The Pool of Bethesda

1AFTER these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2Now there is at Jerusalem near the sheep-market a pool, called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porticos. 3In these lay a vast multitude of infirm persons, blind, lame, withered, waiting the motion of the water. 4For occasionally an angel descended into the pool, and put the water into commotion: he therefore who first stepped in after the commotion of the water became well, under whatever complaint he had laboured. 5And there was a certain man there, who had a complaint of thirty years standing. 6Jesus seeing him laid there, and knowing that he had been so for a long while, saith to him, Wilt thou be made sound? 7The infirm man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is disturbed, to cast me into the pool: but when I am coming, another goeth down before me. 8Jesus saith to him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And instantly the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked away: and that day was the sabbath. 10The Jews therefore said to him that was cured, It is the sabbath: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same person said to me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12Then they asked him, Who is the man that said to thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13Now he that was cured knew not who he was: for Jesus had slipped away, a crowd being on the spot. 14After these things Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Take care; thou art made whole: sin no more, lest something worse befall thee. 15The man went, and informed the Jews, that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

The Father and the Son

16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath-day. 17Then Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

18Therefore sought they the more to kill him, because he had not only broken the sabbath, but called God his own Father, setting himself on an equality with God.

19Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing by himself, except what he hath seen the Father do: for whatsoever things he doeth, the same and in the same manner doth the Son. 20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things which he himself doeth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that ye may wonder. 21For as the Father raiseth the dead, and quickeneth them; so also doth the Son quicken whom he pleases. 22For the Father never judgeth any man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son: 23in order that all may honour the Son, just as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, doth not honour the Father who sent him.

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, That he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death into life.

25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, yea, it is now, 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 also to have life in himself; 27and hath given him authority also to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29and they shall come forth; they who have done good actions to the resurrection of life; and they who have been guilty of foul practices, to the resurrection of damnation.

30I am not able to perform any thing by myself: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; for I seek not my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

Testimonies about Jesus

31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32There is another who beareth witness of me, and I know that his witness is true which he witnesseth concerning me.

33Ye sent to John, and he bore testimony to the truth. 34But I receive not testimony from man: but I speak these things, that ye may believe. 35He was a lamp glowing and luminous: and ye were pleased for a time to exult in his light.

36But I have a testimony greater than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me that I should fulfil them, these very works which I am doing, they bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

37And the Father who sent me, himself hath borne witness concerning me. Ye have neither at any time heard his voice, nor seen his form. 38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

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

39Search the scriptures; for ye suppose in them ye have eternal life: and these are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41I receive not glory from men. 42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43I have come in my Father?s name, and ye receive me not: if another come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44How can ye believe, who receiving honour one from another, seek not the honour which cometh from God alone? 45Do not suppose that I shall accuse you to my Father: there is one who is accusing you, even Moses, on whom ye place your hope. 46For if ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for of me did he write. 47But if ye believe not his writings, how will ye believe my words?