John 5:1

CHAP. V.

IN this Chapter; First, we have another miracle of Christs working in curing an infirme man in Jerusalem, at the feast, and on the Sabbath-day. to v. 10. Next, we have the Jewes quarrelling with the healed man as a Sabbath-breaker, and their plotting of Christs death, when they know him to be the Authour of that work, to v. 17. Thirdly, Christs Apology for what he had done, v. 17. and for asserting his equality with the Father, in maintaining his deed: which he further proves by many reasons, to v. 31. And by many witnesses, which were so clear and convincing as gave him just cause to reprove them for their wilful unbelief, from ver. 31. to the end.

Several circumstances are premitted unto the History of this miracle, to v. 8. whereof the first is, a general description of the time and place of it; it was done at Jerusalem, at a feast to which Christ went up. As this History doth not follow immediately upon the former, (though in general, it be said it was after this,) but several things intervened; which John omitteth, as being employed, not so much to confirme the same doctrine by repeating it, as to record what the rest had omitted: so this is the cause why we cannot certainly determine what this feast was, at which Christ went up, nor is it much material for our use. Only we may gather from this, 1. The solemn feasts observed by the Jewes at Gods appointment, were peculiar and proper to themselves, and not obliging nor belonging to the Christian Church; for, therefore is this called, a feast of the Jewes. 2. Christ was pleased to subject himself unto the Law, not only moral, to free his people from the condemnation thereof; but to the ceremonial Law also, that he might free his Church from the yoke thereof, therefore, Jesus went up to Jerusalem, in obedience to the Law, requiring this appearance, Exod. 34.23. 3. Opportunities of advancing the Kingdome of Christ, and of doing good in our station, ought not to be omitted, but taken hold of, though it seem to tend to our own trouble or hazard that we do so; therefore, also Christ went up to Jerusalem at the feast, though he met with trouble there, because he had occasion of setting out his glory by healing the man, and by preaching in that solemn Assembly.