John 5:1-15
Q.1. Why did the sick gather at the pool of Bethesda? What prevented the man from getting healed? What strikes you about this healing? – (Jn.5:1-9)
Though there is some dispute about the manuscript support for John 5:3b-4, this does harmonize with the sick man’s response to Jesus – … “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (Jn.5:7). The sick, blind, lame, and withered would have found it advantageous to be near the pool because they needed water for their own use, and also because of the likelihood of receiving alms from other people who came to the pool. Jesus seemed to imply that the man just accepted his plight. He questioned whether the man actually wanted to be healed. He commanded the man to pick up his bedding. This would have drawn attention to His healing on the Sabbath.
Q.2. Why did the Jews question the healed man? What advice did Jesus have for the man? Why did the man identify his healer as Jesus? – (Jn.5:9-15)
The Jews should have been thrilled that the sick man was healed, but instead they focused on the breach of the rules. They inquired about the One responsible for the healing. Jesus had slipped away and had not identified Himself. Later, He warned the man against returning to the conduct that had led to his injury. Now the healed man knew Who it was Who had healed him. In his joy, he passed on that information to his questioners.
Q.3. How angry did the healing of the man make the Jews? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? What stopped them from accepting His claims? – (Jn.5:16-18)
The Jews had so misapplied their religion, that now they not only persecuted Jesus, but – were seeking all the more to kill Him (Jn.5:18). They were prepared to break the sixth commandment, in their attempts to keep the fourth Commandment. (c.f. Mt.5:21-26). Their anger had turned to murderous intent, because Jesus had claimed that He was working just as the Father was always working (Jn.5:17). In this He was claiming to be equal with God. These claims were clearly understood – For 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 (Jn.5:18).