Dr. Dony K. Donev: Introduction to John 5

• Focus on a small part of Chapter 5; full chapter will be addressed in another talk.

• Expository Bible study principle: do not omit what the author intends; understand the context.

• John’s Gospel narrative in brief:

  • Chapter 1 – Creation and beginning.

  • Chapter 2 – Christ’s first miracle (water to wine).

  • Chapter 3 – Nicodemus and questions of faith.

  • Chapter 4 – Woman at the well.

  • Chapter 5 – Paralytic man (focus of this study).

Application: We see ourselves in these stories:

• At the well with the woman.
• With the paralytic, facing sickness or oppression.
• In creation, asking questions about beginnings.
• John’s Gospel speaks to our lives and experiences.

Verse 1: Context & Significance

• “The Feast of the Jews” = Passover (second recorded Passover Jesus attended).

• Chronology: Jesus ministered ~3–3.5 years, not four.

• Johannian phrase: “After these things…” (Greek: meta tauta). Contextually links back to previous events (Samaritan woman, previous miracles).

Verse 2: Present Continuous Action

• “Now was” vs. “there was” → emphasizes ongoing reality.

• Location: Sheep Gate, Pool of Bethesda (“House of Mercy”), five porches.

• Historical significance: gate restored by Nehemiah; miracles happen through preparation and prior work.

• Water symbolism: continuous in John’s Gospel.

Verse 3: The Multitude at Bethesda

• People lying on porches: sick, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the stirring of the water.

• Place functioned like a hospital or hospice, offering mercy but not healing.

• Importance: highlights the need for action, faith, and not just passive waiting.

Verse 4: Angel’s Stirring of Water

• Angel stirred water; first to enter after stirring was healed.

• Greek: “troubling” of water → divine or angelic activity.

• Step of faith required to enter: miracle is available, but effort is needed.

Verse 5–7: The Paralytic Man

• Man had been ill for 38 years.

• His theology: “A man have I none…” → depended on others, not God directly.

• Lesson: don’t wait on another; God can act directly.

• Human tendency: self-pity, victim mentality.

• Jesus asks: “Do you want to be well?” – Highlights awareness, desire for change, and personal responsibility.

Verse 8: Jesus Commands Healing

• “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.”

• Immediate healing, resurrection-like command (Greek: anistemi).

• Significance: ignores self-pity, performs the miracle directly.

• Steps in healing: man immediately rises, strength restored, carries his bed/stretcher.

• Application: miracles require obedience and action; prior failures don’t prevent success.

Verse 10–12: Testing by Religious Leaders

• Sabbath controversy: “It is not lawful to carry thy bed.”

• Misplaced focus: rules over divine action.

• Observation: miracle transcends human rules; legalistic thinking may blind people to God’s power.

• The healed man didn’t initially know who Jesus was → possible to receive miracle without knowing fully, but sustaining it requires knowing God.

Verse 14: Warning Against Sin

• Jesus instructs: “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

• Connection: healing is not just physical but spiritual; continued obedience sustains the miracle.

Key Observations & Theological Lessons

1. The man who had no human helper was found by the Son of Man who created all men.

2. Healing is a believer’s right; Jesus administers it within the covenant of creation, restoring balance to the universe.

3. Miracles point to Christ as the central figure (water symbolism, “man of the hour”).

4. Faith, obedience, and direct encounter with God are crucial.

Practical Applications

• Everyone can receive a miracle.

• God makes healing and restoration possible.

• Personal faith and obedience maintain the miracle in daily life.

• Step of faith is often required; God provides directly.