Verse by Verse

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.

God rested on the seventh day because His work of creation was finished. It was good. But when man sinned, God’s work of redemption began. The Father has been unfolding His plan for redemption, and now the Son had arrived to do His role.

hitherto (v. 17) = until now

Jesus Christ is in fellowship with God and shares His council and His work. He is equal with God and therefore God.

He said “My Father,” not “our Father.” He had a relationship with God they couldn’t have. The Jews understood what His words conveyed, although they disagreed.

When the elders said Jesus made Himself equal with God, He didn’t disagree with their statement but continued His claims to be God.

The Gospels record seven times when Jesus healed on the Sabbath — Mark 1:21-28; Mark 1:29-31; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; John 9:1-16.

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.

The Jews (Jewish leaders) didn’t care that the man was miraculously healed, only that he carried a blanket on the sabbath. The 39th and last rule in the tradition of the elders (man-made, not from God) was that nothing could be carried on the sabbath.

Nehemiah 13:9 and Jeremiah 17:21 mention carrying loads on the sabbath, but both refer to merchandise.

conveyed Himself away (v. 13) — to avoid attention and popular admiration. His moving away may have been done miraculously as in Luke 4:30.

lest a worse thing come unto thee (v. 14) — Likely, the man’s affliction was the result of a sin he had indulged in.

I think the elders knew who Jesus was and that they were upset, not that He broke the sabbath but, that He revealed that their rules and their “holiness” were hogwash.

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.

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

feast of the Jews (v. 1) — John did not refer to the feast as Jehovah’s feast because it was just an outward religious ceremony. The feast was probably Pentecost, one of three annual feasts for which Jewish males were required to travel to Jerusalem.

sheep gate (v. 2 — Nehemiah 3:1) — The gate through which sacrificial animals were brought to the temple.

Bethesda (v. 2) = house of mercy

The last clause in verse 3 and all of verse 4 are not in the earliest manuscripts and were probably added later by someone other than John.

If verse 4 wasn’t written by John (and it has always bothered me some) — There was probably a superstition that when the spring bubbled, the first one in would be healed. And since, as this passage shows, the healthier always got in first, the superstition probably wasn’t often put to much of a test.

If an angel did move the water, perhaps it was to show the impotency of the Law to save — The crippled man was there 38 years! — and how Christ was far superior to the Law.

46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

49 The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

nobleman (v. 46) — courtier, perhaps in Herod’s court

The weakness of the man’s faith was shown by his desire that Jesus should “come down.” Contrast this with the centurion in Matthew 8:8.

seventh hour (v. 52) — one p.m.

The man believed Jesus’ word (v.50). His word brought life (John 6:63).

This is the second miracle (v.54) — both were 3rd day events. the first was turning water into wine (John 2:1).

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

40 So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode there two days.

41 And many more believed because of His own word;

42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

43 Now after two days He departed thence, and went into Galilee.

44 For Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in His own country.

45 Then when He was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Prophecy of Christ’s ministry in Galillee — Isaiah 9:1-2: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The reason for His ministry is given in Matthew 4:12-16: Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

know (verse 42) = absolute knowledge and complete perception

Verse 42 — Many manuscripts do not include “the Christ.” The woman told them who He was — the Christ — but now they discovered what He was — the Savior.

country (verse 44) = father country, native place

His own country — Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24)

received Him (verse 45) — as a miracle-worker, but not as a prophet or as Messiah (see John 2:24-25 and John 4:48)

The Jews believed (but not really) because of His miracles. The Samaritans really believed because of His word alone without any miracles.

31 In the mean while His disciples prayed Him, saying, Master, eat.

32 But He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought Him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.

meat (v.32) = food. That which satisfies.

to do the will of Him that sent Me (He was sent for a purpose) (v.34) — taking the role of a servant. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day (John 6:38-39). But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:7-8).

finish His work (v.34) — His death and resurrection. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do (John 17:4). When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:30). God’s work is appointing us for salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Christ’s work is doing the actual saving. He finishes the work.

What He was accomplishing for the world, He had just accomplished for the Samaritan woman.

The disciples considered Samaria an unlikely field. They thought it would take a long time and a lot of work to harvest.

There are yet four months … harvest (v.35) — Probably a cliche of the time to indicate the period between sowing and reaping.

Lift up your eyes (v.35) — perhaps Jesus pointed at the approaching crowd of Samaritans. In this case, sowing and reaping occurred one right after the other.

The reaper of a spiritual harvest receives spiritual wages — fruit — bringing others to eternal life. Sowing is labor. Reapers enjoy the rewards of the sowers’ efforts. Unlike in a physical harvest, where only the reaper rejoices in the fruit, in a spiritual harvest, both the sower and the reaper rejoice and receive wages.

that saying — He was referring perhaps to Micah 6:15 — Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine. Or perhaps this was another adage of the time.

other men labored (v.38) — Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist. Labored = same word used in verse 6 as “wearied.”

Verse 38 is perhaps a reference to events in Matthew 10:7-8: And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

“He that reapeth receiveth wages” seems to mean, This is a work in which it is indeed a privilege to be engaged, for the laborer receives a glorious reward, inasmuch as he “gathereth fruit unto life eternal.” The reward is an eternal one, for not only do those saved through the labors of the reaper receive eternal life, but because of this the joy of both will be eternal too. “That both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” The sower may have labored hard toward the salvation of souls, and yet never be permitted to witness in this life the success which God gave to his efforts. The reaper, however, does witness the ingathering; nevertheless, both sower and reaper shall rejoice together in the everlasting salvation of those garnered through their joint efforts. — Pink, page 220.

25 The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that He talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest Thou with her?

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

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

30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him.

The woman had her sin and false worship exposed. She longed for the Messiah who would make it all clear to her.

I know the Messiah comes (v.25) — in response to Christ’s words, “the hour comes.”

The woman expressed her desire for the Messiah and Jesus immediately responded, in essence, “You have Him” (v.26). I that speak unto thee am He = literally, “I AM that speaketh unto thee.” I AM is a title of Jehovah. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58).

Jesus avoided telling the Jews He was the Messiah. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost Thou make us to doubt? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly (John 10:24). They didn’t understand what and who the Messiah was, but He told the Samaritans.

The disciples wondered that Jesus would talk with a Samaritan, but they knew better than to ask Him about it (v.27). As a rule, Rabbis didn’t talk with women (and certainly not ones with this woman’s reputation) and Jews didn’t talk with Samaritans.

left her water pot (v.28) — left her errand undone. Her spiritual thirst was satisfied. She forgot about her physical thirst.

She went from an adulteress to a witness in minutes.

They … came unto Him (v.30) — the verb suggests that more and more people kept on coming.

20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Having become convinced that Jesus was a prophet, the woman’s mind turned to worshiping God (v.20).

The Samaritans worshiped on nearby Mount Gerizim (v.20) where, they believed (incorrectly), that Abraham offered Isaac. They built a temple on the mountain. It was destroyed by Hyrcanus in 129 BC. Where to worship was the leading cause of contention between the Samaritans (who only used the Pentatuch) and the Jews (who had God’s entire revelation to that point).

Jesus told her of a coming day (v.21) when worship would be unconnected from the mountain and from Jerusalem.

Ye worship ye know not what (v.22) — The Samaritans followed a man-made religion with no authority.

Salvation (v.22) — the woman needed to be saved, not concern herself with issues about where to worship

The salvation is of the Jews (v.22). Jesus was referring to Himself. Salvation, in Hebrew, is “Jehoshua.” Jesus (Greek) comes from the Hebrew word. But also, until Paul was sent to the Gentiles, nobody could be saved except through the Jewish religion.

The hour cometh (v.23) — a prophecy of the kingdom. It was offered first at Pentecost when the Spirit was given, Christ was risen, and the Jews worshiped God. The temple veil was ripped. But then the Jews rejected the Holy Spirit, and the kingdom was delayed.

Father seeketh (v.23) — God seeks us for the purpose of worshiping Him.

In the Old Testament, God is never worshiped as Father, only as Jehovah. Only through the Son is the relationship between the Father (God) and the believers (sons of God) established.

God is a spirit — not limited to a specific place, omnipresent.

worship in Spirit (v.24) — not external rites, but to worship with the mind and heart.

in truth (v.24) — in a true way, according to God’s Word

15 The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

19 The woman saith unto Him, Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet.

give me this water (v.15) — She responded, but she still didn’t understand. She thought Jesus was talking about magical, but physical, water.

Jesus stopped talking about the gift of grace and began showing her her need for a Savior by bringing out her sin. He knew her sin, but still He told her to come.

Go … and come here (v.16) — Go confront your sinfulness and come to Jesus in your true character, a self-confessed sinner. He offered truth and grace.

She still didn’t know who He was, but she knew He had divine knowledge (v.19).