John 5:15

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

The man {G444} departed {G565}, and {G2532} told {G312} the Jews {G2453} that {G3754} it was {G2076} Jesus {G2424}, which {G3588} had made {G4160} him {G846} whole {G5199}.

The man went off and told the Judeans it was Yeshua who had healed him;

And the man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

Commentary

John 5:15 describes the immediate aftermath of Jesus' miraculous healing of an invalid man at the Pool of Bethesda. After Jesus had found the man in the temple and given him a warning, the man went and revealed Jesus' identity to the Jewish authorities.

Context

This verse is pivotal as it directly follows the miraculous healing at the Pool of Bethesda, where a man who had been infirm for 38 years was instantly restored by Jesus' command to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." The healing took place on the Sabbath, which immediately sparked controversy with the Jewish leaders. The man was initially questioned by the Jews for carrying his bed on the Sabbath (John 5:10). After Jesus' subsequent warning to the man in the temple to "sin no more", the man then tells the Jews who his healer was, setting the stage for significant conflict.

Key Themes

  • Revelation and Testimony: The man, having experienced a profound physical healing, now acts as a witness, revealing Jesus' identity to those in authority. His testimony confirms Jesus' power and presence. While it led to negative consequences for Jesus, it was a factual account of what had transpired.
  • The Sabbath Controversy Escalates: The man's disclosure directly led to the Jewish leaders' persecution of Jesus. Jesus' actions on the Sabbath (healing and commanding the man to carry his bed) challenged their strict interpretation of the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding what was permissible work on the holy day. This conflict highlights the clash between rigid legalism and divine compassion.
  • Consequence of Truth: The verse illustrates that revealing the truth about Jesus and His works can sometimes provoke opposition, especially from those whose authority or traditions are challenged. The man's simple statement had profound ramifications for Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "made him whole" translates the Greek word hygiฤ“s (แฝ‘ฮณฮนฮฎฯ‚), meaning "healthy," "sound," or "well." It emphasizes a complete physical restoration, not just a partial improvement. This word highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing power, bringing the man back to full health and capability.

Practical Application

John 5:15 reminds us that genuine encounters with Christ's power often lead to a desire to share what He has done. While the man's testimony inadvertently intensified opposition against Jesus, it underscores the importance of bearing witness to God's transformative work in our lives. It also serves as a reminder that divine truth, especially when it challenges human traditions, can meet with resistance. For believers today, it encourages us to acknowledge Jesus as the source of our healing and wholeness, even when doing so might be inconvenient or unpopular.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

  • John 5:12

    Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

  • John 9:30

    The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes.

  • John 9:11

    He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

  • John 9:12

    Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

  • John 9:34

    They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

  • Mark 1:45

    But he went out, and began to publish [it] much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
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