The Pool of Bethesda

1Some time after this the feast of the Jews being come, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2now there was at Jerusalem by the sheep-gate a bath, called in Hebrew, Bethesda, which had five portico's. 3where a great number of infirm, blind, lame, and paralytic people lay waiting for the moving of the water: 4(for a messenger went down at certain times into the pool, and agitated the water: the first then that stepped in after this commotion of the water, was cured of whatever disease he had.) 5now a certain man was there, who had been sick eight and thirty years. 6Jesus seeing him lie there, and knowing that he had been sick a long time, said to him, will you be cured? 7the sick man answered him, sir, I have nobody to put me into the pool when the water has been agitated: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8rise, said Jesus to him, take up thy bed, and go your way. 9and immediately the man was healed, and took up his bed, and went his way: but that day being the sabbath, 10the Jews said to him that was cured, it is the sabbath-day; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. 11he answered them, he that cured me said to me, take up your bed and walk. 12then they asked him, who is he that said to you take up your bed and walk? 13and he that was healed, did not know who it was: for Jesus had slip'd away, by favour of the crowd that was there. 14sometime after Jesus met him in the temple, and said to him, you see you were cured: sin no more, lest you suffer something worse. 15then the man departed to acquaint the Jews, that it was Jesus who had cured him.

The Father and the Son

16upon which occasion the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he did such things on the sabbath-day. 17But Jesus answered them, my father works without intermission, and so do I.

18therefore the Jews were the more eager to kill him, because he had not only violated the sabbath, but likewise, because he had said that God was his proper father, making himself equal with God.

19upon which Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself, except he sees the father do it: for whatever he doth, that the son does likewise. 20for the father loveth the son, and sheweth him all that he himself doth: and he will shew him greater works than these, so that you will be surprized. 21for as the father raiseth up the dead, and restores them to life: even so the son gives life to whom he will. 22besides, the father judgeth no man; but hath committed the full power of judging unto the son: 23that all men should honour the son, even as they honour the father, he that honoureth not the son, honoureth not the father who hath sent him.

24I declare unto you, he that heareth my doctrine, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come under condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25I declare unto you, the time is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26for as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the son, to have life in himself; 27and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the son of man. 28let not this surprize you: for the time is coming, when all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and they that have done good, 29shall rise to the possession of life; and they that have done evil, shall rise to their condemnation.

30Of my self I can do nothing: according to my instructions I judge: and my judgment is just; because I do not consult my own will, but the will of the father who hath sent me.

Testimonies about Jesus

31if I testified of my self, my testimony would be suspected. 32there is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony which he gives of me, is true.

33you yourselves sent to John, and he bore witness to the truth. 34not that I need the testimony of men: but this I tell you, for your own security. 35he was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing to be entertain'd for a while with his light.

36but I have a better witness than that of John: for the works which my father hath order'd me to finish, those very works that I do, bear me witness, that 'tis the father who sent me.

37and the father who sent me, hath himself born witness of me, his voice you have never heard, nor ever seen his appearance, 38nor will his Logos abide among you: for tho' he hath sent him, you do not believe him.

The Witness of Scripture
(Luke 16:19–31)

39You search the scriptures, for you think by their means to have eternal life, and they are the very writings which do testify of me. 40yet you will not come to me, that ye may have life. 41I do not by this seek your applause. 42for this I know of you, that you are not possess'd with any love for God. 43I am come in my father's name, and you receive me not: if another should come in his own name, him you will receive. 44how can you believe, who are catching at honour one from another, regardless of that glory that comes from God only? 45don't imagine that I shall accuse you to my father: even Moses himself in whom you confide, will be your accuser. 46for had you believed Moses, you would have believed me: since he has spoke of me in his writings. 47but if you don't believe what he has writ, how should you believe what I say?