary sabbath happening on the passover week, and consequently the day on which the disciples plucked the ears of corn, as mentioned Mat 12:1-8. The Jews Who saw him pass along the streets in this manner; said, It is the sabbath day, it is not lawful to carry thy bed How is it, then, that thou art so presumptuous as to profane this holy day? It does not appear whether they who thus spoke were magistrates, who had power to punish him, or common people, who could only inform against him; but thus far was commendable, that while they knew not by what authority he did it, they were jealous for the honour of the sabbath, and could not, without concern, see it profaned; like Neh 13:17. He answered, He that made me whole He that with a word restored my strength in an instant; said unto me, Take up thy bed, &c. As if he had said, I do not do this in contempt of the law and the sabbath, but in obedience to one who, by making me whole, hath given an undeniable proof that he is greater than either. He that could work such a miracle as to heal me in a moment of an inveterate disease, doubtless might give me such a command as to carry my bed; he that could overrule the powers of nature, might doubtless overrule a positive law, especially in an instance not of the essence of the law; he that was so kind as to make me whole, would not be so unkind as to bid me do what was sinful. Christ, by curing another paralytic, proved his power to forgive sins; here to give law: if his pardons are valid, his edicts are so, and his miracles prove both.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Joh 5:9 b Joh 5:15. The Conflict with the Authorities.With the man himself the Jews raise the question of bearing burdens on the Sabbath (cf. Jer 17:21). The mans ignorance of who had healed him is one of the many details which suggest that the author is following tradition, or using his memory, rather than inventing for didactic purposes. In Joh 5:5 b a reference is often found to the thirty-eight years of the wandering in the wilderness, mentioned only in Deu 2:14, too obscure a passage for the origin of the detail, which is probably traditional, though the author may have had the parallel in his mind. With Jesus Himself the Jews raise the wider question of Sabbath healing, as in the Synoptists. Joh 5:17 is a summary of His defence. He is doing the will of the Lawgiver. It is the Father who works when His Messenger works. This claim to be a fellow-worker with God seems blasphemous to His opponents and they seek His death. It is not unlikely that the author anticipates a stage in the quarrel which was really reached later. Cf. however, Mar 3:6.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
The invalid experienced healing immediately. Jesus did instantly what God normally does slowly. When the man walked away carrying his mat, he testified to his healing. Normally we cannot immediately use muscles that we have not used for a long time because they atrophy, but this man had the full use of his muscles instantaneously. The prophets had predicted that when Messiah came He would heal the lame (Isa 35:1-7). Here was proof for all Jerusalem to see that Messiah had appeared. He had healed a man whom sickness had bound for 38 years.
By carrying his pallet on the Sabbath the man triggered a controversy. By commanding him to do so Jesus was responsible for the situation that followed. Indeed He deliberately created it. This probably explains in part why Jesus healed this particular man.