BHT with Abridged Translator’s NotesJohn 5 =
5
“Pick Up Your Mat and Walk”
1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals.+ 2 Now there is in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, a pool, called Bethzatha+ in Aramaic,+ which has five roofed walkways adorned with pillars.+ 3 In these walkways were lying a large number of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed.++
5 Now a certain man was there who had been in his disabled condition for a good thirty-eight years. 6 As for this man, Jesus, upon seeing him lying there, and knowing that he had been disabled for such a long time, asked him, “Do ˢyou want to get well?”
7 “Sir,” the ailing man replied, “I have no one to help me get into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get there, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
8 “Get up,” said Jesus. “Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 And immediately the man became well and picked up his mat and began to walk.
Now the day on which this healing took place was a Sabbath.+10 Therefore, the Jewish authorities kept telling the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is forbidden for you to carry your mat.”
11 “The man who made me well,” the healed man+ answered, “ he said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
12 “Who is the man who told you to do this?”+ they asked him.
13 But the man who had been healed didn’t know who it was, because the place was very crowded,+ and Jesus had slipped away unnoticed.
14 Afterwards, Jesus happened upon the man+ in the temple courts and said to him, “See, you are well now. Stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went off and told the Jewish authorities+ that Jesus was the one who had made him well.
“Whatever the Father Himself Does, These Things the Son Does, Too”
16 And this was the reason why the Jewish authorities+ began to persecute Jesus, because these things he was doing on the Sabbath.
17 “My Father,” Jesus said to them in response, “continues his work right up to this very moment, and so I, too, myself continue to work.”+ 18 This is the reason why the Jewish authorities, then, became even more determined to have him killed: Not only was he relaxing+ the Sabbath, but he was also saying that God was what? His own Father. By doing so,+ he was making himself equal with God!
19 Jesus then continued with these weighty words: “Amen, amen, I solemnly tell ᵖyou this: The Son can of himself do nothing; he can do only what he sees the Father himself doing. Indeed, whatever the Father+ himself does, these things the Son does, too. 20 The Father dearly loves the Son and shows him everything, you see, that he himself is doing, and will show him even greater things to do than these,+ so great that ᵖyou will be in awe.+ 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son, too, gives life to whomever it is he decides.+ 22 The Father, in fact,+ doesn’t himself preside in judgment over anyone; that task, rather, he has assigned fully to the Son,+ 23 so that all will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.+ If someone refuses to give due honor to the Son,+ he is refusing to give due honor to the Father, who sent him.+
24 “Amen, amen, I solemnly tell ᵖyou this: If someone heeds+ my words+ and believes+ the one who sent me,+ he will share+ in the life of the age to come, and from condemnation will be spared;+ yes, he has crossed over from death to life. 25 Amen, amen, I solemnly tell ᵖyou this: A time+ is coming, and is here even now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live again. 26 Just as the Father is himself the source of life, you see, so he has made his Son to be the source of life.+ 27 And he has granted him authority to execute judgment, because he is this: The Son of Man.+ 28 Don’t be astonished at this! For a time+ is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out—those whose deeds were upright at+ the resurrection of life, and those whose deeds were evil at+ the resurrection of condemnation.+ 30 I can of myself do nothing; I judge precisely as I am told.+ And my judgment is just,+ because my heart is set not on doing my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.+
31 “If I bear witness on my own behalf, my testimony isn’t reliable.+ 32 It is someone else+ who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony about me is completely reliable. 33 ᵖYou have sent messengers to John, and he has borne solemn witness to the truth.+ 34 Although I have no need of human testimony,+ these things I am saying so that ᵖyou may be saved. 35 That man was a burning and shining lamp, and ᵖyou were ready for a time to sing and dance for joy+ in the light of his life and message.+
36 “I also have something bearing witness on my behalf whose testimony is even weightier than that of John:+ The powerful deeds that the Father has appointed me to complete. These miracles that I am doing, you see, themselves give testimony on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me.+ 37 And the Father who sent me has himself given testimony on my behalf. ᵖYou have not heard his voice, ever, nor have ᵖyou seen his appearance;+ 38 and ᵖyou do not have his word dwelling within ᵖyou, for the one whom he+ sent ᵖyou refuse to believe. 39 ᵖYou carefully study the Scriptures, because ᵖyou believe that in them you possess the key to life in the coming age,+ and they do in fact themselves bear witness on my behalf. 40 And yet ᵖyou refuse to come to me so that you may actually receive+ life! 41 This means nothing to me: Honor+ from mere men. 42 But I know what kind of people ᵖyou are,+ that ᵖyou have in your hearts+ no love for God. 43 I have come in the name and authority+ of my Father, and yet ᵖyou refuse to accept me. If it is some other fellow,+ however, who comes in his own name and authority, that person ᵖyou will accept!+ 44 How in the world can ᵖyou possibly believe, when the honor+ you give one another means so much to you,+ and ᵖyou care nothing about obtaining this: The honor+ that comes from the only God? 45 Don’t think that it is I who will bring charges against ᵖyou in the presence of the Father. The one who will bring charges against ᵖyou is Moses, in whom ᵖyou have placed your hopes. 46 If ᵖyou believed Moses, you see, you would believe me, because it was me about whom he wrote. 47 If ᵖyou refuse to believe the writings, however, of Moses,+ how can ᵖyou possibly believe my words?”
+1:4Lit in him was life. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 5:26). Cf NLT, TEV. “Life” here doesn’t mean “alive,” but possessing the power to give life as the source of life. Trying to maintain some measure of consistency in translation here with Jn 5:26, so that the connection isn’t lost to English readers.+1:4Cf Ps 36:9.+1:5Cf Is 42:5-9; 49:1-6.+1:5Or did not overcome.+1:5Or comprehend. Cf 1 Co 2:8.+1:7Lit through him, or through it. ME. Cf NLT.+1:8Lit that man. Cf NET, NLT, TEV.+1:9Lit He was.+1:9Or The true light, which gives light to every human being, was coming into the world, or He was the true light that gives light to every human being coming into the world. Following the lead of the ISV in translation here. Cf Jn 6:14, 9:39, 11:27, 16:28.+1:11Or to his very own creation. Lit to his own things. ME (see NAC [Jn], 114; UBSHS [Jn], 18). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, TEV.+1:13Lit who. Cf NET, NIV.+1:13For a discussion of the range of meaning possible with γεννάω ( gennaō), see notes at 1 Pt 1:3. Conception is primarily in view here, with the rest of the birth process also implied on some level. Cf also the translation and notes at Ga 4:21-30.+1:13Lit not of bloods. ME(I/F/H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:13).+1:13Lit nor from the will/desire of the flesh. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 19). Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf NET.+1:13Or a husband’s decision.+1:14Lit The Word became flesh. ME (see translation and notes at Rm 8:3 and Php 2:6-8; FBT Chart, C, F, G, I, M, N). Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G, M (see FBT Chart).+1:14Cf, eg, Ex 40:34; Lv 16:2; Nu 9:15.+1:14Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. For a brief discussion of the meaning of μονογενής ( monogenēs), see NET Bibles Notes, Jn 1:16. Cf ISV, NET. In Heb 11:17, the term is used of Isaac, who wasn’t Abraham’s only son, but his “unique” son in the sense that the covenant was to be confirmed with him and the promises to be fulfilled through his line (cf Gn 17:19, 21:12).+1:14Cf Jn 17:5.+1:14Lit full of grace and truth. ME (OTB) (see LALS, sv ἀλήθεια; Ibid, sv χάρις; NAC [Jn], 121; UBSHS [Jn], 22). Cf the LXX and the MT, eg, at Ge 24:27, 47:29; 2 Sa 2:6, 15:20; 2 Ch 32:1; Ne 9:33; Ps 26:3, 30:9, 35:6, 40:10, 54:5, 69:13, 88:11, 89:5, 92:2, 119:138.+1:15Lit and cried out, saying.+1:16Lit from his fullness. ME (see translation and notes at Eph 3:19; Col 2:9; BDAG, 829, sv 3.b.; NAC [Jn], 123; Robertson, Word Pictures, Jn 1:16; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:57). The UBSHS claims that here πλήρωμα ( plērōma) “is used in a nontechnical sense and refers back to the phrase grace and truth in verse 14” ( UBSHS [Jn], 25, italics original). I disagree. The reference in v 15 to the Son’s pre-existence in the preceding verse makes the “fullness of divine nature” interpretation just as plausible as a limited reference to “grace and truth” in v 14. True, this is only place where the term is used in John’s gospel. Still, this idea was clearly a part of the authoritative body of apostolic teaching that was passed on from church to church, and wasn’t just a part of Paul’s theology (cf 1 Co 11:2, 15:1-3; Ga 1:18, 2:6; Php 2:6-11; 2 Th 2:15; 1 Ti 3:16). “Steadfast love/grace” and “truth/faithfulness” are, of course, an important part of God’s nature, but “fullness” by definition isn’t limited to those aspects.+1:16Or blessing. Lit grace. ME (see L-N, 57.103, 88.66; translation and note at “faithfulness” in v 14 above). Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:17Lit grace and truth. ME (see translation and note at v 14).+1:17Lit have become, or have been done. Cf UBSHS (Jn), 26. “Shown” is the verb typically used in English translations with these concepts in the OT (see, eg, most English translations at Ex 20:6 and Dt 5:10).+1:18Or The matchless/unique/only God. Following the NET in translation here. For a brief discussion of some of the textual and translational questions involved here, see NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:18.+1:18Lit who is at the bosom of the Father. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 557, sv κόλπος 1; L-N, 34.18; NAC [Jn], 124). Cf NET.+1:19Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see BDAG, 478, sv Ἰουδαῖος, 2.e.β.; NAC [Jn], 126; NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:19; UBSHS [Jn], 29; translation and notes at Ac 9:22). Cf NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+1:19Lit to ask, “Who are you?” Cf NIV.+1:20Lit and he openly acknowledged, and did not deny but openly acknowledged. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 30). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+1:21Lit “What then?” ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:21Cf Ml 4:5.+1:21Lit he.+1:21Cf Dt 18:15-18.+1:23Lit he.+1:23Is 40:3+1:24Lit were part of the Pharisees, or were from the Pharisees. ME(H)/IT (see ANLEX, 397, sv Φαρισαῖος; L-N, 11.49; NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:24).+1:26Or in. So throughout Jn 1.+1:29Lit he.+1:29Or who is going to take away. Scholars are divided as to whether this statement is reflective of John the Baptist’s theology, or that of John himself. If the former is the situation, the cleansing is probably meant to be understood apocalyptically (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Jn], 36). John the Baptist’s messages in the other gospels are clearly apocalyptic in orientation (see Mt 3; Lk 3), and, since the Apostle John himself ascribes these words to John the Baptist, there is no reason to doubt that this is reflective of the John the Baptist’s own position. This interpretation is reflected in the translation.+1:29Cf Mt 3:9; Lk 3:8-9; Re 17:14.+1:31Cf CJB, TEV.+1:32Or from the sky.+1:37Lit heard him speaking. ME. Cf ESV, HCSB, ISV, NET, NIV, NRSV, RSV, TEV.+1:38Cf NCV, TEV.+1:39Lit The hour was about the tenth. ME(H). Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NLT.+1:40Lit heard from John. ME. Cf NET, NIV, NLT.+1:40Lit and followed him.+1:42Lit him.+1:42Κηφᾶς ( kēphas) (“Cephas” in many translations) is the Aramaic surname for Simon (see L-N, 93.211). Cf CJB.+1:42Lit which is translated Peter. ME/IT (see ESL, #4074; L-N, 93.296). Cf CJB, TEV.+1:43Lit he.+1:43IT (see L-N, 93.444).+1:43Lit follow me. ME(H) (see translation and notes at Mt 4:19).+1:45Cf Gn 3:15, 9:27, 12:1-3, 49:8-12; Ex 12:1-28; Lv 23:4-44; Nu 24:15-19; Dt 15:15-18, 16:1-8; Jn 19:36; 1 Co 5:7.+1:45Cf Is 4:2, 7:14, 9:1-7, 11:1-6, 24:21-25, 28:16, 30:19-26, 42:1-7, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12, 55:3-5, 61:1-3, 63:1-6; Jr 23:5-6, 30:9, 30:21, 33:14-16; Ezk 17:22-24, 21:25-27, 34:23-31, 37:15-28; Dn 7:13-14, 9:24-27; Ho 3:4-5; Jl 2:23; Am 9:11-15; Mic 2:12-13, 5:1-4; Hg 2:6-9, 2:21-23; Ac 3:8-10, 6:9-15, 9:9-10, 10:4, 11:4-14, 12:10, 13:7; Ml 3:1, 4:2.+1:47Lit in whom. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, and TEV at Jn 2:25; NIV and TEV at Jn 5:42.+1:47An allusion to Ps 32:2.+1:48Lit to him.+1:49Cf, eg, 2 Sa 7; 1 Ch 17; Ps 2, 89, 132.+1:51Or the sky.+1:51An allusion to Gn 28:12.+1:51Cf Gn 28:12; Dn 7:13-14.+2:1Or two days later.+2:4Lit What to me and to you? ME(I/F) (see translation and notes at Mt 8:29; NET Bible Notes, Jn 2:4; UBSHS [Jn], 57). Cf HCSB, LEB, NIV.+2:4Lit hour.+2:6Lit according to the ritual purification/cleansing of the Jews. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT.+2:6Lit each holding two or three measures. ME(H) (see L-N, 81.22). Cf most English translations.+2:7Lit told them.+2:8Or to the head servant/steward.+2:9Lit the man in charge of the banquet.+2:10Lit every man. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 61).+2:10Lit they. Cf NET, NIV.+2:11Or disclosed. Cf HCSB.+2:13Cf Ex 12:14; Dt 16:16.+2:14Lit found in the temple courts. ME (see UBSHS [Lk], 298). Cf NLT.+2:14Or pigeons.+2:16Or the pigeons. Cf Lv 5:7-11. Jesus’ anger toward this particular group may be related to them taking advantage of the poor.+2:17Ps 69:9+2:18Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see note at Jn 1:19).+2:18Lit What sign can you show us that/since these things you do? ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 68). Cf JB.+2:21Lit That one. Cf NCV, NET, NLT.+2:21Lit That one was speaking about the sanctuary of his body.+2:22Cf Lv 23:9-14; 1 Co 15:4.+2:22Lit and in the word that Jesus had said. ME. Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+2:23Lit that one.+2:24Lit because he was knowing all [of them]. ME (see Vincent, Word Studies, 2:88; UBSHS [Jn], 73; translation and notes at Jn 1:48). Note that, as in the case of the imperfect indicative in v 25, imperfective aspect is also encoded in the infinitive here. Vincent’s interpretation in v 25 would also have relevance here, therefore, since v 25 is giving strength and support to these statements (note the presence of γὰρ [ gar] in the final clause there). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT at v 25.+2:25Lit and he had no need that anyone should bear witness about the man. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 73). Cf ISV, CJB, NCV, NLT.+2:25Lit For he himself knew what was in the man. ME (see Vincent, Word Studies, 2:88; UBSHS [Jn], 73). Cf CJB, NAB, NCV, NEB, NLT.+3:1Lit a ruler of the Jews. ME(H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:1). Cf NET, NIV.+3:2Lit to him.+3:3Drawing from L-N in translation here (see L-N, 41.53). In the NT, γεννάω ( gennaō) can variously refer to conception (see, eg, Mt 1:20; Jn 8:41; Ga 4:23), the time in the womb (see, eg, Lk 23:29), actual birth (see, eg, Mt 2:4; Lk 1:57), or the entire process viewed as whole (see, eg, Lk 1:13), depending on the context. Also, when the father’s role is in view, the focus is on the act of procreation (see, eg, BSL, Jn 3:5, sv—“to be or become conceived due to male agency”), ie, “to beget” (see, eg, the ASV, KJV, NKJV, and YLT at Mt 1:1-16). In John 3, the entire process is in view. “Conception” happens when one receives the deposit/down payment/firstfruits of the Spirit (cf Rm 8:23; 2 Co 1:22; Eph 1:14); “gestation” (ie, sanctification) happens between that time and the Second Coming; and “birth” happens at the Second Coming when Jesus’ people are raised from the dead (cf Rm 8:18-23). Unfortunately, there is no precise English equivalent that adequately captures the richness of the concept here.+3:3The adverb used here (ἄνωθεν [ anōthen]) can mean either “from above” or “again” (see BDAG, 92, sv 1, 4; NET Bible Note, Jn 3:3). Nicodemus interprets the statement as meaning “again,” while Jesus Himself probably has both meanings in view here (cf v 5). There are no ideal translation solutions here, since Nicodemus’ response is based on his failure to understand how Jesus is using the word (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Jn], 78). Still, to keep the idea from becoming completely lost in translation, it has been included in v 7 as an appositional phrase.+3:3In this context, εἶδον ( eidon) means to “experience” (see BDAG, 279, sv 4)—in the sense of witnessing and taking part in future events (cf, eg, Lk 17:22, 20:35, 22:16-18; 1 Co 6:10, 15:50; Rm 8:22-25; Ga 5:21; Php 3:10-11; 2 Ti 4:18; Re 2:26-29; cf especially “enter” in v 5 below), not in the sense of spiritually “seeing” the Messianic Kingdom abstractly redefined (an example of Christo-Platonism; for many resources on Christo-Platonism, see www.danieltrainingnetwork.org). Cf the rendering here with HCSB and NIV renderings of τυγχάνω ( tunchanō) at Lk 20:35 (where it means to “experience” an event; see BDAG, 1019, sv τυγχάνω 1). Cf also UBSHS (Jn), 77.+3:4Lit How can a man be given birth to, being old? ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+3:5Or by/from water and spirit. Cf Is 44:1-5; Ezk 36:24-27, 37:9-10; Jn 1:13; 2 Co 5:17; Ga 4.+3:6Lit by the flesh. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf translation and notes at Jn 1:13.+3:6Lit is flesh. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf 1 Co 15:50.+3:6Cf 1 Co 15:35-49. As passages like Lk 24:36-43 (“a ghost [lit πνεῦμα ( pneuma)—“spirit”] does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” [v 39, NIV]) make clear, “spirit” here doesn’t mean complete immateriality (Christo-Platonism) or total discontinuity with the non-resurrected body. There is continuity with the former body, and yet the new body has properties in its glorified state that allow the person to function in some ways like the angels. Cf Is 44:1-5; Mt 22:29-32; Lk 20:34-37, 24:36-43; Jn 3:8, 20:26-27; Ac 23:6; Rm 8:11; Heb 1:7.+3:7See note at “again” in v 3 above.+3:8The Greek word used here (πνεῦμα [ pneuma]) can mean wind, breath, spirit, or Spirit.+3:8Lit where it decides/wants. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 81). Cf Ezk 37:9.+3:8Lit the sound of it. ME. Cf TEV.+3:8In Jesus’ resurrected body, which was spirit-like (see Lk 24:37) or angel-like (see Lk 20:36), though not immaterial and completely discontinuous from his earlier body (see Lk 24:39 and Jn 20:27), Jesus was able to suddenly appear and disappear in a way similar to the angels (cf Mt 28:9-10; Mk 16:12; Lk 24:30, 36-43; Jn 20:19-29; Ac 9:3-5), whom God makes “winds” (Heb 1:7).+3:9Lit How can these things happen? ME. Cf NLT.+3:11Or know.+3:12Lit If I have said to you the things pertaining to the earth and you don’t believe. ME (see ANLEX, 163, sv ἐπίγειος 2; UBSHS [Jn], 83).+3:12Lit How will you believe if I say to you the heavenly things/matters/occurrences? ME (see ANLEX, 163, sv ἐπίγειος 1, 2; UBSHS [Jn], 83). Cf 2 Co 12:3-4.+3:13Lit And no one has ascended into heaven. ME(OTB) (see FSB, Jn 3:13; NAC [Pr], 236; TEV at Pr 30:4). Cf Dt 30:11-14; Pr 30:4 (see esp TEV); Jn 1:18.+3:13Cf Dt 30:11-14; Pr 30:4; Dn 7:13-14; Jn 1:18.+3:14An allusion to Nu 21:8-9.+3:15Although the focus of “eternal life”in the NT is eschatological (see Mt 19:29, 25:46; Mk 10:17, 30; Lk 10:25, 18:18-30; Jn 3:15-16, 6:40, 6:54, 12:25; 1 Co 9:25; Jm 1:12; 1 Jn 2:25; Re 2:10), in some places in John’s writings the new life experienced through the “deposit of the Spirit” (to use Paul’s language; see 2 Co 1:22; Eph 1:14) is also included within its purview (see, eg, Jn 4:14, 6:53, 17:2-3). If God himself is “eternal life” (1 Jn 5:20; cf Jn 1:1-4, 4:14, 5:26), and God gives himself as a gift (through the Spirit) to those who believe, then the gift he gives to those who believe is “eternal life”—not in some generic “quality of life” sense (though “eternal life” does, of course, possess qualities and defining characteristics), but in the sense that God’s own life is at work in them through the eternal Spirit (cf Heb 9:14) until they experience “eternal life” through bodily resurrection (see Jn 4:14, 6:40, 6:44, 6:54; cf Rm 8:18-25; Heb 6:5). In light of this, ἔχω ( exō) in this context means “experience” (see UBSHS [Jn], 88; cf BDAG, 421, sv ἔχω 7; L-N, 90.65), and involves fellowship with the Father and the Son through the Spirit (cf, eg, Jn 6:55-56, 17:3; 1 Jn 1:2-3). Cf Php 3:10-11.+3:15This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+3:16Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. See translation and notes at Jn 1:14.+3:16Cf NCV. In this context, ἀπόλλυμι ( apollumi) is referring to eternal ruin/punishment in Gehenna (note the contrast with “eternal life”). Cf Mt 10:20; 2 Th 1:9; 2 Th 2:10; Re 13:11-17, 14:9-11. Cf also UBSHS (Jn), 89. It does not refer to the annihilation of the wicked.+3:16This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+3:16Cf Re 2:10-11.+3:18Lit in him. Cf NCV, TEV.+3:18Lit already condemned. John is speaking proleptically here (cf translation and notes at Jn 12:31, 16:11). I have signaled this in translation here with “doom,” so that any potential connection with Jn 16:11 isn’t lost for English readers (see translation and notes there). Although proleptic/prophetic perfects typically occur in the apodosis of an implicit or explicit conditional clause (Wallace, Grammar, 581), this is not always the case (see Robertson, Grammar, 898).+3:18Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. See translation and notes at Jn 1:14.+3:20Cf TEV.+3:21Lit who do the truth, or who deal truly. ME(OTB) (see examples cited with Jn 3:21 in BDAG, 42, sv ἀλήθεια 2.b.; L-N, 41.7; UBSHS [Jn], 93). Cf Jn 1:47; 1 Jn 3:5-9. Cf also HCSB, NCV, NIV.+3:21Lit so that it may be made openly/publicly evident/seen/known. ME. Cf ISV.+3:21An emphasis on union with God is present not only in Paul’s writings, but also in John’s (see, eg, Jn 14-17). Cf Mt 5:16; Ga 2:19-20.+3:25Lit therefore.+3:26Cf NEB in UBSHS (Jn), 98.+3:28Lit You yourselves can bear witness that I said. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 98; translation and notes at 2 Th 1:10). Cf NCV.+3:31Lit speaks from the earth. ME. Cf 1 Jn 4:6 (see translation and note there).+3:31Or is above all things.+3:33Lit he.+3:33Cf 1 Jn 1:10.+3:34Lit he.+3:34Lit for he does not give [him] the Spirit by measure. ME (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:34; UBSHS [Jn], 103). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:35Lit has given in his hand. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 76.3; NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:35). Cf NCV, NET, TEV.+3:36This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:1Lit that Jesus.+4:5Cf Gn 33:19, 48:22; Jsh 24:32.+4:6Lit The hour was about the sixth. ME(H). Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+4:9Lit How can you, being a Jew, ask to drink from me, being a Samaritan woman? ME. Cf NIV, TEV.+4:9Or refuse to have dealings with Samaritans. ME(H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 4:9; UBSHS [Jn], 113). Cf NET, TEV.+4:11Lit she.+4:11Cf NIV.+4:12Or forefather. Lit father.+4:14Or spring.+4:14This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:16Lit he.+4:18Lit he whom you have. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+4:18Lit This you have said truthfully. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 119). Cf ESV, HCSB, ISV, NIV, NRSV.+4:20Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+4:20“Jews” is drawn from the plural “you” here, and the context. Cf NLT, TEV.+4:21Lit an hour.+4:22Lit You worship what you do not know. ME (see Robertson, Word Pictures, 121; UBSHS [Jn], 121; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:119; cf the use of the neuter in reference to God here with Ac 17:23). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:22“Jews” is drawn from the plural “you” here, and the context.+4:22Lit We worship what we know. ME (see note at “worship” above). Cf Dt 4:1-14; Ps 147:19-20; Rm 3:1-2, 9:3-5.+4:23Lit an hour.+4:23Or in spirit. Cf TEV. Cf also Jn 3:5, 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; Php 3:3.+4:24Lit must worship.+4:24Or in spirit.+4:25Cf Gn 3:15, 49:10; Nu 24:17; Dt 18:15.+4:26Or I myself am he. Cf NLT. I interpret this as a reference to the divine name of Ex 3:14 (see translation and notes at Mt 14:27; cf UBSHS [Jn], 124). This is reflected in the translation. Cf also Ex 23:21; Jn 1:1-3, 17:6. The Samaritans recognized the authority of the Pentateuch, which may be one of the reasons Jesus uses this reference here.+4:30Lit they.+4:30Lit to/toward him.+4:31Lit begging him.+4:32Cf NLT.+4:32Lit he.+4:35Lit You say, do you not? ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 128). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:36This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:38Lit and you have entered into their labor. ME (see BDAG, 294, εἰσέρχομαι 2; UBSHS [Jn], 130).+4:39Lit because of the word of the woman testifying. ME. Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NIV, TEV.+4:41Lit because of his word/message/speech. ME. Cf CJB, HCSB, NCV.+4:43Lit he.+4:46Lit he.+4:52Lit at the seventh hour. ME(H). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+4:53Lit at that same hour. ME. Cf NCV, NIV.+4:53Lit he.+5:1Lit there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+5:2Other manuscripts read Bethesda. For a brief discussion of the manuscript variants here, see NET Bible Notes, Jn 5:2.+5:2Or in Hebrew.+5:2Lit has five porticos. ME(H) (see translation and notes at Ac 3:11; NET Bible Notes, Jn 5:2).+5:3Lit dried up. ME (I/F) (see L-N, 23.173).+5:3Some manuscripts add: “waiting for the moving of the water; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had” (ESV). For a brief discussion of textual variants here, see NET Bible Notes, Jn 5:3.+5:9Lit It was a Sabbath on that day. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+5:11Lit he.+5:12Lit Who is the man who told you, “take up your mat and walk”? Cf NIV, NLT, TEV.+5:13Lit a crowd being in the place. ME. Cf NEB.+5:14Lit him.+5:15Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see note at Jn 1:19). Cf NET, NLT, TEV.+5:16Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see note at Jn 1:19). Cf NET, NLT.+5:17Cf Jn 1:1-3.+5:18Or breaking. Cf ESV and RSV at Mt 5:19. Relax is the more likely meaning here (see notes at Mt 11:28, 16:19, 23:4). Cf also Mt 12:1-13; Mk 2:23-3:6; Lk 6:1-11.+5:18Lit thereby making, or thus making.+5:19Lit that one.+5:20Cf TEV.+5:20Cf Is 29:13-14.+5:21Or wills, or wishes, or wants. Cf 2 Pt 1:10.+5:22Cf HCSB, NCV.+5:22Lit but all judgment has given to the Son. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 155). Cf NAB, Phps.+5:23Cf Ps 72; Is 11:1-5, 42:1-4; Ac 17:31.+5:23Cf JB, NEB, NAB.+5:23Cf Mt 10:40, 13:57; Mk 9:37; Lk 9:48; Jn 4:44,12:44-45.+5:24Lit hears. A call to both attentiveness and an obedient response is implied here (see L-N, 36.14). Cf Dt 18:15-22.+5:24Or word, or message, or teaching. If Dt 18:15-22 is serving as the conceptual backdrop to this statement (which seems probable to me, since the presentation of Jesus as the Prophet who is greater than Moses is such a central feature of John’s gospel), then a rendering like that found in the TEV is best here.+5:24Here the focus seems to be on believing the truth of what the Father said about the Messiah in the OT Scriptures (cf, eg, Jn 2:22, 5:46, 7:38). Hence the rendering here.+5:24Cf Dt 18:15-22; Ac 3:22-23.+5:24See notes at Jn 3:15, 18, 36.+5:24Lit and into condemnation isn’t going to come. Cf Jn 3:18.+5:25Lit an hour.+5:26Lit For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 159). Cf JB, NEB, NLT, TEV. V 21 confirms that the interpretation of “life in himself” represented in the NLT and TEV is accurate. Cf Jn 1:4.+5:27Cf Dn 7.+5:28Lit an hour.+5:29Or to, or unto. Cf Re 20:4-6, 11-15.+5:29Or to, or unto. Cf Re 20:4-6, 11-15.+5:29Cf Jb 34:11; Ps 28:4, 62:12; Pr 24:12; Jr 17:10, 32:19; Mt 16:27; Lk 14:14; Ac 24:15; Rm 2:6, 14:12; 2 Co 5:10; 1 Pt 1:17; Re 2:23, 20:4-6, 20:11-15, 22:12.+5:30Lit as I hear. ME. Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+5:30Cf Is 2:1-4, 11:1-5, 42:1-4.+5:30Cf Ps 40:7-8.+5:31Cf Dt 19:15.+5:32Or It is another.+5:33Cf Jn 1:19-27.+5:34Lit I don’t receive/accept the testimony from man. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 164). Cf JB, NEB, NLT.+5:35Lit exult. ME (see LALS, sv ἀγαλλιάω; L-N, 25.133).+5:35Lit in the light of him. ME/IT ( UBSHS [Jn], 165). Cf NLT. While I agree with the interpretation of the UBSHS here (ie, that John’s message is in view here), I would argue that John’s life is also in view. Cf, eg, Mt 11:11; Lk 1:15-16.+5:36Lit I have the testimony/witness greater than that of John. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 165). Cf NEB, NIV, TEV. Translation is a bit tricky here, since one “witness” is a person, and the other a set of acts (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Jn], 165).+5:36Cf Ex 3-4.+5:37Cf Dt 4:12-13; Ex 33:20.+5:38Lit he whom that one.+5:39This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+5:40Or have, or experience, or share in. See note at Jn 3:15. Cf NLT.+5:41Or praise, or glory.+5:42Lit I know you. ME. Cf TEV. Again, the focus in this context is on character (see translation and notes at Jn 1:48, 2:24-25).+5:42Lit within you (the “you” here is plural). ME. Cf NIV, TEV.+5:43ME(H)/IT (see UBSHS [Jn], 170; translation and notes at 1 Co 1:10). Cf TEV.+5:43Lit If another, or If someone else.+5:43Cf Is 9:13-16; Jr 5:31, 6:13, 14:14, 23:9-39, 27:10-15, 29:9; Ezk 13:1-19; Mic 3:5.+5:44Or glory, or praise.+5:44Lit when you receive glory/honor/praise from one another. ME (see translation and note at v 41 above).+5:44Or glory, or praise.+5:47Lit of that one.
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