John 5 11

John 5:11 kjv

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

John 5:11 nkjv

He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.' "

John 5:11 niv

But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

John 5:11 esv

But he answered them, "The man who healed me, that man said to me, 'Take up your bed, and walk.'"

John 5:11 nlt

But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"

John 5 verses

John 5 11 Meaning

John 5:11 presents the healed man's direct and concise defense against the Jewish authorities' accusation of breaking the Sabbath. He attributes his action of carrying his mat to a specific command from the one who had just healed him. This statement serves as a foundational claim, redirecting the question of legality from his own will to the authoritative word of his miraculous healer. It underscores the immediate impact of Jesus' power, not only in physical restoration but also in providing direction, linking the miraculous cure directly to a challenged act of obedience.

John 5 11 Context

John chapter 5 focuses on Jesus' presence in Jerusalem for an unnamed feast. The central event is Jesus' encounter with an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus unilaterally heals him by command, telling him to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk" (Jn 5:8). The immediate issue that arises is that this healing occurred on the Sabbath. The Jewish authorities, likely Pharisees or leaders of the Temple, challenge the man for carrying his mat, considering it a violation of the Sabbath law. The man's reply in John 5:11 directly addresses this accusation by pointing to the authority of his healer. This verse thus sets the stage for Jesus' extensive discourse on His own authority and unity with the Father, triggered by the Jewish leaders' escalating hostility and their intention to persecute and eventually kill Jesus for not only "breaking the Sabbath but also for calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God" (Jn 5:18). Historically, the Sabbath was central to Jewish identity and law, but its application had become encumbered by numerous traditions and regulations. Jesus’ actions frequently challenged these interpretations, prioritizing God's will for healing and restoration over human traditions.

John 5 11 Word analysis

• He: Refers to the invalid who was healed by Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda, previously helpless for 38 years (Jn 5:5-9).
• answered: From Greek ἀπεκρίθη (apekristhē), indicating a direct reply to the accusations leveled against him by the Jewish leaders (Jn 5:10). This shows his immediate response and direct accountability.
• them: Refers to the Jewish authorities or leaders who questioned him for carrying his mat on the Sabbath (Jn 5:10). They represented the legalistic system of the day.
• The man: From Greek ὁ ἄνθρωπος (ho anthrōpos), identifying Jesus. The healed man simply calls him "the man," likely because he does not yet know Jesus' name (Jn 5:13), but implicitly acknowledges his authority through the miraculous act.
• who made me well: From Greek ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ (ho poiēsas me hygiē). "poiēsas" (from ποιέω, poieō) means "to do, to make, to produce," emphasizing an active and decisive action that brought about his health. "hygiē" (from ὑγιής, hygiēs) means "healthy, sound," pointing to the complete and instant restoration from his long-term infirmity. This highlights the miraculous nature and efficacy of Jesus' power.
• said to me: Implies a direct command or instruction. The healed man is not acting out of personal initiative or disregard for the law, but in obedience to an instruction from his healer.
• "Pick up: From Greek ἆρον (aron), an imperative from αἴρω (airō), meaning "to lift up, to take up, to remove." This is a direct, non-negotiable command from Jesus.
• your mat: From Greek τὸν κράββατόν σου (ton krabbaton sou). "Krabbaton" (κράββατος) is a common or coarse word for a pallet, cot, or sleeping mat, used by the common people. It was the place of his long-standing infirmity. The command to pick it up symbolized his new freedom and was also the exact act deemed unlawful on the Sabbath.
• and walk.": From Greek καὶ περιπάτει (kai peripatei), an imperative from περιπατέω (peripateō), meaning "to walk about, to live, to conduct oneself." This is the ultimate proof of his healing, symbolizing a new life and freedom of movement, in stark contrast to his previous 38 years of helplessness.

Words-group analysis:

• "He answered them, 'The man... said to me...": This phrase structure directly places the healed man under an external authority. His actions are not his own, but a response to a command, shifting responsibility and highlighting the nature of Jesus’ intervention as an authoritative decree, not merely a helpful suggestion. This sets up the critical conflict about Jesus' authority.
• "The man who made me well": This emphasizes that the source of the command is inextricably linked to the source of the miraculous healing. The divine power that healed him also commissioned him to act. This connects divine power with divine instruction, forming a clear link between who Jesus is and what He commands.
• "'Pick up your mat and walk.'": This full command encapsulates Jesus' authority. Picking up the mat was the proof of his healing and the symbolic act of leaving his old life of infirmity behind, yet it was also the point of controversy. Walking was the direct demonstration of the miraculous power. The simplicity and directness of the command underscore its divine origin and immediate power. It was a complete instruction for his new state of being.

John 5 11 Bonus section

The phrase "the man who made me well" subtly prepares the audience for Jesus' subsequent declaration of His identity and authority. The focus here is on the 'doing' or 'making' ("ποιήσας") by Jesus, establishing Him as an active, potent force, rather than just a prophet. This initial acknowledgement of Jesus' power (even if the man doesn't know His name) becomes crucial later when Jesus elaborates on His shared authority and works with the Father in John 5:19-47. The healed man’s carrying of the mat serves as a visible, living testimony and a physical prop in the ongoing theological debate. The simplicity of the man's explanation in verse 11 highlights the sharp contrast between Jesus' direct, life-giving command and the convoluted, tradition-bound questions of the authorities. This encounter directly confronts the Pharisaic obsession with minor points of law, illustrating that God's desire for healing and freedom takes precedence over human interpretations of what constitutes "work" on the Sabbath.

John 5 11 Commentary

John 5:11 provides the immediate response of the healed paralytic, acting as a pivotal point in the unfolding narrative of Jesus’ conflict with the Jewish leaders. The man's justification for carrying his mat on the Sabbath is simple: he was commanded to do so by the one who healed him. This defense inherently elevates Jesus' authority above the religious traditions of the day concerning Sabbath keeping. The Jewish authorities, focusing on a minor ceremonial infringement, overlook the immense miracle performed by Jesus, revealing their misplaced priorities on legalism rather than compassion or divine activity. The verse implicitly argues that the power that granted him physical life and health also had the authority to give him instructions that superseded their traditional interpretation of the law. This interaction exposes the blind spots of legalism, which prioritizes strict adherence to human interpretations over recognizing the work of God himself. The command to pick up the mat serves multiple purposes: it immediately validates the healing, tests the man’s obedience, and intentionally challenges the Jewish understanding of Sabbath law, paving the way for Jesus’ deeper theological exposition on His relationship with the Father and His divine authority.