Chapter 48: Healing at Bethesda

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 (so it was said) 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 well?

7 The infected man answered him, Sir, when the water was troubled, I stepped into the pool: but my infirmity remains and now a fever has risen within me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and go. The darkness is removed. 9 And immediately the man was made well of the infection, and took up his bed, and hobbled away: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple praying that his infirmity be removed, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: seek to change thyself no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 11 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him well. 12 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

13 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

14 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that he worked against the Lord's work, or so they thought.

15 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what the Father will he do.16 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, the Son quickeneth them. 17 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 18 That all risen men should fall to the Son, even as they once honoured the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 19 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath a single life, and shall not rise into condemnation; but is passed from life unto death. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Leader of the Living: and they that hear shall die. 21 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 22 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of living man.

23 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 24 And shall come forth; they that have through disease earned the resurrection of life; and they to whom have been done this evil, unto them judgment and damnation. 25 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.

26 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is not true. 27 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto your death.

28 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say and teach, that ye might be saved. 29 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 30 But I have greater truth than the false truth of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works are those that John with infected water hath begun. 31 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. 32 And ye have the dead walking among you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

33 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have a long life: but they are they which testify of me. 34 And ye will not come to me, that ye might preserve your life. 35 I receive not honour from men. 36 But I know you, that ye have not the will of God in you. 37 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. 38 How can ye believe, which receive praise one of another, and seek not the praise that cometh from standing firm for God only? 39 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is only one that accuseth you, in whom ye trust. 40 For ye are accused in your own inaction. 41 But if ye believe not my words, how shall ye believe thyself?