John 5 14

John 5:14 kjv

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.

John 5:14 nkjv

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

John 5:14 niv

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

John 5:14 esv

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."

John 5:14 nlt

But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you."

John 5 verses

John 5 14 Meaning

Jesus tells the man he has healed, "See that you do not sin any longer" (or "Stop sinning, lest something worse happen to you"). This is not a statement of universal divine wrath for any sin, but rather a specific warning in light of the profound mercy and miraculous healing he had just received. It underscores the seriousness of spiritual well-being alongside physical health. The healing was an act of God's grace, and continued sinning would be a rejection of that grace, potentially leading to a more severe spiritual consequence.

John 5 14 Context

This verse is found within the Gospel of John, chapter 5, which describes Jesus healing a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years at the Pool of Bethesda. After the miraculous healing, the Jewish religious leaders questioned Jesus for breaking the Sabbath by commanding the man to carry his mat. Jesus responded by asserting his authority from God, including his authority to heal on the Sabbath. Later, when Jesus encounters the same man in the temple, he warns him about continuing to sin. This dialogue is part of Jesus' larger defense of his divine authority and mission, highlighting the spiritual implications of his actions and the choices people make in response to him. The historical context is Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, facing increasing opposition from the Jewish authorities.

John 5 14 Word Analysis

• Ὃρα (hora): Literally "Behold," "See," or "Look." It functions as an imperative, drawing the healed man's attention to a crucial truth. It emphasizes the need for vigilant observation and awareness of his present spiritual state and future actions. It's a call to mindfulness and active engagement with his new life.
• μὴ (mē): A particle used to express prohibition, forming a negative command. "Do not."
• ἔτι (eti): "Yet" or "still." It implies a continuation or cessation. In this context, it's joined with "hamartano" to mean "sin anymore" or "continue to sin."
• ἁμάρτανε (hamartane): The present active imperative of the verb "hamartano," meaning "to sin," "to miss the mark," or "to err." The present imperative signifies a continuous action. It's not just a single sin, but a pattern or lifestyle of sin that is being warned against.
• ἵνα (hina): A particle introducing a purpose clause. "So that" or "in order that."
• μὴ (mē): Again, the negative particle, indicating a negative result or consequence. "Not."
• σοι (soi): The dative personal pronoun, "to you" or "for you."
• γένηται (genētai): The second person singular, aorist subjunctive of "ginomai," meaning "to become," "to happen," or "to occur." In this context, "something worse may happen to you." The subjunctive mood indicates a potential or possible outcome, not a certainty, but a serious possibility to be avoided.
• χοῖρον (choiron): A noun meaning "worse thing" or "something worse." It indicates a state or consequence more regrettable than the man's previous infirmity.

Group Analysis:

• "Ὃρα μὴ ἔτι ἁμάρτανε" (Hora mē eti hamartane): "See that you do not sin anymore." This phrase emphasizes a future orientation and the need for ongoing repentance and a transformed life. It's not a threat of punishment for past sins, which Christ's atoning sacrifice covers, but a warning against willfully embracing a life of sin after receiving such a profound gift of healing and freedom.
• "ἵνα μὴ σοί τι χοῖρον γένηται" (Hina mē soi ti choiron genētai): "Lest something worse happen to you." This clause highlights the gravity of the warning. "Something worse" implies a consequence of greater severity than his physical paralysis – likely spiritual judgment or separation from God, particularly for a persistent, unrepentant lifestyle. The conditional nature (hina) underscores that this negative outcome is avoidable through obedience and a changed life.

John 5 14 Bonus Section

The phrase "something worse" in the original Greek uses the word "choiron," which can also relate to pigs or a pigsty. While some interpretations lean into a connection with the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:13), where demons entered a herd of pigs, it is more generally understood in this context as referring to a state or outcome that is decidedly worse than the man's thirty-eight-year affliction. It signifies a severe spiritual consequence, possibly indicating a loss of a greater spiritual blessing or a more profound state of spiritual bondage or judgment than his previous physical infirmity. This emphasis on avoiding spiritual ruin alongside physical healing speaks to the holistic nature of Jesus' salvific work.

John 5 14 Commentary

Jesus' words are a gracious yet serious admonition. The man's healing was an overwhelming act of divine mercy. Jesus is guiding him toward a life that reflects this new reality. It’s about the quality and direction of his life post-miracle. This isn't about earning salvation through good works, but about responding to God's grace with a transformed heart that leads to transformed actions. The warning underscores that spiritual health and proximity to God are paramount. While all sin is serious, a deliberate and persistent rejection of God's grace after experiencing His power could have far graver spiritual implications than physical suffering. This verse calls for vigilance in our own lives: recognizing the spiritual consequences of continued sin, especially after experiencing God's forgiveness and blessing.