At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Because it is the sabbath, the authorities object, and Jesus speaks at length about his relationship with the Father.
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 .
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 .
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 .
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them , Verily , verily , I say unto you , The Son can do nothing of himself , but what he seeth the Father do : for what things soever he doeth , these also doeth the Son likewise .
20 For the Father loveth the Son , and sheweth him all things that himself doeth : and he will shew him greater works than these , that ye may marvel .
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead , and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will .
22 For the Father judgeth no man , but hath committed all judgment unto the Son :
23 That all men should honour the Son , even as they honour the Father . He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him .
24 Verily , verily , I say unto you , He that heareth my word , and believeth on him that sent me , hath everlasting life , and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life .
25 Verily , verily , I say unto you , The hour is coming , and now is , when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live .
26 For as the Father hath life in himself ; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself ;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also , because he is the Son of man .
28 Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming , in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice ,
29 And shall come forth ; they that have done good , unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil , unto the resurrection of damnation .
30 I can of mine own self do nothing : as I hear , I judge : and my judgment is just ; because I seek not mine own will , but the will of the Father which hath sent me .
31 If I bear witness of myself , my witness is not true .
32 There is another that beareth witness of me ; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true .
33 Ye sent unto John , and he bare witness unto the truth .
34 But I receive not testimony from man : but these things I say , that ye might be saved .
35 He was a burning and a shining light : and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light .
36 But I have greater witness than that of John : for the works which the Father hath given me to finish , the same works that I do , bear witness of me , that the Father hath sent me .
37 And the Father himself , which hath sent me , hath borne witness of me . Ye have neither heard his voice at any time , nor seen his shape .
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you : for whom he hath sent , him ye believe not .
39 Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me .
40 And ye will not come to me , that ye might have life .
41 I receive not honour from men .
42 But I know you , that ye have not the love of God in you .
43 I am come in my Father's name , and ye receive me not : if another shall come in his own name , him ye will receive .
44 How can ye believe , which receive honour one of another , and seek not the honour that cometh from God only ?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father : there is one that accuseth you , even Moses , in whom ye trust .
46 For had ye believed Moses , ye would have believed me : for he wrote of me .
47 But if ye believe not his writings , how shall ye believe my words ?