Reading for February 13th

 Read John 5.1-18. In 5.1-47: Sabbath sign, controversy and witness. In verses 1-18: Sabbath sign and controversy. In verses 1-2: An unnamed festival is the occasion for a journey to Jerusalem. In verses 3-9a: The seriousness of the man's condition is emphasized, Jesus action is described and evidence of the healing is provided. Jesus made the man "whole" (see 5.6, 11, 14, 15; 7.23). In verse 9b. Only now do we learn it was the sabbath. This transforms the account into a controversy story. In verses 10-15: The Jews, the "authorities" (compare the Pharisees in 9.13-14). On sabbath law, see Ex 20.8-11; 31.12-17; 35.2-3; Lev 23.3; Deut 5.12-13. Carrying a burden was work (see Neh 13.15-21; Jer 17.19-27) and therefore forbidden. on the connection of sin and misfortune, see 9.2. The man healed by Jesus becomes an informer. In verse 16: This is the first act of persecution against Jesus. In verse 17: Asserting that God works on the sabbath was not controversial, but calling God Father and asserting his own continuing work on the sabbath was (see 4.32-34; 5.36; 6.28-29; 9.3-4; 10.25, 37-38; 14.10). In verse 18: Violent action against Jesus recurs (see 7.1, 19-20, 25; 8.37, 40, 49; 10.31-39). Comments or Questions..