Commentary on John 5:10-18

John 5:10

KJV 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. CEV ¹⁰ When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him, “This is the Sabbath! No one is allowed to carry a mat on the Sabbath.”

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

Adventist Commentary: The focus of the Jewish leaders here reflects the legalism that had crept into their Sabbath observance. Instead of seeing the Sabbath as a day for acts of mercy, they viewed it through the lens of strict rule-keeping. Ellen G. White in The Desire of Ages notes that the Pharisees had added countless man-made rules to the Sabbath, burdening people. In contrast, Christ sought to show the true purpose of the Sabbath: a time of rest and spiritual healing, not legalistic restrictions.

Other Commentators: Many other commentators, like Matthew Henry, see this as an example of how tradition and legalism can obscure the heart of the law. The healed man had experienced a miraculous work of God, but the religious leaders were more concerned with their interpretations of Sabbath law than with the mercy and power of God manifested through the healing.

John 5:11

KJV ¹¹ He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. CEV ¹¹ But he replied, “The man who healed me told me to pick up my mat and walk.”

"He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk."

Adventist Commentary: Here, the healed man points to the authority of the one who healed him. Adventist commentators often emphasize that true obedience follows Christ's commands, even when it conflicts with human traditions. The man, having been healed by Jesus, was naturally inclined to follow Jesus' instruction, reflecting the priority of divine authority over human law.

Other Commentators: Albert Barnes points out that this man was defending himself not out of rebellion but out of reverence for the one who had healed him. Barnes notes that the man was in a difficult position—he had to choose between obeying the religious authorities or the one who had miraculously healed him. His decision to follow the latter demonstrates a form of faith, even if it was not fully formed at this point.

John 5:12

KJV ¹² Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? CEV ¹² They asked him, “Who is this man that told you to pick up your mat and walk?”

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

Adventist Commentary: The question of the religious leaders demonstrates their deep concern with authority and maintaining control over religious observance. They were not asking out of curiosity or to give glory to God, but rather to find fault. Ellen G. White notes in The Desire of Ages that this illustrates how pride and legalism had blinded them to the true work of God in their midst.

Other Commentators: F.F. Bruce points out that this interrogation reveals their unwillingness to see beyond their rigid traditions. They were fixated on who could have given such a command, not recognizing the possibility that it was the Messiah, thus missing the true significance of the event.

John 5:13

KJV ¹³ And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. CEV ¹³ But he did not know who Jesus was, and Jesus had left because of the crowd.

"And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place."

Adventist Commentary: Jesus did not heal for attention or personal glory. Adventist scholars often highlight how this aligns with Christ’s humility and mission-focused approach. He healed out of compassion, not for recognition, a reminder of the quiet, powerful way God often works.

Other Commentators: Many commentators, including John Calvin, note that the man’s ignorance of who Jesus was highlights the grace of Christ in healing those who may not even fully understand Him yet. This reflects God’s initiative in bringing healing and salvation, even before we recognize who He is or what He has done for us.

John 5:14

KJV 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. CEV ¹⁴ Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, “You are now well. But don't sin anymore or something worse might happen to you.”

"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."

Adventist Commentary: This verse speaks to the holistic nature of Christ's healing. Adventist teachings emphasize the connection between physical healing and spiritual health. Ellen G. White points out that the command to “sin no more” reflects the idea that while physical healing is important, spiritual healing and transformation are critical. Jesus warns the man that a worse consequence—possibly eternal separation from God—could result from continuing in sin.

Other Commentators: William Barclay remarks that this warning reflects Jesus' view that sin has far-reaching consequences, not just for the soul but for the whole person. The "worse thing" may not be a physical ailment but spiritual ruin. Some commentators, like R.C. Sproul, interpret this to mean that sin can bring about both physical and spiritual harm, thus emphasizing the need for repentance after receiving God’s grace.

John 5:15

KJV ¹⁵ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. CEV ¹⁵ The man left and told the leaders that Jesus was the one who had healed him.

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

Adventist Commentary: Ellen White notes that the healed man’s declaration points to Jesus as the ultimate source of healing, but his action of telling the Jewish leaders also sets the stage for the growing opposition to Jesus. Adventists often view this as a reminder that faithfulness to Christ’s works and teachings will sometimes bring persecution or opposition.

Other Commentators: Some commentators, like Leon Morris, interpret the man’s actions as neutral, possibly out of a sense of duty to the religious leaders, while others see it as a more negative response—turning over Jesus to those who opposed Him. Regardless, this act draws attention to Jesus, marking the start of increased hostility from the Jewish authorities.

John 5:16

KJV ¹⁶ And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. CEV ¹⁶ They started making a lot of trouble for Jesus because he did things like this on the Sabbath.

"And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day."

Adventist Commentary: In Adventist theology, this verse is key to understanding how legalism can corrupt true Sabbath observance. Jesus was persecuted because He challenged the narrow interpretation of the Sabbath, showing that the Sabbath was meant for acts of mercy, healing, and restoration. Adventists believe that true Sabbath observance includes not only rest but also acts of kindness and compassion.

Other Commentators: John Gill notes that the hostility towards Jesus arose not from His actions alone but from the threat He posed to their authority. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath became a flashpoint because it exposed the religious leaders' misinterpretation of the law. This verse marks the beginning of their intensified plot against Him, motivated by fear of losing their control over religious observance.

John 5:17

KJV ¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. CEV ¹⁷ But Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and this is why I keep on working.”

"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Adventist Commentary: This is a profound declaration of Jesus’ divinity. Adventists believe that Jesus' work on the Sabbath mirrors God’s ongoing work of sustaining creation and redeeming humanity. Just as God does not cease to give life or uphold the universe on the Sabbath, Jesus also does works of healing and salvation on that day. Ellen White notes that Christ's statement emphasizes that the Sabbath is not a day for mere inactivity but a time to align with God’s work of restoration.

Other Commentators: Many commentators, including D.A. Carson, view this statement as a key moment in Jesus’ self-revelation as the Son of God. By aligning His work with that of the Father, Jesus directly claims divine authority, which the Jewish leaders would have seen as blasphemy. Carson also notes the theological depth of Jesus' statement—that God’s work did not cease after creation but continues in sustaining and redeeming the world.

John 5:18

KJV 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. CEV ¹⁸ Now the leaders wanted to kill Jesus for two reasons. First, he had broken the law of the Sabbath. But even worse, he had said God was his Father, which made him equal with God.

"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."

Adventist Commentary: This verse solidifies the growing opposition to Jesus, now not just because He violated their Sabbath laws but because He claimed equality with God. Adventists affirm that Jesus is indeed equal with God, being fully divine. Ellen White explains that the Jewish leaders could not accept this truth, as it threatened their entire religious system and interpretation of the law.

Other Commentators: R.C. Sproul notes that this verse marks a turning point in the Gospel, where Jesus’ claims to divinity become central to the opposition against Him. The Jews understood clearly that Jesus was making a claim of equality with God, and this was considered the ultimate blasphemy. Theologically, this verse affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, with Jesus clearly asserting His divine nature as the Son who works in perfect unity with the Father.

Conclusion:

John 5:10-18

KJV 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. 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. 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. ¹⁵ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. ¹⁶ And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 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. CEV ¹⁰ When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him, “This is the Sabbath! No one is allowed to carry a mat on the Sabbath.” ¹¹ But he replied, “The man who healed me told me to pick up my mat and walk.” ¹² They asked him, “Who is this man that told you to pick up your mat and walk?” ¹³ But he did not know who Jesus was, and Jesus had left because of the crowd. ¹⁴ Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, “You are now well. But don't sin anymore or something worse might happen to you.” ¹⁵ The man left and told the leaders that Jesus was the one who had healed him. ¹⁶ They started making a lot of trouble for Jesus because he did things like this on the Sabbath. ¹⁷ But Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and this is why I keep on working.” ¹⁸ Now the leaders wanted to kill Jesus for two reasons. First, he had broken the law of the Sabbath. But even worse, he had said God was his Father, which made him equal with God.
reveals key theological themes: the nature of the Sabbath, the divinity of Christ, and the tension between legalism and grace. Both Adventist and other Christian commentators emphasize the importance of understanding the Sabbath not just as a day of rest but as a time for healing, compassion, and spiritual renewal. Jesus' claim to work as His Father works affirms His divinity and challenges the religious establishment, setting the stage for the growing opposition that will ultimately lead to His crucifixion.