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?
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.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The crippled man might be a type of Israel which wandered in the wilderness for 38 years after the Law was given. The Law cannot help a sinner because he has no strength to obey it. Jesus did what the Law could not do.
The lame leaping is a sign of the Kingdom to Israel. Isaiah 35:6: Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Jesus’ healing was witness that the King was here. See also Acts 3:1-8. The 1st miracle after Pentecost was healing the lame — evidence that the Kingdom was still being offered at that time.
Wilt thou be made whole? (v. 6) — We have free will. The Lord will not force Himself on us. But it also shows His sovereignty — there was a “multitude” by the pool, but as far as we know, Jesus only healed this one man who didn’t even know who He was.
rise (v.8) — have faith
take up thy bed (v.8) — no turning back
walk (v.8) — the life of the saved.
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