John 5

1
John 5

• Jesus on the Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

2
Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel

• Ch. 1 Introduction Prologue and Witness of John
• Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")
• Theme Through signs and discourses, Jesus
  reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save
  the world, but is rejected by the world.
• Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation
• Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility
• Christological claims become more explicit.
• The Jews become increasingly hostile.
• Organized around Jewish festivals, which Jesus
  fulfills
• w Sabbath (ch. 5)
• w Passover (ch. 6)
• w Tabernacles (ch. 7-8)
• w Hanukkah (ch. 9-10)
• Ch. 11-12 Final rejection
• Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples ("Book of
  Passion/Glory")
• Ch. 21 Appendix Appearance in Galilee

3
Chapter 5Jesus on the Sabbath Life-Giver and
Judge

• Sabbath
• Set in Jerusalem during unspecified festival
  also Sabbath.
• Sabbath was 7th day of rest rooted in Creation
  story (even God rests on Sabbath).
• Pharisees took very seriously 39 categories of
  prohibited labor.
• Rabbinic theology Does God rest on Sabbath? Yes,
  but not entirely.
• Gods work as Creator ceases on Sabbath (Gen.
  22-3).
• Gods work as Judge (providential care and rule
  over world) continues on Sabbath as seen in
  fact that births and deaths occur on Sabbath.
• Sabbath-observance was likely a key issue in
  friction between Johannine community and
  synagogue.

4
Third Sign Healing a Lame Man (51-9)Jesus on
the Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

• Setting (v. 1-3)
• a. Pool by the Sheep Gate at Bethesda/Bethzatha/Be
  thsaida (v. 2).
• Has been excavated just north of temple.
• Large public bath surrounded by 4 porticos
  divided by a fifth.
• b. Gathering place for sick hoping for a cure (v.
  3).
• V. 4 is later textual gloss not in best
  manuscripts.
• V. 7 seems to presuppose some such popular
  belief.
• Description of illness (v. 5-7)
• Lame man has been ill 38 years.
• Jesus takes initiative asks if he wants to be
  made well.
• Response seems hesitant utter despair,
  hopelessness.
• Cure Command to stand, take mat, and walk (v. 8
  cf. Mk. 29).
• Demonstration (v. 9)
• The lame man takes up mat and walksJesus gives
  him back his life.
• Now we learn it was on Sabbath.

5
Controversy with the Jews (59-18)Jesus on the
Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

• The Jews confront the cured man (v. 9-13).
• Charge violating Sabbath by carrying his mat.
• Man shifts blame to his healer but doesnt know
  who it was.
• Jesus finds the man in the Temple (v. 14-15).
• Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse
  happens to you.
• Reflects trad. view of illness as punishment for
  sin (cf. Mk. 25, 9-11).
• Existence of evil is due to sin in general, but
  we cannot assume direct connection between
  particular illnesses and particular sins.
• Blind mans condition is due neither to his sin
  nor to his parents (93).
• Galileans slaughtered by Pilate and the 18
  crushed by falling tower were not worse sinners
  than others (Lk. 131-5).
• There is an illness worse than paralysis sin
  with greater consequences separation from
  God.
• Healed man tells the Jews it was Jesus who
  healed him.

6
Controversy with the Jews (59-18)Jesus on the
Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

• The Jews now persecute Jesus for violating
  Sabbath (v. 16-18).
• Jesus defense My Father is still working, and
  I also am working.
• Rabbis Gods work as Judge (providence)
  continues on Sabbath, as seen in births and
  deaths on Sabbath.
• Jesus work on Sabbath is same as Gods
  Life-giver and Judge.
• Now the Jews seek to kill him.

7
Discourse on Jesus Authority (519-47)Jesus on
the Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

• Unity of Father and Son (v. 19-20).
• Son does only what the Father does.
• Parable of the carpenters shop (Dodd).
• Functional unity do same works and deserve
  same honor.
• Jesus has no authority independent of God.
• His authority comes out of total dependence and
  submission one with God in will and purpose
  (cf. v. 30).
• Two works of Father are entrusted to Son (v.
  21-23)
• Giving life Jesus healings are signs of power
  to give eternal life.
• Pronouncing judgment occurs in peoples
  response to Jesus.
• Judgment, resurrection, and eternal life (v.
  24-30).
• Realized eschatology (v. 24-25) resurrection,
  judgment, eternal life occur now by faith in
  Jesus.
• Future eschatology (v. 28-29) same themes in
  futuristic language future consummation.
• Link between the two (v. 26-27) Son of Man who
  will come to judge confronts us now in Jesus.

8
Discourse on Jesus Authority (519-47)Jesus on
the Sabbath Life-Giver and Judge

• Four witnesses to Jesus authority (v. 31-47).
• Note trial-like atmosphere concerned with rules
  of valid testimony.
• Rabbinic tradition considered self-testimony and
  testimony of one witness invalid (Dt. 1915).
• Jesus denies self-testimony, but claims four
  witnesses who testify on his behalf
• John the Baptist (v. 33-35)
• Jesus works (v. 36)
• The Father (v. 37-38)
• Scripture (v. 39-40)
• Accusation of the accusers (v. 41-47).

9
Pool by Sheep Gate at Bethesda (Bethzatha)