JOHN 5

Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-16 The pool of Bethesda. Verses 17-23 The Son’s relationship with the Father. Verses 24-38 The Judgement of the Believer’s Sins. Verses 39-47 Search the scriptures. John 5 and verse 1 reads.

John 5:1] After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Let’s go to Deuteronomy 16 and verse 1 reads.

Deu.16:1] Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Now let’s go to Leviticus 23 and verse 2 reads.

Lev.23:2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
[3] Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
[4] These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

There are two weeks given for the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, one week is given for Pentecost. These are the only Holy weeks to be observed by Israel. Back to John 5 and verse 2 reads.

John 5:2] Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

Bethesda means; House of kindness, House of mercy or flowing waters.

John 5:3] In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

These people waited for the water movement from one of the five porches.

John 5:4] For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

Traditions of men that make void the Word of God. This angel was a fairy tale told by man. The stream was intermittent, meaning it didn’t run all the time. But man being man he couldn’t help himself I guess. Let’s go to Jeremiah 17 and verse 5 reads.

Jer.17:5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
[6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
[7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Blessed is he that puts his trust in the LORD, cursed is he that trust in man. Back to John 5 and verse 5 reads.

John 5:5] And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
[6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The LORD knows his children, this man was in his infirmity for thirty eight years. Not the last time Jesus will use a man for his purpose. Let’s go to Hebrews 4 and verse 13 reads.

Heb.4:13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Now let’s go to John 9 and verse 1 reads.

John 9:1] And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
[2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

God will use his children that the works of God should be made known to others. Back to the man at the pool, John 5 and verse 7 reads.

John 5:7] The impotent 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.
[8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Jesus simply spoke and he was healed. This will upset the Pharisees because they could not heal this man for thirty eight years. This is called jealousy.

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.

Here we go again, healing on the sabbath.

John 5:10] The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

Overlooking that this man was no longer a cripple, they couldn’t even be thankful for that, but instead claim he is breaking the law of the sabbath. Let’s go to Exodus 20 and verse 10 reads.

Exo.20:10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

True he couldn’t carry a bed on the sabbath by law. But he had been healed, and the one who healed him said to take up thy bed and walk. Back to John 5 and verse 11 reads.

John 5:11] He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
[12] Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
[13] And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

This word conveyed means; to avoid blows. Let’s go to 1Corinthians 5 and verse 7 reads.

1Cor.5:7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Jesus Christ became our Passover, the highest sabbath. He is the Sabbath, which means rest. Back to John 5 and verse 14 reads.

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 come unto thee.

Jesus sought out this man and said sin no more. This means repent and your sins are blotted out as if they never existed. The beauty of Christianity.

John 5:15] The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

These Pharisees who are mad because this man was healed and made whole again, carried his bed on the sabbath. They never praised God for his healing, nor did they ever help him into the pool. Pay attention, here is the sign of a Kenite.

John 5:16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

Persecute means; Hated. Sought to kill him because he did good on the sabbath. I have searched the scriptures and nowhere is it said you can’t heal on the sabbath day. These are Kenites by their own actions. Kenites H7014 are the offspring of Cain the first murderer. The serpent’s seed.

John 5:17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
[18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Again, there is nowhere in God’s law that says you cannot heal on the sabbath. More importantly we must understand all of us are children of God.

John 5:19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
[20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
[21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

Quickeneth means; to make alive. Think that they were mad because of his healing on the sabbath, wait until they hear him say he is the Son of God.

John 5:22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Jesus is our Arbitrator and he is also Judge, but came in the flesh as Savior. Let’s go back to John 3 and verse 15 reads.

John 3:15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

And in 1Peter 4 and verse 5 reads.

1Pet.4:5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

While he was yet in the tomb, Jesus went to the other side of the gulf to preach to those in prison. Back to John 5 and verse 23 reads.

John 5:23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Let’s go to Judges 9 and verse 8 reads.

Judges 9:8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

Olive in Greek is G1636 elaia pronounced el-ah’-yah. El for God and Yah being his Holy name.

Judges 9:9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

The olive tree denied the other trees to be king over them. Let’s go to 1John 2 and verse 23 reads.

1John 2:23] Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
[24] Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
[25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Back to John 5 and verse 24 reads.

John 5:24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:16 believeth what? That Jesus is the Living Word, it is this that gives everlasting life. We must believe what is written. Let’s go back to John 1 and verse 1 reads.

John 1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

And verse 14 reads.

John 1:14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

This is the promise of Life everlasting, whosoever believes in the Word of God. Back to John 5 and verse 25 reads.

John 5:25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
[26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

The hour coming and is now, refers to John 1:14. These that are dead are spiritually dead and will receive life everlasting for those that believe. And to have life in himself is the Father will raise the Son from the dead.

John 5:27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Son of man meaning Immanuel, God with us. Don’t overlook it is the Father that gives the Son authority. Jesus will be asked, By what authority do you cleanse the temple, he just gave us the answer here.

John 5:28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
[29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

This hour is different from the one above, this one is when he is in the tomb. Let’s go to 1Peter 3 and verse 18 reads.

1Pet.3:18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
[19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Jesus said in verse 29 that those who repented found salvation and life. But those who were evil found damnation. Back to John 5 and verse 30 reads.

John 5:30] I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
[31] If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
[32] There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

We find this witness in 1John 5 and verse 6 reads.

1John 5:6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

By water, he was born in the flesh. By blood, he became our Passover Lamb. The Holy Spirit witnessed and none else is needed. Back to John 5 and verse 33 reads.

John 5:33] Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

Speaking of John the Baptist. Jesus said they themselves sent to John and John bared witness of the Truth, Jesus Christ. Let’s go to John 1 and we find this in verse 19 and it reads.

John 1:19] And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
[20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

Back to John 5 and verse 34 reads.

John 5:34] But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
[35] He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

Not by testimony of man. Let’s go to 2Peter 1 and verse 19 reads.

2Pet.1:19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We just learned above that the witness was the Holy Spirit. It is also written in Rev.19:10 For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Back to John 5 and verse 36 reads.

John 5:36] But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Let’s go back to 1John 5 and verse 9 reads.

1John 5:9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

Jesus did finish the work the Father had sent him to do. In John 19 we hear his last words on the cross, and verse 30 reads.

John 19:30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Back to John 5 and verse 37 reads.

John 5:37] And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

But these Pharisees claim to sit in the seat of Moses. Let’s go to Deuteronomy 4 and verse 11 reads.

Deu.4:11] And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.
[12] And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

Back to John 5 and verse 38 reads.

John 5:38] And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
[39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

It is written in both law and prophets of Jesus Christ, Salvation. Let’s go to Isaiah 8 and verse 20 reads.

Isa.8:20] To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

And in Isaiah 34, verse 16 reads.

Isa.34:16] Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

Even Moses prophesied of Jesus Christ in Deuteronomy 18 and verse 15 reads.

Deu.18:15] The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Notice the uppercase P in Prophets, Jesus Christ.

Deu.18:16] According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
[17] And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
[18] I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
[19] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

But they will not hear the Word of the LORD. These are Kenites. Back to John 5 and verse 40 reads.

John 5:40] And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Let’s go back to John 1 and verse 8 reads.

John 1:8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Back to John 5 and verse 41 reads.

John 5:41] I receive not honour from men.
[42] But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
[43] I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

This is Jesus calling them Kenites. Let’s go to John 8 and verse 42 reads.

John 8:42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

These are the children of Cain, the first murderer, and are called Kenites. Very important to understand the first six chapters of Genesis for this reason. Cain was not the son of Adam, but of that wicked one, the serpent, Satan.

John 8:45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
[46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
[47] He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Jesus spoke boldly to the Kenites. Back to John 5 and verse 44 reads.

John 5:44] How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
[45] Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

Let’s go to Romans 2 and verse 11 reads.

Rom.2:11] For there is no respect of persons with God.
[12] For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
[13] (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Back to John 5 and verse 46 reads.

John 5:46] For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

We read that above in Deuteronomy 18:15-18.

John 5:47] But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

This reminds me of the rich man and Lazareth. When the rich man asked Abraham to send him back to his brother’s, Abraham said this in Luke 16 and verse 29 reads.

Luke 16:29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Jesus taught us today to search the scriptures. This is why I use and recommend a KJV Bible with references. It allows you to go back and search the scriptures as I do when I teach God’s Word. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible